It’s Black History Month, and today—on the final day of February—we honor a woman whose story deserves to be told far and wide.
Casey Grant was more than a flight attendant; she was a pioneer in the skies, a storyteller of history, and a living example of strength and resilience.
To many, the idea of becoming a flight attendant in the 1970s represented adventure, glamour, and the chance to see the world. But for Black women like Casey Grant, stepping onto an airplane in uniform meant something more profound.
It meant defying odds, fighting discrimination, and proving—day after day—that Black women belonged in aviation just as much as anyone else.
When she walked into Delta Air Lines’ stewardess training class, she was one of only four Black women in a sea of white faces.
She knew she was stepping into history, but she also knew she would have to fight for her place.
Taking Off: The Beginning of a Dream
Born and raised in a time when opportunities for Black women in aviation were nearly nonexistent, Casey Grant always knew she wanted more.
She grew up in an America where airlines were just beginning to integrate their flight crews. While white women had been gracing the aisles of airplanes for decades, Black women were systematically excluded from these roles.
The first Black flight attendant in the U.S., Ruth Carol Taylor, had only been hired in 1958, and even then, she was dismissed from her position within months due to a policy that forced stewardesses to resign if they got married.
Discrimination remained widespread, and many airlines continued to find excuses not to hire Black women.
But by 1971, things were beginning to change—slowly. That year, Casey Grant stepped into her Delta Air Lines stewardess training class, one of only four Black women in her cohort. She knew she was making history, but she also knew it wouldn’t be easy
Flying High, Standing Strong
Photo: Casey Grant
Photo: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Casey Grant in honor of Patricia Banks Edmiston, Patricia Grace Murphy and Eugene Harmond
In the 1970s, being a flight attendant was considered one of the most glamorous jobs a woman could have.
Flight attendants were seen as elegant, poised, and well-traveled. They were treated like celebrities, often receiving VIP access to events, parties, and exclusive experiences.
For Grant, the reality was both exciting and challenging.
Yes, she traveled the world, visiting places most people could only dream of. Yes, she met celebrities, politicians, and world leaders, including three U.S. presidents—Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. She dined in Rome, walked the streets of Paris, and enjoyed the perks of a career that allowed her to see the world.
But beneath the surface, racism and discrimination were still deeply embedded in the airline industry.
- Passengers would sometimes refuse to be served by her.
- Some pilots made it clear that Black flight attendants weren’t welcome in the cockpit.
- There was even a captain who was infamous for his rule: “No n******, no night riders, and no gays in the cockpit.” He didn’t care who heard him, and Black flight attendants had to warn each other when they were scheduled to work with him.
- Then there were the subtle insults—white flight attendants who refused to share a hotel room with their Black colleagues, making up excuses to switch roommates.
- Some would take the first shower in the room, leaving Black flight attendants to either shower last or not at all. Others simply refused to acknowledge their Black coworkers unless it was absolutely necessary.
Sisterhood in the Skies
Despite all of this, Grant did what so many Black women before her had done—she persevered.
She carried herself with dignity, knowing that her presence was bigger than just a job. She was opening doors, proving that Black flight attendants were just as professional, poised, and capable as anyone else.
With quiet resilience, Grant did what so many Black women before her had done—she excelled in a space that wasn’t built for her.
She built friendships, found allies, and carried herself with the kind of dignity that made it impossible to ignore her presence.
She and her fellow Black flight attendants had an unspoken bond.
They warned each other about difficult flights. They whispered advice in airport break rooms. They leaned on one another when the job felt heavy. They weren’t just coworkers—they were a family.
And that’s what made the difference.
“We dealt with it,” Grant once said. “Nobody was going to deny us the job, so we did what we had to do.”
A Career Filled With Adventure
Despite the challenges, Grant loved her job. She embraced the adventure, the excitement, and the once-in-a-lifetime experiences that came with flying.
She met some of the most famous people in the world. She walked through airport terminals with professional athletes like Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan.
She stood in the presence of civil rights icons like Martin Luther King Sr. and Coretta Scott King. She chatted with Maya Angelou, Little Richard, Smokey Robinson, and Duke Ellington.
In many ways, she was a celebrity in her own right.
It was a world of luxury—but for Black flight attendants, it was also a world where they had to fight for respect.
A Life After the Skies
After 35 years in the industry, Grant retired in 2005. But she didn’t stop flying—in fact, she continued to travel the world using her airline privileges, hopping on planes to destinations like Rome, just for a meal at her favorite restaurant.
More importantly, she didn’t stop telling her story.
She knew that the history of Black flight attendants had been erased from mainstream narratives. She knew that the struggles and triumphs of the women and men who came before her deserved to be remembered.
So, she took matters into her own hands.
She wrote Stars in the Sky: Stories of the First African American Flight Attendants, a book that chronicled the untold stories of Black aviation pioneers. She raised funds through crowdfunding, determined to bring these voices to light.
She spoke at aviation museums, schools, and conferences, ensuring that future generations of Black flight attendants would know the shoulders they stood on.
Her mission was clear: to make sure history never forgot the Black women and men who paved the way in aviation.
A Legacy That Will Always Fly High
Today, her impact can be felt in every Black flight attendant who pins on their wings, in every young person who dreams of traveling the world, in every woman who refuses to be told where she does or doesn’t belong.
So as Black History Month comes to a close, let’s remember Casey Grant—not just for the miles she flew, but for the barriers she broke, the stories she told, and the path she paved for so many others to soar.
She wasn’t just a flight attendant. She was a trailblazer. A fighter. A fly girl in every sense of the word. And her story, like the best flights, will never be forgotten. ✈️
