trailblazing American aviator: Beverley Bass breaks barriers in aviation industry within U.S. territory
In the heart of Fort Myers, Florida, a young woman named Beverley Bass dreamt of soaring through the skies. After graduating from high school in 1970 and receiving her bachelor's degree in 1974, Bass's dream became a reality when she was recruited by American Airlines in October 1976[4].
At the tender age of 24, Bass embarked on her flying career with American Airlines[1]. Ten years later, she made history as American Airlines' first female Captain[2]. Her journey in the cockpit was not just a flight, but a trailblazing path for women in aviation.
On September 11, 2001, Bass found herself in a situation that would etch her name in history once more. The flight she led was forced to land at Gander International Airport in Newfoundland as part of the emergency grounding of aircraft during the 9/11 attacks[1][3]. Gander Airport became an unexpected safe haven as numerous flights—eventually 38—were diverted there, bringing thousands of passengers, including Bass and her crew, to the remote town.
The landing at Gander is significant because it exemplified the unprecedented disruption of global air travel and highlighted the leadership, calm, and humanity Bass displayed during the crisis[1][2][3]. This event has been memorialized in various artistic works, including the Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away, which portrays Bass’s experience and the community’s hospitality during those extraordinary circumstances[2][3].
Bass's career spanned an impressive 32 years[3]. Today, her legacy continues to inspire women around the world. She continues her work with the organization she founded, dedicated to empowering female aviators worldwide[5].
Bass's philosophy is simple yet powerful: "Women can fly!"[6]. This mantra resonates not just in the aviation industry but also in her personal life. Her daughter, following in her mother's footsteps, is a pilot for American Eagle[6].
In her retirement, Bass remains a world-renowned pioneering pilot, her name synonymous with courage, resilience, and determination[7]. Despite the challenges she faced, Bass's spirit remains undeterred, a testament to her indomitable spirit.
References:
[1] History.com Editors. (2020, September 11). September 11 attacks: Timeline. History.com. https://www.history.com/news/september-11-attacks-timeline
[2] Come From Away. (n.d.). About the Show. Come From Away. https://comefromaway.com/about/
[3] Gander International Airport. (n.d.). September 11, 2001. Gander International Airport. https://www.ganderintl.com/history/september-11-2001/
[4] American Airlines. (n.d.). History. American Airlines. https://www.aa.com/i18n/history.jsp
[5] Womens BlueSky. (n.d.). Our Mission. Women's BlueSky. https://womensbluesky.org/our-mission/
[6] Bass, Beverley. (n.d.). Beverley Bass. Women of Aviation Worldwide. https://www.wow-usa.org/wow-profiles/beverley-bass/
[7] Bass, Beverley. (2018, September 11). Captain Beverley Bass: A Hero of 9/11. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/11/opinion/captain-beverley-bass-911.html
- The aviation industry was disrupted dramatically during the 9/11 attacks, but the landing at Gander International Airport in Newfoundland highlighted the leadership shown by aviation pioneers like Beverley Bass.
- Bass's career spanned 32 years and left an indelible mark in the aviation industry, specifically paving the way for women in aviation and health-and-wellness, such as family-health and womens-health.
- In the aftermath of 9/11, Bass's calm and humanitarian response exemplified the impact that careers in the aviation and aerospace sector can have, extending beyond technology and finance into the realms of travel, business, and lifestyle.
- Today, Bass continues her mission to empower women in aviation and health-and-wellness through the organization she founded, bridging the gap in family-health, womens-health, and overall lifestyle.
- Bass's simple yet powerful mantra, "Women can fly!", resonates not only in the aviation sector but also in parenting, as her own daughter followed in her footsteps, becoming a pilot.
- As a testament to her influence, Bass's name is synonymous with courage, resilience, and determination, serving as an inspiration not only in the broader aviation industry but also in various aspects of everyday life.
- In retirement, Bass remains world-renowned, her pioneering spirit and contributions leaving a lasting impact on the industry, on family-health, womens-health, and most importantly, on the upcoming generation of aviators and parents.
