Black Women Breaking Barriers, by Briana Armstrong by Briana

Black Women Breaking Barriers, by Briana Armstrong by Briana - October 2026 Scholarship Essay

A research topic that continuously sparks my curiosity is the percentage of African American women working in the aviation industry. Data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) shows that 0.5 percent of professional pilots in the U.S. are African American women. I wanted to further understand how many Black women pursue careers in aviation and why they remain underrepresented in fields such as piloting, aerospace engineering, and air traffic control. As I researched this topic, I became interested not only in the statistics but also in the systematic barriers that have made it more difficult for Black women to enter and succeed in this field.
Aviation has historically been a predominantly white, male-dominated industry. This made me question how society, discrimination, and unequal opportunities have influenced who gets to participate in aviation. Black women have often faced the combined effects of racism and sexism, which can create barriers that others may not experience. These challenges include limited access to flight training because of its high cost, fewer mentorship opportunities, discrimination in educational and professional settings, and a lack of Black women in leadership positions. When people do not see others who look like them represented in a field, they may also struggle to envision themselves pursuing similar careers.The low representation of Black women in aviation is not simply a result of individual choices. It is also connected to historical inequalities and systems that have made access to education, resources, professional networks, and career advancement more difficult. In an industry where white men have traditionally held many positions of influence, challenging stereotypes and creating equal opportunities are important steps toward changing this particular statistic.
My research also introduced me to Black women who have overcome these obstacles and made significant contributions to aviation. Their stories showed me the importance of perseverance, representation, and creating opportunities for future generations.This broadened my understanding of the influence of social systems on what seem to be accessible career options. Statistics are more than numbers, they can reveal inequalities that deserve attention. Ultimately, researching Black women in aviation encouraged me to question existing barriers and recognize the importance of diversity, mentorship, and equal access. It also inspired me to consider how the industry can become more inclusive for future generations, and how important it is to me to be a future leader in the Aviation industry so little black girls see the skies as a place where they belong.