Women in Transportation History: Jill E. Brown, Aviation Trailblazer

In 1978, Jill E. Brown made aviation history as the first African American woman to become a pilot for a major U.S. passenger airline. She was born in Baltimore in 1950. Her family owned a farm in West Virginia and, by the time she was nine, Brown had begun operating a tractor there and performing what her father characterized as “men’s work.”  

Brown eventually developed a stronger interest in airborne transportation, however, and — at the age of 17 — joined other members of her family in taking flight lessons. Brown subsequently became the first one in her family to obtain a pilot’s license. The aircraft that she used for her first solo flight was a Piper J-3 Cub.

After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in home economics, Brown became a teacher in Massachusetts. Ultimately, though, she decided to pursue a career in flying instead. This led Brown to join the U.S. Navy in 1974 as a candidate for its flight training program. “The lady is a pilot — and soon to be a Navy pilot,” stated an announcement in the Wichita Eagle. “Twenty-four-year-old Jill Brown is the first black woman to be selected for military training.” (The accompanying photo of her with her parents was taken during this stage of her life.)  

Notwithstanding the extensive media coverage of her enlistment in the Navy, Brown decided that she was not a good fit for this military branch and left with an honorable discharge after only six months. Her hopes for an aviation career remained intact, however. Brown sought employment with Wheeler Airlines, the first black-owned airline to be certified in the United States by the Federal Aviation Administration.

Since there were no pilot vacancies available at Wheeler Airlines when she first applied to work for this airline, Brown was hired initially as a ticket-counter clerk instead. She eventually made her way up through the ranks to become a pilot. As a result of all the time that she spent up in the skies piloting aircraft both on behalf of Wheeler Airlines and when she was off-duty, Brown accrued the 1,200 flying hours needed to fly for a major airline. She was consequently recruited by Texas International Airlines for her pioneering role as the first female African American pilot for a major American airline.

Brown remained with Texas International Airlines for just a year before she left to join the cargo carrier Zantop International Airlines (ZIA). She worked for ZIA until 1985. In 1990, Brown filed a lawsuit against United Airlines after being rejected for employment a total of three times. This case involving alleged discriminatory hiring practices was ruled in favor of United Airlines, and Brown appealed the decision. The case was again decided in favor of United Airlines. In the time since, the now-retired Brown has established herself as a staunch advocate for black aviators and their rights.

Photo Credit: Public Domain

For more information on Jill E. Brown, please check out https://blackpast.org/african-american-history/brown-jill-e-1950/