Patricia Banks-Edmiston

Patricia Noisette Banks Edmiston (born April 27, 1937) is an American who was one of the first Black flight attendants. She combated discriminatory practices in the United States by initiating a legal action against Capital Airlines (merged into United Airlines in 1961) via the New York State Commission Against Discrimination. She won the case which led to the start of more airlines employing Black women.

Following her employment as a flight attendant, Banks Edmiston went on to work various roles in the substance abuse prevention industry. She continued her education and received a bachelor's degree from Empire State College. She served on the board of the Black Flight Attendants of America, and in 2010 was accepted into the Black Aviation Hall of Fame.

1954 advertisement for Grace Downs Air Career School, which Banks Edmiston would attend two years later.

Early life and education Patricia Noisette Banks was born in New York City on April 27, 1937 to parents Sadie and Joseph Banks. She graduated from Aquinas High School in 1955. She was interviewed by Mohawk Airlines, Trans World Airlines, and Capital Airlines, but was not selected to move forward in the hiring process.

Legal complaint During the screening process for Capital Airlines, Banks Edmiston initially received a rating of "B+" from the chief hostess, which the company considered to be "accepted for future employment", but her application was later nullified at the request of the director of passenger service.

In 1957, after seeking advice from Adam Clayton Powell Jr., the only Black Congressman from New York at the time, Banks Edmiston decided to take legal action against Capital Airlines. She did so by filing a comprehensive 72-page complaint with the New York State Commission Against Discrimination. The airline, in its defense, contended that the complaint was null and void due to its age, surpassing the 90-day statute of limitations. Furthermore, they claimed that they did not conduct hiring operations in New York. her alma mater, thereby establishing her qualifications. Lastly, Banks Edmiston argued that Capital Airlines indeed engaged in discrimination, noting "they have 570 employed hostesses and not one is a Negro", a pattern that extended to all 1,350 flight-related employees. Her winning of the case resulted in harassment and violent threats at the time, to the point that Edmiston had to seek law enforcement assistance to safeguard her well-being. She was the first African-American stewardess at the airline. She has additionally been honored by the Smithsonian.