Kimberly Anyadike facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kimberly Anyadike
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Anyadike in 2009
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| Born | February 1, 1994 Compton, California, U.S.A.
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| Education | University of California, Los Angeles |
| Known for | Completing a transcontinental flight across the United States. |
Kimberly Ndidi Anyadike was born on February 1, 1994. She is an American pilot from Compton, California. In 2009, when she was just 15 years old, Kimberly made history. She became the youngest African American woman to fly a plane all the way across the United States.
Her amazing journey went from Los Angeles, California to Newport News, Virginia. Kimberly flew with an adult safety pilot and a retired Air Force pilot. This pilot had served with the brave Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. Her plane was even signed by about 50 Tuskegee Airmen during her stops! She completed the round-trip flight in a small, single-engine Cessna 172 plane. The whole trip took her 13 days.
In 2015, Kimberly received the first Young Aviator's Award from the Tuskegee Airmen. This award recognized her incredible achievement. She later graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2016.
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Kimberly's Early Life
Kimberly Anyadike grew up in Compton, California. She was born in 1994 and has an older brother and sister. Her parents are from Nigeria. Their family name, Anyadike, means "eye of the warrior" in the Igbo language.
As a child, Kimberly was very active. She took dance lessons and was a junior lifeguard at Venice Beach. She also volunteered at her local church. Kimberly was very interested in medical science. Her mother even taught her to name all 206 bones in the human body! She also attended science classes at the Charles Drew University. This program teaches STEM subjects to young people.
Learning to Fly
Kimberly started taking flying lessons when she was 12. She joined an after-school aviation program. This program was offered by Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum for young people. She was inspired by Jonathan Strickland. He was another student who became the youngest person to fly both a plane and a helicopter alone in one day.
Kimberly paid for her lessons by earning "museum dollars." She earned these by washing airplanes and doing other small jobs. The program also required her to keep good grades in school. Even though she had a fear of heights, Kimberly says flying a plane is "an amazing experience."
Her Transcontinental Flight
Kimberly slowly built up 100 hours of flight time. Then, she thought of flying across the entire country. She wanted to inspire other young people. She also wanted to honor the Tuskegee Airmen. These were African-American pilots who fought bravely in World War II.
On June 29, 2009, 15-year-old Kimberly began her flight. She flew a single-engine Cessna 172 from Compton, California. Her destination was Newport News, Virginia, and back. The round trip took her 13 days. She was joined by Ronnell Norman, an adult safety pilot. Also with her was Major Levi H. Thornhill, an 87-year-old retired U.S. Air Force pilot. Major Thornhill was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen.
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Kimberly made about a dozen planned stops along her route. She even flew through thunderstorms over Texas. In Washington, D.C., Congresswoman Laura Richardson congratulated her. In Tuskegee, Alabama, Mayor Omar Neal declared July 2 to be "Kimberly Anyadike Day." During her stops, about 50 different Tuskegee Airmen signed her plane. Major Thornhill helped her meet these important pilots.
Kimberly is considered the youngest black American woman to fly coast-to-coast. She might even be the youngest person of any race or gender to do so.
When she arrived home on July 11, 2009, Kimberly received an award. The County of Los Angeles honored her. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger also invited her to the California State Capitol. In May 2015, she received the Tuskegee Airmen's first Young Aviator's Award. In 2017, Kimberly was interviewed by the Disney Channel. This was for a special Black History Month segment called 'True Heroes Are Timeless'.
College and Future Plans
Kimberly went to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She studied physiological science. She also minored in African-American studies and Spanish. During her last year, she worked as an emergency medical technician. She also volunteered with the The Flying Samaritans. This group brings medical care to Tijuana, Mexico.
Kimberly graduated from UCLA in June 2016. She plans to go to medical school. Her goal is to become a cardiovascular surgeon.
Kimberly's Family
Kimberly's older sister, Kelly, also took aviation lessons. She trained at Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum. In 2008, on her sixteenth birthday, Kelly made her own record. She became the youngest African-American woman to fly four different types of planes in one day. Kimberly has said that a friendly competition with Kelly helped inspire her to achieve her own flying goals.
