Patricia Noisette Banks Edmiston reflects on being one of the first Black commercial airline flight attendants
NEW YORK -- Black history is American history.
CBS2 is shining a light on Patricia Noisette Banks Edmiston, one of the first Black flight stewardesses for a commercial airline in the United States.
Becoming one wasn't an easy feat for Edmiston and was met with racial discrimination and backlash.
We recently sat down with the history maker to learn more on her impactful life and the message she has for those following in her footsteps.
Edmiston graciously invited CBS2 to her apartment. She is recognized by the Smithsonian and the Black Aviation Hall of Fame as one of the first African-American flight stewardesses in the country.
She was asked to harken back to the 1950s, when she ultimately got her start in the airline industry, a move that wasn't easy.
"I was in Queens College at the time. I saw an article in a fashion magazine about an airline school. I knew back in those days African-American people didn't have the opportunity to travel that much, so when I saw the article, I said this would be a great opportunity," Edmiston said.
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She applied and got accepted to the then-Grace Downs Air Career School in 1956, but when she got there she noticed something.
"There were no other students of Black history. It was very interesting because one of the funniest things that took place was the makeup class. They put white makeup on my face," Edmiston said. "Can you imagine me traveling home on the train trying to get home with this white face?"
Little did Edmiston know at the time that was one of many peculiar and life-changing experiences she would face. She went on to graduate with high marks from Grace Downs that same year before applying for a flight attendant position at Trans World, Mohawk and Capital airlines, but she was informed by a chief hostess at Capital Airlines that the company didn't hire black people in flight capacities.
"African-Americans, or Negroes, we were called Negroes back then, you don't know that this racism exist until you apply for a job," Edmiston said. "And that's what happened with me."
When asked how long it took from the time she applied to the time she finally heard a response from any of the airlines she mentioned, Edmiston said, "I didn't."
Edmiston consulted with Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and filed a complaint against Capital Airlines with the New York State Commission Against Discrimination. in 1960, the state ruled in Edmiston's favor and ordered Capital Airlines to hire her within 30 days or it would go to the Supreme Court.
But when people found out about the state ruling, "I began to get all kinds of letters. I was threatened to be raped. I was threatened to be murdered. It got so that the police had to know my schedule," Edmiston said.
Through the hardship, Edmiston was credited as the first Black person to work as a flight attendant on a commercial airline for a Southern carrier, in 1960.
"The historical weight is beautiful, but I think the most important part is that the barrier was broken. I always said it didn't have to be me, but that it was going to be a Black woman," Edmiston said.
And so it was. Pictures, documents, even one of the first Black Barbie dolls was created after her. Edmiston is clearly a game changer.
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When asked if what she has accomplished in her life has fully resonated with her, Edmiston said, "I'm blessed by god. I'm truly blessed. That makes me cry because I have been blessed in my lifetime. I have two wonderful children, seven wonderful grandchildren. Life has its ups and downs, but you come through it."
The 85-year-old powerhouse has won awards for her achievements, including being inducted into the Black Aviation Hall of Fame at the National Civil Rights Museum, and has honors at the Smithsonian.
Fun fact -- she also holds a black belt in martial arts.
As for what she wants the public to take away from her story, Edmiston said, "I get emotional with this because a lot of our Black children need to know they can do it. They can go to school. You can finish. You can accomplish and attain your goals."
Edmiston soared above the clouds and made it possible for others to live their dreams and fly high.
