Female Trailblazers to be Recognized at the Upcoming WAI Conference

Women in Aviation International (WAI) recently announced its three nominees to be inducted into the International Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2025. These three women, including Janet Harmon Bragg, Willa Brown Chappell, and Theresa Claiborne, will be recognized at the 36th Annual WAI Conference.

The first selection, Janet Harmon Bragg, was one of the first Black female pilots in the US. She received her license through Chicago’s Curtiss-Wright Aeronautical School in 1933, moving on to form the Challenger Air Pilots Association. Harmon Bragg, and her husband Cornelious, also founded Coffey School of Aeronautics to provide flight training to many of the pilots that later became the Tuskegee Airmen. Despite being initially denied a commercial license and entry to the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) organization, Harmon Bragg became an inspiration to the Black community.

The second inductee is Willa Brown Chappell, who earned several “firsts” throughout her lifetime. She began flight lessons in 1934 and became the first African American woman to earn a pilots license in America. After World War II started, Brown Chappell also became the first African American woman to receive a commission as a lieutenant in the Civil Air Patrol. She spent her career tirelessly advocating for racial and gender equality, especially within the military.

The third and final Hall of Fame nominee is Theresa Claiborne, the first Black woman to serve as an Air Force pilot, KC-135 pilot, and Air Force flight instructor. Claiborne moved into Reserves in 1988, beginning a career in the airlines in 1990. This made her the first Black female to earn the Captain title of a B787. She recently retired with over 23,000 flight hours and was awarded the 2024 Katharine Wright Trophy from the National Aeronautic Association.

These three women will be honored at WAI’s 36th annual conference in Denver, Colorado. The ceremony is taking place on March 28, 2025 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center.

"We are proud to announce our 2025 International Pioneer Hall of Fame inductees who represent women who have carried the weight of future female aviators on their shoulders as they broke down gender barriers,” stated Lynda Coffman, CEO of WAI. "These trailblazing female aviators proved that women could succeed and contribute to aviation in unique ways.”

FMI: www.wai.org