Willa Beatrice Brown Chappell
Personal Information
Born: 1906
Died: 1992
Country of Birth: USA
Nationality: USA
Ethnicity: Black
Education
Curtis-Wright Aeronautical University; Indiana State Teachers college BA 1927; Northwestern University MBA 1937
Professional Life
Field of Study: Aviator
Institution/Corporation: None found
Degrees & Memberships: Member: FAAs Women's Advisory Board (1972); National Negro Airmen Association of America
Awards & Achievements
Awards: 1939 cited in the 76th Congressional Record for her achievements in aviation; 2002 named 1 of 100 Most Influential Women in Aviation & Space, Women in Aviation International; 2003 Kentucky Aviation Hall of Fame; 2010 Distinguished Alumni Award, Indiana State University Alumni Association; 2022 National Aviation Hall of Fame;
Achievements: aviator, lobbyist, teacher, and civil rights activist; first African American woman to earn a pilot's license in the United States (1938) & commercial license (1939); first African American woman to run for the United States Congress (1946 & 1950); first African American officer (Lt) in the Illinois Civil Air Patrol; first woman in the U.S. to have both a pilot's license and an aircraft mechanic's license (1935);1st African-American appointed to the FAAs Women's Advisory Board (1972-75); lobbied the US government to integrate the US Army Air Corps & include African-Americans in Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP)
taught aeronatics & business classes in high school from 1962 until retiring in 1971
the creation of the Tuskegee Airmen has been credited to her training efforts
over 200 men she trained latter became Tuskegee Airmen
tried to join Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) during WWII but was rejected because she was Blak
worked briefly as a teacher after college graduation before relocating to Chicago where she held various secretarial jobs before working as a social worker
returned to teaching 1962 & taught until retiring in 1971
was inspired by Bessie Coleman & organized flyovers & fower drops to her grave in Lincoln Cemetery outside of Chicago
Willa is buried in the same cemetery
1st female enrolled at curtis-Wright Aeronautical University & had to threaten to sue them for discrimination beore they admitted her
learned how to fly at Harlem Field on the south side of Chicago
after marrying Rev. J.H. Chappell (her 3rd marriage) in 1955 she became very active in the West side Community