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#Onthisday in 1968, sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos clenched their fists in protest during the Mexico City Olympics. Their gesture attracted the attention of international audiences and gained support from around the world, however, Smith and Carlos were ostracized at home. Peter Norman, the Australian silver medalist, also joined the protest in solidarity by wearing an Olympic Project for Human Rights (OPHR) badge on his uniform.

During the medal ceremony for the 200-meter sprint, Smith and Carlos dressed in black socks and no shoes as a symbol for African American Poverty, a black glove symbolizing unity and strength, and a scarf and beads in honor of lynching victims. They bowed their heads and raised their fists as the United States National Anthem played. Following the protest, the U.S. Olympic Committee suspended the two athletes. #APeoplesJourney #ANationsStory

Willa Beatrice Brown trained pilots for the U.S. Army Air Forces, and was the first African American woman to become a lieutenant in the U.S. Civil Air Patrol.

Eugene Ballard was the first African American military pilot. He served with the French Foreign Legion in World War I, and was awarded top French medals for his service, including the Légion d’honneur and Croix de Guerre.

Bessie Coleman was the first African American woman to earn a pilot’s license.  Given that she was not able to do so in the United States, she completed flight training in France and was awarded her Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (F.A.I.; international pilot’s license) license on June 15, 1921. 

The Maker of Pilots: Aviator and Civil Rights Activist Willa Beatrice Brown

Jennifer Johnson, Curator, National Archives Traveling Exhibits Service at the National Archives in Kansas City l  Rediscovering Black History Blog

Willa Beatrice Brown is featured in the nationwide traveling exhibit One Half of the People: Advancing Equality for Women.

Brown was a woman who achieved great success despite having limited access and opportunities given to her. She was the first African-American woman to earn a commercial pilot’s license in the United States.

In 1939, Brown became a co-founder of the National Airmen’s Association of America, joined the Challenger Air Pilot’s Association, and purchased her own airplane within one year. 

In 1941, Willa B. Brown became the first African-American officer in the U.S. Civil Air Patrol and was commissioned as a Lieutenant. 

Brown made a career in an industry that at a time was thought unfit for a woman and for an African American. She provided a pathway for men and women that would follow her.

Before me.

“Little Panthers” - 1960’s

“We must see our young people as the seeds of tomorrow’s harvest. If we lose them we will lose the future.” - Dr. John Henrik Clarke

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