Ruth Carol Taylor, a nurse, became the first #Black flight attendant when she was hired by #MohawkAirlines in December 1957. She applied earlier for a job at #TWA but was rejected. #BHM #blacksinaviation /1


Taylor filed a complaint with the NY State Commission Against Discrimination. State authorities also persuaded Mohawk to hire women of color. Mohawk accepted 800 applications, from which Taylor was chosen. #BHM #blacksinaviation /2


TWA, facing nine complaints, #relented and hired Margaret Grant as its 1st #Black flight attendant in 1958. However Taylor was let go after 6 months because she married; the #airlines still discriminated against marriage back then. #BHM #blacksinaviation /3


#Airlines didn’t hire many #Black flight attendants by #airlines until the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed. Flight attendants fought for their rights as women and against age, race and marriage restrictions. #BHM #blacksinaviation /4


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