Theresa Mae Claiborne

Overcoming racial and gender barriers to start her career, Theresa Claiborne is the first Black woman qualified as an Air Force pilot, KC-135 pilot, and Air Force flight instructor. Theresa transitioned to the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 1988, and began her commercial airline career in 1990, during which she became the first Black female to earn the captain position of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. A woman of many firsts, she joined other Black female pilots in 2016 to establish Sisters of the Skies. Theresa recently retired from a commercial flying career with over 23,000 hours and is the 2024 Katharine Wright Trophy recipient from the National Aeronautic Association. She is dedicated to inspire anyone who previously did not have the door open for them.