Friday, March 10, 2017

WANDA DORN - First Black Stewardess For ...


Wanda Dorn - First Black   Stewardess for Ozark Airlines

I was the first Black Stewardess for Ozark Airline, now part of TWA.  Flying southern US routes back in those days, I faced racial, physical and verbal discrimination and actual attacks from fellow stewardesses, employees, passengers and/or airport travelers.  Wanda was working at Playboy Magazine in Chicago when she was hired by Ozark.

Wanda stands next to a DC3 prop jet plane, a 24-seat plane that she flew along with the DC9 and 707.  Later, they were  just putting on the 747 in 1970.  (photoshopped photo above for temporary book cover)

Wanda celebrate following airline training graduation



One of the events I cover in my book - I had to pray and help passengers through an emergency belly landing.  It's all in my book soon to be published: "Welcome Aboard Flight ... We Don't Hire Colored Stewardesses".

Despite the negative unfortunate occurrences, I was excited to be covered by several newspapers and magazines.  I was treated like a celebrity.  It was an honor to have been named "Woman of the Year" by a popular fraternity.

But I will tell all my exciting and difficult experiences in my book.





Airline graduation next day newspaper headline



Airline training graduation photo.   We were lined up by age. Note -  I was fourth from the youngest (smile).

The newspaper writer who took this photo headlined the article: "The Prettiest 'V' I Ever Did See" - I have a photo where we were captured on the stairs in a "V"




#blackwomen  #blackhistory  #blackgirlsrock #yougogirl

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