She strode into
a newspaper office wearing white jodhpurs, jacket and boots - the typewriters
went silent - the year 1936.
- Willa Brown
They thought she was a model but she announced "I'm Willa Brown, an Aviatrix. " Oh, she was much more…
She earned a Master Mechanic's Certificate, an MBA from Northwestern University, and her private pilot's license. She was the only woman in 1943 to possess a Mechanic's and Commercial license in Aviation.
She was co-founder of the National Airmen's Association of America. In 1939 as Director of the Coffey School of Aeronautics, she lobbied Congress and helped draft the legislation which was passed that allowed African Americans in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. The school's integrated program successfully trained over 2,000 pilots - many of who went on to become Tuskegee Airmen.