Kimberly Anyadike

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Kimberly Anyadike
GovernorwithTAMstudents (cropped).JPG
Anyadike in 2009
Born1994 (age 29–30)
Compton, California, U.S.A.
Education University of California, Los Angeles
Known forCompleting a transcontinental flight across the United States.

Kimberly Anyadike (born 1994) is an American pilot from Compton, California. In 2009, at the age of 15, she became the youngest African American woman to complete a transcontinental flight across the United States, from Los Angeles, California to Newport News, Virginia. Anyadike was accompanied by an adult safety pilot, and by a retired Air Force pilot who had served with the WWII Tuskegee Airmen. Her plane was autographed by about 50 Tuskegee airmen as she stopped at different cities across the US, and she completed the round-trip journey in a single-engine Cessna 172 in 13 days.

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In 2015, Anyadike received the first Young Aviator's Award from the Tuskegee Airmen in recognition of her achievements. In 2016, she graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with an undergraduate degree.

Early life

Born in 1994, Anyadike grew up in Compton, California. [1] She has an older brother and sister. [2] Her parents are originally from Nigeria, [3] and their surname Anyadike means "eye of the warrior" in the Igbo language. [4] [5]

Anyadike took dance lessons at the Lula Washington Dance Academy, served as a junior lifeguard at Venice Beach for five years, and volunteered as a youth leader at her local church. [3] At a young age, she showed a strong interest in medical science and anatomy; her mother taught her to identify and name all 206 bones in the body. Anyadike later attended science classes at the Charles Drew University Saturday Science Academy, an L.A.-based STEM subjects program for youth ranging in age from preschool to grade 12. [2]

Aviation training

Anyadike took her first flying lessons at the age of 12, attending an after-school aviation program offered by Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum for disadvantaged youths. [6] [7] She was inspired to take lessons after reading about Jonathan Strickland, an earlier participant of the program who became the youngest person to fly a fixed-wing aircraft and a helicopter solo in a single day. [2] Anyadike paid for her flight lessons with "museum dollars" earned by washing airplanes and working odd jobs around the Compton Airport. [1] As part of the program's requirements, she maintained a strong academic record throughout the period. [3]

Despite having a fear of heights, Anyadike says that being in the cockpit of a plane is "an amazing experience". [2]

Transcontinental flight

As Anyadike gradually built up 100 hours of flight time, she conceived the idea of flying across the country. [8] She wanted to inspire other youth, while also honouring the Tuskegee Airmen, an African-American air combat unit that served during World War II. [9] Departing on June 29, 2009, [10] 15-year-old Anyadike flew a single-engine Cessna 172 from Compton, California to Newport News, Virginia and back, completing the journey in 13 days. [6] [2] [7] She was accompanied by adult safety pilot Ronnell Norman, and Major Levi H. Thornhill, an 87-year-old retired U.S. Air Force pilot who had served as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen. [7]

A Cessna 172 aircraft Cessna 172 on final (558933903).jpg
A Cessna 172 aircraft

Anyadike made at least a dozen scheduled stops along the way, and navigated through thunderstorms as she flew across Texas. [11] In Washington, D.C., Congresswoman Laura Richardson came to congratulate the young pilot, and in Tuskegee, Alabama, Mayor Omar Neal proclaimed July 2 to be "Kimberly Anyadike Day". [10] During stops in different cities, Anyadike's plane was autographed by about 50 different Tuskegee Airmen. [6] [2] [11] Major Thornhill acted as Anyadike's representative to make the necessary introductions with regional chapters of the airmen. [8] Although the record had never been officially tracked before her journey, [7] [9] Anyadike is considered the youngest black American woman — and possibly the youngest person of any race or gender — to have successfully piloted a plane coast-to-coast across the United States. [11] [1] [6] [2] [9]

Upon her arrival home on July 11, 2009, Anyadike received an award from the County of Los Angeles, and was personally invited by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to visit the California State Capitol. [10] In May 2015, Anyadike received the Tuskegee Airmen's inaugural Young Aviator's Award in Tuskegee, Alabama, in recognition of her achievements as a pilot. [2] In 2017, Anyadike was interviewed about her transcontinental flight for a special Disney Channel segment for Black History Month entitled 'True Heroes Are Timeless'. [12] [13]

College education

For her college education, Anyadike enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), majoring in physiological science with minors in African-American studies and Spanish. During her senior year, she was also working as a registered emergency medical technician, and was volunteering for her local chapter of the Flying Samaritans to bring medical care to Tijuana, Mexico. [2] She graduated with her undergraduate degree from UCLA in June 2016. [14] When asked about future aspirations, Anyadike has said that she plans to enroll in medical school and become a cardiovascular surgeon. [2] [3]

Family

Anyadike's older sister, Kelly, also took aviation lessons at Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum. [7] [2] In 2008, on her sixteenth birthday, Kelly became the youngest African-American woman to pilot four different fixed-wing aircraft in a single day. [15] [2] [16] In interviews, Anyadike has said that a friendly rivalry with Kelly helped inspire her to complete her own piloting achievements. [17] [7]

Related Research Articles

The Tuskegee Airmen was a group of African American military pilots and airmen who fought in World War II. They formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group (Medium) of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). The name also applies to the navigators, bombardiers, mechanics, instructors, crew chiefs, nurses, cooks, and other support personnel. The Tuskegee airmen received praise for their excellent combat record earned while protecting American bombers from enemy fighters. The group was awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations.

<i>The Tuskegee Airmen</i> 1995 American television film

The Tuskegee Airmen is a 1995 HBO television movie based on the exploits of an actual groundbreaking unit, the first African-American combat pilots in the United States Army Air Corps, that fought in World War II. The film was directed by Robert Markowitz and stars Laurence Fishburne, Cuba Gooding Jr., John Lithgow, and Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roger Terry</span> Tuskeegee airman (1921–2009)

Lt. Roger "Bill" Terry from Los Angeles, California was one of the Tuskegee Airmen. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II. He was dishonorably discharged after the Freeman Field Mutiny.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharpe Field</span> Airport in Tuskegee, Alabama

Sharpe Field is a closed private use airport located six nautical miles northwest of the central business district of Tuskegee, a city in Macon County, Alabama, United States. This airport is privately owned by the Bradbury Family Partnership.

Ida Van Smith was an African-American pilot and flight instructor born in 1917.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Tail Squadron</span> American non-profit organization

The Red Tail Squadron, part of the non-profit Commemorative Air Force (CAF), known as the Red Tail Project until June 2011, maintains and flies a World War II era North American P-51C Mustang. The twice-restored aircraft flies to create interest in the history and accomplishments of the members of the World War II-era 332nd Fighter Group, also known as the Tuskegee Airmen, whose distinctive red markings on the tails of the P-51s they flew during that war, gave the organization its name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spann Watson</span> Tuskegee Airman and US government official (1916–2020

Spann Watson was an American military aviator and civil servant who served with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. He flew over 30 missions in North Africa, Italy and Southern Europe. On March 2007, Watson attended a ceremony in the U.S. Capitol rotunda, where he and other surviving veterans of the Tuskegee Airmen were honored with the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their service. He died on April 15, 2010, aged 93.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. Alfred "Chief" Anderson</span> Tuskegee Airmen flight instructor (1907–1996)

Charles Alfred Anderson Sr., was an American aviator who is known as the Father of Black Aviation. He earned the nickname "Chief" as chief flight instructor of the Tuskegee Airmen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hiram Mann</span> American fighter pilot

Hiram Mann was an American aviator, retired lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force, and member of the Tuskegee Airmen's 332nd Fighter Group, an elite squadron of African-American airmen during World War II. Mann flew forty-eight missions over Europe as a member of the 332nd Fighter Group during the war. Mann was a member of the "Red Tails," as the Tuskegee Airmen were called at the time, so-called because the tails of the P-51D Mustangs flown by the African-American pilots in combat missions were painted crimson red.. Mann nicknamed his own fighter plane "The Iron Lady" after his wife.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mildred Hemmons Carter</span> American aviator (1921–2011)

Mildred Louise Hemmons Carter (1921–2011) was one of the first women to earn a pilot's license through the Civilian Pilot Training Program, making her the first black female pilot in Alabama. Though she was denied admission into the Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Airforce Service Pilots, she was declared an official member of both later in life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter Manning</span> African-American pilot and veteran (1920–1945)

Walter P. Manning (POW) † was an American fighter pilot of the primarily African American Tuskegee Airmen. He flew 50 missions, and was awarded the Air Medal for heroism six times. After being shot down in 1945, he was captured in Austria and subsequently lynched by a mob. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007 along with all other Tuskegee Airmen. Manning is the only known black man to have been lynched in Austria during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lawrence Dickson</span> Tuskegee Airman (1920–1944)

Lawrence Everett Dickson † was an American pilot and a member of the famed group of the World War II-era Tuskegee Airmen. Dickson flew 68 mission in World War II before he was forced to eject from his aircraft over Austria in 1944. Dickson was declared missing in action. On July 27, 2018, Dickson's remains were identified by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Lyle (pilot)</span> Tuskegee Airman (1920–2019)

Flight Officer John Lyle was an American World War II pilot and a member of the famed group of World War II-era African-Americans known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Dickson flew 26 combat missions during WWII. He had a lifelong love of sailing and over the course of his life he owned seven different boats. He was nicknamed Captain Jack for his love of sailing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James H. Harvey</span> American Tuskegee Airman fighter pilot (born 1923)

James Henry Harvey III is a retired United States Army Air Corps/United States Air Force (USAF) officer and former African American fighter pilot who served with 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen, "Red Tails", or among enemy German pilots, Schwartze Vogelmenschen. He is one of the 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen pilots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harold Brown (Tuskegee Airman)</span> Fighter pilot and Tuskegee Airmen POW (1924–2023)

Harold H. Brown was a U.S. Army Air Force officer who served during World War II as a combat fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Brown's P-51C aircraft was shot down in the European Theatre of World War II and he became a prisoner of war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mac Ross</span> Tuskegee Airmen pilot (1912–1944)

Mac Ross was a U.S. Army Air Force officer and combat fighter pilot during World War II. A member of the Tuskegee Airmen, he commanded the 100th Fighter Squadron and served as the Group Operations Officer for the 332nd Fighter Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarence C. Jamison</span> American Tuskegee Airmen fighter pilot (1918–2014)

Clarence Clifford “Jamie” Jamison was a U.S. Army Air Force officer and combat fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron, best known as the all-African American Tuskegee Airmen, "Red Tails," or “Schwarze Vogelmenschen” among enemy German pilots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James T. Wiley</span> Tuskegee Airman (1918–2000)

James Thomas Wiley was a U.S. Army Air Forces/U.S. Air Force officer and combat fighter pilot of the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Pursuit Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen or "Red Tails".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James O. Plinton Jr.</span> U.S. Army Air Force pilot, member of Tuskegee Airmen

James O. Plinton Jr. was a U.S. commercial airline executive, commercial airline entrepreneur, and former U.S. Army Air Corps flight officer, pilot and flight instructor with the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron. Plinton Jr. was one of the first African Americans to serve as an executive for a major U.S. commercial airline.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Herman A. Lawson</span> Tuskegee Airman Fighter Pilot (1916–1995)

Herman Albert "Ace" Lawson was a former Sacramento, California city councilman, Fresno State University football standout, highly decorated U.S. Army Air Force/U.S. Air Force officer, combat fighter pilot, and combat flight instructor with the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Pursuit Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen or "Red Tails". He was one of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Raton, Taki S. (July 4, 2015). "Compton 15-Year-Old Became the Youngest African American Female to Pilot Plane Cross-Country". Milwaukee Courier Weekly Newspaper. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Kendall, Rebecca (February 25, 2016). "UCLA senior has a new flight plan". UCLA Newsroom. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Ogunsina, Bukola (2015-08-17). "Nigeria: Kimberly Anyadike – First African-American Teen to Fly Across the United States". Leadership (Abuja). Retrieved 2017-07-14.
  4. ↑ "Amazing Young Africans: Kimberly Anyadike". Amazing Africa. 2015-08-09. Retrieved 2017-07-29.
  5. ↑ Chinyem, Valentine (August 23, 2015). "Kimberly Anyadike the Nigerian, the first Female African-American Teen to Fly an Airplane". News of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 2017-07-16. Retrieved 2017-07-14.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Miller, Tracy (14 July 2009). "Kimberly Anyadike, 15, becomes youngest African American female to pilot plane cross-country". New York Daily News . Archived from the original on July 29, 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Kimberly Anyadike On Cnn With Kiran Chetry". World News. Retrieved 2017-07-11.
  8. 1 2 Fernandez, Marco (October 1, 2009). "A Dream Takes Wing!". Plane and Pilot. Archived from the original on 2018-11-18.
  9. 1 2 3 Tran, My-Thuan (2009-07-12). "Young pilot's trip across country honors history". The Virginian-Pilot. Archived from the original on 2018-11-15.
  10. 1 2 3 "15 year-old girl has made history by flying 'sea to shining sea'". Jackson Advocate. 2009-07-23. Archived from the original on 2017-07-31.
  11. 1 2 3 "Teen becomes youngest African American female to complete flight across U.S." LA Times Blogs – L.A. NOW. 2009-07-11. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  12. ↑ Scott, Sydney (2017-02-01). "First Look: Disney Channel Launches 'Be Inspired' Programming For Black History Month". Essence. Retrieved 2017-07-12.
  13. ↑ "Black History Month: Inspiring Stories of African Americans to Air on Disney Channel this February". Good Black News. February 5, 2017. Retrieved 2017-07-15.
  14. ↑ Hewitt, Alison (June 10, 2016). "UCLA graduates are told 'the world needs you'". UCLA Newsroom. Retrieved 2017-07-29.
  15. ↑ Airey, Jessica (March 6, 2012). "Kelly Anyadike pilots her way into the Guinness Book of World Records". Biola News. Retrieved 2017-07-30.
  16. ↑ Raton, Taki S. (February 25, 2012). "The sky is no longer the limit, six world records set at 16 years-old". Milwaukee Courier Weekly Newspaper. Retrieved 2017-07-13.
  17. ↑ Defner, Elisabeth (2011-10-01). "Planes on the brain (Kimberly and Kelly Anyadike)". Faces: People, Places, and Cultures. Archived from the original on 2018-11-15.
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