Meet Theresa Claiborne, the first Black woman in the U.S Air Force and retired United B787 Captain

Theresa Claiborne retired in May 2024 from United Airlines as captain of the Boeing 787 with 23,000 flight hours. Theresa is a pioneer as the first Black woman pilot in the U.S. Air Force, where she served as the first Black woman to command and instruct in the KC-135 Stratotanker during her seven years on active duty in the military and 13 years in the reserves. When Theresa joined United, she became the airline’s second Black woman pilot and retired as one of less than 200 Black women pilots in the United States and one of 25 at United Airlines. Theresa has won many accolades during her long career, and at WAI2025 in Denver, she was inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Fame during a ceremony and celebration. 

Interview by: Kelly Murphy, WAI Director of Communications 

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