Monday, March 02, 2009
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On February 12, 2009, Captain Rachelle Jones and First Officer Stephanie Brown Grant made history for being the first all African-American female crew to operate a commercial jet revenue flight Atlantic Southeast Airlines(ASA). |
ATLANTA -- Four African American women made history this month when they took an ASA flight from Atlanta to Nashville. They weren't passengers. They were the nation's first all black all female flight crew.
Meet airline captain Rachelle Jones, first officer Stephanie Grant, and flight attendants Diana Galloway and Robin Rogers. When they worked that ASA flight from Atlanta to Nashville they never expected to make history. In fact, it was a matter of chance.
"The first officer became ill and was replaced with Stephanie," said Galloway.
"When I got to the cockpit and I saw Rachelle -- we just met a few weeks prior," Grant said. "And I was just ecstatic when I saw her in there."
"We did not realize the historic ramifications of it," Rogers said. "We were just like, okay this is gonna be fun."
But Captain Rachelle Jones got it right away. She and Grant in the cockpit, Galloway and Rogers in the cabin -- all black, all female.
"I said this could be a first, so let's be on our P's and Q's," Jones said.
"I think we had a little more pep in our step," said Galloway. "I think we were just so proud."
They took a lot pictures because their history just happened to be during Black History Month.
"I'm still tingling about it," said Rogers. "This is great. It's spectacular."
"It still hasn't hit me now," said Jones. "I was just excited. I called my mom, my family and said guess what happened today."
Jones is one of only ten black female airline captains in the country. She used to be a customer service agent for Delta. Piloting was never on her radar until a friend suggested it.
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Atlantic Southeast Airlines Captain Rachelle Jones completed her upgrade traning in April 2008 and has now become the airlines first African- American female Captain. |
"And it paid off -- and this was my goal -- to be here where I am today," she said. "And I'm so happy at what I've accomplished."
As little girls, they'd never seen anyone who looked like them piloting a plane. Now for other little girls, they're proof you really can be whatever you want to be.
"Fate may have a little bit to do with it, but for everyone that will look at us as role models or look to aspire to be what we are today, they need to know that it was hard work and dedication to get here," Grant said.
"Young girls need to see that yes they can be flight attendants and yes they can be pilots," said Jones. "The sky is the limit."
Atlantic Southeast Airlines has three black female pilots. Only one has made Captain so far.
People are invited to congratulate the crew at http://www.flyasa.com/contact/crew-contact.php
Source: 11Alive.com Mar 02, 2009