The "first black flight attendant" is not a straightforward designation. History will probably award the "first" title to Patricia Edminston-Banks who applied to Capital airlines in 1956. Her initial interview went well, but she was turned down because of race. Patricia spent four years in court, ultimately winning the battle when Capital was compelled to hire her (or face contempt of court). During her four year battle Mohawk hired Ruth, and TWA also hired a black flight attendant, probably to avoid litigation. All three women have a claim to being "first."
Ultimately, ALL the early "negro stewardesses" deserve the honor of being remembered as courageous women who fought for the right to fly at a time when segregation and civil rights were being fought in the streets of America. Remember, it was not until 1964 that President Johnson announced the Civil Rights legislation that made segregation illegal in the US. It was several more years before segregation was actually ended. These women were in the vortex of that fight.
We have the great honor of having Patricia on our podcast radio show February 5 at 1 PM EST, along with several other women who worked as flight attendants in those early days. They are members of BFAOA -- Black Flight Attendants of America, Inc.
You can tune in live at
www.skysteward.info You can listen anytime to the archived show (or download the podcast at iTunes).