(AURN News) — On this day, Feb. 11, 1958, Ruth Carol Taylor made history as the first African-American flight attendant in the United States, breaking the color barrier in commercial aviation on a Mohawk Airlines flight.
A Boston native and graduate of the Bellevue School of Nursing, Taylor worked as a nurse before pursuing a career in aviation. After Trans World Airlines rejected her application, she filed a complaint with the New York State Commission Against Discrimination.
Mohawk Airlines hired her in December 1957, selecting her from more than 800 Black applicants.
Though her tenure lasted only six months — she was forced to resign because airline rules required stewardesses to be unmarried — her impact was lasting. Three months later, TWA hired its first Black flight attendant.
Taylor passed away in 2023.
Click play to listen to the AURN News report from Clay Cane. Follow @claycane & @aurnonline for more.
The post Ruth Carol Taylor Breaks Aviation Color Barrier on This Day in 1958 appeared first on American Urban Radio Networks.
