| Willa Beatrice Brown Chappell, 1906-1992 born Glasgow, Kentucky. Aviator, politician, educator and activist, Willa Brown gleaned strength and inspiration from the life work of Bessie Coleman. Willa was instrumental in establishing the Coffey School of Aeronautics and in doing so, fulfilled Bessie's long standing dream of an all black flying school. With a master's degree from Northwestern University and a Master Mechanic's Certificate, Willa became the first African American woman to earn a commercial pilot's license. She was the first woman to fly with the Illinois Air Patrol. She was also the first African American to achieve an officer's rank in the Civil Air Patrol and lead the fight to integrate African Americans into the U.S. Army Corp. |
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