Women in Aviation International (WAI) has selected the 2025 inductees for its International Pioneer Hall of Fame. These three female trailblazers will be honored at the 36th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference during a ceremony and celebration dinner at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center in Denver, Colorado, on Friday, March 28, 2025.
The 2025 Pioneer Hall of Fame inductees are:
Janet Harmon Bragg
The late Janet Harmon Bragg became one of America’s first Black female pilots after enrolling in Chicago’s Curtiss-Wright Aeronautical School in 1933. There she helped form the Challenger Air Pilots Association, which later became the National Airmen’s Association of America (NAAA). Janet and her husband Cornelius established the Coffey School of Aeronautics training many pilots who became members of the Tuskegee Airmen. Janet’s career in aviation was made despite discrimination, of both her gender and her race. As a woman, she was initially denied a commercial license, after passing the flight test at the Tuskegee pilot training school. As a person of color, Janet was denied entry into the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) program.
Willa Brown Chappell
Willa Brown Chappell achieved numerous firsts. Most notably, she was the first African American woman to earn her pilot license in the United States. Willa also earned a mechanic license, making her the first woman to hold both. Additionally, she was the first African American woman Congressional candidate, and the first African American officer in the U.S. Civil Air Patrol. She dedicated her life to fighting for gender and racial equality in the military lobbying for integration of the U.S. Army Air Corps and the Civilian Pilot Training Program. She is also a co-founder of the Cornelius Coffey School of Aeronautics, the first private flight school owned and operated by African Americans. She is responsible for the training of hundreds of pilots, including many who became part of the elite Tuskegee Airmen.
Theresa 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.
“We are proud to announce our 2025 International Pioneer Hall of Fame inductees who represent women who have carried the weight of future female aviators on their shoulders as they broke down gender barriers,” says Lynda Coffman, WAI CEO. “These trailblazing female aviators proved that women could succeed and contribute to aviation in unique ways.”
The Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame was established in 1992 to honor women who have made significant contributions as record setters, pioneers, or innovators. Special consideration is given to individuals or groups who have helped other women be successful in aviation or opened doors of opportunity for other women. Each year, the organization solicits nominations from throughout the aviation industry for the WAI Pioneer Hall of Fame.
