M'Lis Ward facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
M'Lis Ward
|
|
|---|---|
| Born |
Melissa Ward
|
| Alma mater | University of Southern California (BBA) |
| Employer | United Airlines |
| Known for | First female African-American commercial passenger airline captain |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
 Air Force |
Melissa "M'Lis" Ward is a very important pilot for United Airlines. She made history by becoming the first African-American woman to be a captain of a commercial passenger airplane. This means she was in charge of flying big planes full of people! Her mom, Anne B. Ward, was also a pioneer, being one of the first two Black women to graduate from a famous medical school.
Contents
M'Lis Ward: A Pioneer in Aviation
M'Lis Ward is known for breaking barriers in the world of aviation. Her journey shows how hard work and dedication can lead to amazing achievements. She has inspired many people to follow their dreams, especially in fields like aviation that were not always open to everyone.
Growing Up and Learning
M'Lis Ward grew up in the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. She went to Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, a well-known school in the city. After high school, she earned a special scholarship from the Air Force ROTC. This scholarship helped her go to college.
She studied at the University of Southern California, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree. This degree came from the Marshall School of Business.
Flying for the Air Force
After college, M'Lis Ward joined the United States Air Force. This was a big step in her flying career. In the Air Force, she became an instructor-pilot. This meant she taught other pilots how to fly the T-37 aircraft. She also served as a First Pilot on the C141, which is a large military transport plane. Her time in the Air Force gave her a lot of experience flying different types of aircraft.
Becoming a Commercial Airline Captain
In November 1992, M'Lis Ward started working for United Airlines in Chicago. She began as a second officer on DC-10 airplanes. A second officer helps the main pilots in the cockpit.
After nine months, she became a first officer on Boeing 737-200 planes. She flew these planes out of San Francisco. In June 1995, she moved to flying 727s out of Denver.
A big moment in her career came in 1998. M'Lis Ward was promoted to Captain on the Boeing 737-300. This made her the first African-American female captain in commercial passenger aviation. Later, in 2010, she became a captain on the Airbus 319 and 320 planes.
M'Lis Ward also became the first African-American female to be an Evaluator and FAA Designee for United Airlines. This means she helps test and approve other pilots, making sure they meet the high standards set by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Beyond the Cockpit
Outside of flying, M'Lis Ward also coached basketball. She coached at Dakota Ridge High School in Littleton, Colorado. This shows her dedication to helping others and being part of her community.
