Born: 1906 (Glasgow, Kentucky)
Biography:
Willa Beatrice Brown was an influential American aviator, lobbyist, teacher, and civil rights activist. Born on January 22, 1906, in Glasgow, Kentucky, she led a remarkable life filled with groundbreaking achievements and tireless advocacy for gender and racial equality in the field of aviation.
Brown’s passion for education and learning led her to graduate from Wiley High School in Terre Haute, Indiana. In 1927, she graduated from Indiana State Teachers College with a bachelor’s degree, and later, she earned an M.B.A. from Northwestern University in 1937. Armed with solid academic credentials, Brown embarked on a teaching career and worked at Emerson High School’s Roosevelt Annex in Gary, Indiana, from 1927 to 1932.
In 1934, Brown’s life took a transformative turn when she crossed paths with John C. Robinson, who introduced her to the Challenger Air Pilots Association, a group of African American pilots. This encounter ignited her interest in aviation and set her on a path to become an aviation pioneer. She began her studies at Chicago’s racially segregated Harlem Field, where she trained under the guidance of certified flight instructor Cornelius Coffey. Coffey, an expert in aviation mechanics, inspired Brown with his expertise and determination. Undeterred by societal barriers, she became one of the few women to attend Curtiss-Wright Aeronautical University, where she studied aircraft maintenance. Her dedication paid off in 1935 when she earned an aircraft mechanic’s license, distinguishing herself as the first African American woman in the United States to achieve this feat.
Driven by her ambition, Brown’s next goal was to become a licensed pilot. In 1938, she realized this dream by earning her private pilot’s license. One year later, in 1939, she earned her commercial pilot’s license, making her the first African American woman in the United States to hold either type of license. These accomplishments shattered racial and gender barriers, blazing a trail for aspiring aviators of color and inspiring future generations.
Brown’s contributions to the aviation industry extended far beyond her historic licenses. Together with Cornelius Coffey, she co-founded the Coffey School of Aeronautics, a pioneering flight training academy owned and operated by African Americans. Established in Chicago, this institution held the distinction of being the first of its kind in the United States. Brown’s dedication to training pilots paved the way for several of her students to become renowned Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen, an elite group of African American pilots who served in World War II, owe their formation to Brown’s relentless efforts in training and preparing them for military service.
Even after the Coffey School closed its doors in 1945, Brown remained active in her advocacy for political and social change. In 1946 and 1950, she ran in Congressional primary elections, demonstrating her commitment to breaking barriers and fighting for the rights of marginalized individuals. Throughout her career, she also taught in the Chicago Public School System until her retirement in 1971 at the age of 65.
Beyond her work in education and aviation, Brown continued to shape the future of the aviation industry by serving on the Federal Aviation Administration’s Women’s Advisory Committee until 1974. Her contributions to aviation advocacy and her relentless pursuit of gender and racial equality earned her a prominent place in the annals of African American and women’s history.