Captain Theresa M. Claiborne

Captain Theresa M. Claiborne attended the University of California at Berkeley for Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC). On June 20, 1981, she was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. 

She graduated from Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, TX on September 16, 1982 in Class 82-08 as the first African American female pilot in the U. S. Air Force. 

On January 15, 1990, Theresa joined United Airlines as a pilot on a Boeing 727. She has since been qualified on and flown a Boeing 737, 747, 757, and 767. She is currently flying as a Captain on the 757/767 and has accumulated a total of over 15,000 civilian flying hours. She is one of 14 African American female pilots at United Airlines. 

Captain Claiborne is the founding President of Sisters of the Skies, a non profit 501 (3)(c) organization with the mission of developing pathways and partnerships to increase the number of black women in the professional pilot career field.

Please share our mission and opportunities for future aviators!

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