‘Dinner with a Slice of History’ to feature pilot

First U.S. Army African-American female combat intelligence pilot will speak Feb. 28

On Feb. 28, in honor of Black History Month, the International Women’s Air & Space Museum will host “Dinner with a Slice of History” featuring a presentation by Sheila L. Chamberlain.

Chamberlain is the U.S. Army’s first African-American female combat intelligence pilot.

Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the program starting shortly thereafter.

The cost for this event is $17 for IWASM members and $20 for non-members. The museum is located inside Burke Lakefront Airport, 1501 N. Marginal Road in Cleveland.

Those interested in attending can RSVP by calling 216-623-1111 or visiting www.iwasm.org. Seating will be limited.

Chamberlain served on active duty during the Grenada/Panama Invasion and the Persian Gulf War with three tours in the Republic of Korea and Latin America.

Her distinctive military career includes 15 years of service in the U.S. and abroad, two command posts and numerous civilian and military honors including the National Defense Service Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal and The Tuskegee Airmen Blades award, according to a news release.

During flight school she became the sole mentee of Willa Brown Chappell, a historical American aviatrix and the first African-American woman to run for the U.S. Congress.

Prior to leaving the military, she was asked to come before various members of the Congressional House of Representatives Armed Services Committee to give information on why female pilots should be assigned to combat aviation units.

When asked if she wanted to stay to continue her career, she responded “I have survived and hopefully this will open the door for future women who just want to fly for their country,” the release stated.

One year after leaving, the Department of Defense officially declared that women would be allowed to fly combat aviation aircraft throughout the services.

Today, Chamberlain remains politically active and mentors young people toward success including those who seek careers in aviation.