Shirley Tyus

Shirley Tyus (born June 28, 1950) was the first African American female pilot to fly for United Airlines.

Early life and family Shirly Tyus was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She was raised by her parents, Martin Bullock and Marcelle Suber in Buffalo New York.

Career Tyus' aviation career began as a United Airlines flight attendant in 1972. While working as a flight attendant, she took a second job with a commuter airline out of North Carolina. After five years, Tyus began spending her breaks in the cockpit, talking shop with the pilot crew. In 1977, she enrolled in flight training at the Professional Flight School in Friendly, Maryland. After completing this advanced training, Tyus began flying for United Airlines. Tyus is the vice president of the Bessie Coleman Foundation, Inc. The BCF was founded in 1995 by a group of African American women involved in the aviation industry.

Tyus has appeared on several television programs and has been featured in newspaper and magazine articles, including the Washington Post, Washington Times, Ebony, Jet, and West African publications. Tyus volunteers with the Ariolina Young Aviators in Durham, North Carolina.