TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — She was the first African American woman to get both a private and commercial pilot’s license in the United States.
Now, there is a local exhibit to celebrate this hometown heroine.
Friday the Terre Haute Regional Airport unveiled the Willa Beatrice Brown Display and Experience.
Willa Brown was the first African American woman on the Women’s Advisory Committee of the Federal Aviation Administration. She also broke non-aviation-related barriers as she was also the first African American woman to run for congress.
Local historian Dr. Crystal Reynolds along with community sponsors brought the display to fruition. She says they were excited to unveil their hard work to guests Friday including the family of Willa Brown.
This means a lot because we’re proud of Willa, and proud of Terre Haute. This is an airport and when people fly in from all over the world, the first thing they will see when they get off the plane will be Willa Brown.
Dr Crystal Reynolds
Brown went to high school in Terre Haute and received her teaching license from Indiana State Normal School, later known as ISU. She was a mentor to many, including the Tuskegee Airmen.
