Patricia Banks collection, 1957-1999

Links

• View catalog record
• View PDF finding aid (35.62 KB)

Creator

Banks, Patricia Noisette.

Location

Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division

Extent

• .2 lin. ft. (1 box)

Scope/Contents Note

Collection of documents relating to Patricia Banks and hergroundbreaking legal case to become one of the first Blackflight attendants. Collection includes newspaper clippingsfrom 1957-1960, her flight attendant's certificate from Capital Airlines and a travel log. Also included is the transcript from her legal suit with the New York State Commission against Discrimination against Capital Airlines. Along with a video about Banks from WNBC News Black History Month, 1997, are print outs of digital photographs and the program booklet from the Black Flight Attendants of America, Inc.'s annual convention in 1999 where she was honored.

Biographical/Historical Note

One of the first black flight attendants, Patricia Banks, a native New Yorker, fought discrimination by filing a lawsuit against Capital Airlines through the New York State Commission Against Discrimination. A graduate of theGrace Downs Air Career School, Banks applied to several airlines companies for a stewardess position, but was repeatedly denied employment. In 1957 she filed a suit against Capital Airlines (which later merged in 1961 with United Airlines), and in 1960 the Commission ruled in her favor and ordered the company to hire her. She has been acknowledged by the Black Flight Attendants of America, Inc. and was featured in an WNBC News segment for being a pioneer in her field.

Controlled Access Terms

• Banks, Patricia Noisette.
• Capital Airlines -- History.
• Flight attendants.
• Flight attendants -- United States.
• Airlines -- United States -- Employees.
• African American women -- Employment.
• African Americans -- Employment.
• African Americans -- Civil rights History -- 20th century.
• Discrimination in employment -- United States.
• United States -- Race relations.