First African-American Female Combat Intelligence Pilot To Speak As Part Of The Museum's 'Dinner With A Slice Of History' Series

On February 28, 2020, in honor of Black History Month, the International Women’s Air & Space Museum (IWASM) will host Dinner with a Slice of History featuring a special presentation by Dr. Sheila L. Chamberlain, the Army’s first African-American female combat intelligence pilot.? Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the program beginning shortly thereafter.

Dr. Sheila L. Chamberlain pursued a United States Army career and became the Army’s first African-American female combat intelligence pilot. She served on active duty during the Grenada/Panama Invasion and the Persian Gulf War with three tours in the Republic of Korea and Latin America. She is a General George C. Marshall Award Winner and Distinguished Military Graduate (Georgia Tech); graduate of the US Army Counterintelligence Human Intelligence Course, US Army Aviation Flight School, Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Schools, Joint Aerospace Command and Control Course, Army Combined Arms Service Staff College and the Marine Corp Command and General Staff College.

Dr. Chamberlain’s distinctive military career includes 15 years of service in the U.S. and abroad, two command posts and numerous civilian and military honors including the National Defense Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal and The Tuskegee Airmen Blades award. During flight school she became the sole mentee of the famous Willa Brown Chappell, the first African-American woman to run for the U.S. Congress and historical American Aviatrix. Dr. Chamberlain later became a member of the Fort Rucker Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated.

Later in her career, her unit was sent to stabilize South Florida after the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew. It was during her time in South Florida that she decided to leave the Army. Prior to leaving, she was asked to come before various members of the Congressional House of Representatives Armed Services Committee to give information on why female pilots should be assigned to combat aviation units. When asked if she wanted to stay to continue her career, she responded “I have survived and hopefully this will open the door for future women who just want to fly for their country.” One year after leaving, the Department of Defense officially declared that women would be allowed to fly combat aviation aircraft throughout the services.

Today, Dr. Chamberlain remains politically active and mentors young people toward success including those who seek careers in aviation.

The 2020 Dinner with a Slice of History series is made possible from the residents of Cuyahoga County through a grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. The cost for this event is $17 for IWASM members and $20 for non-members. The museum is located inside Burke Lakefront Airport (KBKL). Seating will be limited.

(Image provided with IWASM news release)

FMI: www.iwasm.org