New exhibit at helicopter museum honors African American pilots – Daily Local

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TRENDING:
The American Helicopter Museum and Education Center is now displaying a new permanent exhibit, “On the Wings of Freedom: Black Leaders in Aviation.”
It honors Juneteenth and its June opening was attended by representatives of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter Tuskegee Airmen.
This special exhibit shows the stories of nine Black Americans integral to aviation history: Jeanine Menze, La’Shanda Hawkins, Katherine Johnson, Elridge Johnson, Robert Farris, James Casher, Clyde Romero, Cornelius Coffey, and Willa Brown.
The display, using first person narratives, with interviews and biographical information, paints a picture not just of the accomplishments of these individuals, but of their personal stories and the challenges of institutional barriers to their careers, according to a museum release.
“Most importantly, this exhibit highlights the importance of mentorship and community for individual success, with the hopes of inspiring future generations of American aviators to fly even higher,” reads the release.
“We should care because it’s important to see someone become a helicopter pilot or NASA astronaut so they say I can see myself doing that—especially for kids,” said Magdalena Stuehrmann, Visitor Experience and PR Coordinator for the museum. “Visitors need a connection to the aircraft.
“It’s very important perhaps now than ever to highlight stories that are often overlooked and to highlight individuals that are often overlooked.”
The exhibit is funded in part by a Juneteenth mini-grant from the Chester County Community Foundation. It is designed with the goal of the West Chester PA NAACP’s “Celebrate 365” initiative to celebrate Juneteenth more than one day a year. The exhibit is a permanent part of the museum’s collection, highlighting Black Americans’ contributions to aviation year round.
AHMEC is the nation’s premier aviation museum dedicated to the incredible history of rotary flight. Located near West Chester, this family friendly aviation museum is home to one of the world’s largest collections of rotorcraft, and dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of rotary flight in the birthplace of the helicopter industry.
Commander La’Shanda Hawkins became the first African American female helicopter pilot in the U.S. Coast Guard in 2010.
Her alma mater, Spellman College, provided the following biography:
“Commander La’Shanda Hawkins, Chief of Enlisted Evaluations, served in the U.S. Senate as Deputy Liaison, advocating for the Coast Guard budget and legislative priorities, educating Congress and staff on the critical role of the Coast Guard, and preparing senior leadership for hearings, congressional delegations, and local engagements.
“Formerly an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter pilot in Miami, Florida, the Coast Guard’s busiest Air Station, she was responsible for the safety of four crew members and a $9M aircraft while executing search and rescue missions, drug and migrant interdictions, and marine environmental protection.
“She served at the White House and beyond. Under the Obama Administration, CDR Hawkins was selected to serve as a prestigious White House Fellow. She spent 2015-2016 in Washington, DC, interfacing with the highest levels of government, studying policy issues worldwide, and serving as Special Assistant to NASA Administrator General Charles F. Bolden.
The following is an email interview recently conducted with the pilot:
Hawkins: I fly because I was inspired by someone who looked like me. Before I met her, I had never even met a pilot — let alone a Black woman pilot. But the moment I saw her, I saw myself. She made the impossible feel possible. Even if flying didn’t work out for me, I knew I had to try — because she did.
When I was accepted into flight school at Naval Air Station Pensacola and took that very first flight, something clicked. What had once been a distant dream became a tangible reality.
I love flying for many reasons — it sharpens my mind, constantly challenges me, and gives me the chance to make a real difference.
It’s also created a path of generational wealth and stability for my family, which is just as meaningful.
Flying for the U.S. Coast Guard has allowed me to save lives, intercept narcotics, and defend our nation’s capital and critical infrastructure. It’s hard to imagine anything more rewarding than serving my country from the cockpit — doing work that matters every single day.
Paving the way and being the first has been both an incredible honor and a deep responsibility. When I became the first Black woman to fly helicopters for the U.S. Coast Guard, I knew I was stepping into a role that wasn’t just about me — it was about representation, possibility, and legacy. My career has taken me from search and rescue missions to the halls of Congress and even the White House, but in every space, I’ve been reminded that visibility matters.
Being the first can be isolating at times, but it also gives you the power to redefine what’s possible for those who come next. I’ve tried to carry that awareness with me in everything I do — not just breaking barriers, but holding the door open behind me.
I chose helicopters because I wanted to be where the action was — where I could make a direct impact. I remember watching The Guardian and being drawn to the rescue swimmers and helicopter crews who were right there in the moment, saving lives. It wasn’t about sitting back — it was about being hands-on, in service to others. That resonated deeply with me.
Flying helicopters offered the perfect intersection of purpose, challenge, and service. I didn’t just want to wear the uniform — I wanted to earn it every day by doing work that mattered. Whether it was flying into a storm to rescue someone or supporting missions on the front lines, helicopters gave me a front-row seat to meaningful action — and a way to give back to my country in a very real, very tangible way.
Do I ever get scared? Of course. I think anyone who tells you they’ve never felt fear in high-stakes situations isn’t being honest — or hasn’t been tested. But that’s exactly where training, preparation, and discipline kick in. In the cockpit, there’s no room for panic — just priorities. You fall back on your checklists, your crew coordination, your procedures. Fear might be a spark, but your training is what drives the response.
In many ways, fear is a reminder that the mission matters — that lives are on the line. And for me, it’s never been about being fearless. It’s about being ready, being steady, and doing the job anyway.
From 2020 to 2022, I had the honor of serving in the U.S. Senate, where I worked at the intersection of policy and national security — bringing my operational experience as a Coast Guard pilot into the legislative arena. One of the most meaningful aspects of my role was creating and coordinating trips for Senators and their staff to see the Coast Guard in action.
These weren’t just routine visits — they were immersive, behind-the-scenes experiences designed to showcase the Coast Guard’s missions, infrastructure, and assets, as well as the incredible work our young service members perform every single day. My goal was to give lawmakers a firsthand look at why the Coast Guard is more relevant than ever in today’s national security environment — from drug interdiction and disaster response to cybersecurity and Arctic operations.
It was incredibly rewarding to help shape understanding and support for a service I deeply believe in, and to ensure that the dedication and capabilities of the Coast Guard were seen, valued, and championed at the highest levels of government
From 2015 to 2016, I had the tremendous honor of serving as a White House Fellow under the Obama Administration — one of the most prestigious leadership programs in the country. The White House Fellowship is designed to bring promising young leaders from all sectors to Washington, D.C., for a year of service and learning at the highest levels of government. The goal is simple but powerful: to expose us to the inner workings of federal leadership so we can bring that knowledge, perspective, and sense of civic responsibility back to our fields — and inspire others along the way.
During my fellowship, I served as Special Assistant to NASA Administrator General Charles Bolden — a legendary figure in American history. General Bolden is a retired Marine Corps Major General, a former astronaut who flew on four space shuttle missions, and notably, the first African American to lead NASA on a permanent basis. Working alongside him was both humbling and deeply motivating. He embodied excellence, discipline, and a profound belief in the power of representation and education — values that continue to guide me today.
At NASA, I supported interagency and international initiatives that helped shape the future of science, technology, and exploration. But even more meaningful was seeing how space policy, innovation, and leadership intersect with service to humanity. My time as a White House Fellow helped me think bigger, lead better, and stay grounded in the idea that public service — whether in uniform, in space, or in policy — is one of the highest callings we can answer.
I’ve had the privilege of serving in some incredible roles — as a pilot in the Coast Guard, working on Capitol Hill, serving as a White House Fellow, and now leading a major mission set at Coast Guard Headquarters. Each experience has stretched me in different ways, but my favorite part across the board has always been the same: the people and the purpose. Whether I’m flying into a storm on a rescue mission, briefing lawmakers on national security, or shaping strategy at the highest levels of the service — I’m surrounded by smart, committed people working for something bigger than themselves. That kind of purpose-driven work is rare, and I don’t take it for granted.
The least favorite part? Honestly, it’s the weight of it all. When you care deeply — about the mission, the people, the outcomes — the stakes can feel heavy. Leading in complex environments, especially when lives or policies are on the line, can be exhausting. But even that challenge is a privilege. It means I’m doing work that matters.
Outside of work, I’m a big believer in balance. When I’m not flying or leading missions, I love spending time with my family, traveling, and doing the things that keep me grounded and whole. I’m married to an incredible man, Maurice, who is my biggest supporter and an amazing father. We have a one-year-old daughter who is the spunkiest, most joyful little human I’ve ever met — she’s my entire world and takes up most of my ‘free’ time these days, in the best possible way.
Right now, I’m stepping into a new chapter as I train to fly for the airlines, with the dream of showing my daughter the world and building a legacy that shows her she can do anything she sets her mind to.
When it comes to education, I’m a lifelong learner at heart. I graduated from Spelman College — a historically Black college for women — and have since earned my master’s degree, studied at Harvard and Cornell, and continued growing as a leader through every chapter of my career. I truly believe learning never stops, and I bring that mindset into everything I do.
For more information, please contact Visitor Experience and PR Coordinator Magdalena Stuehrmann at magdalena@helicoptermuseum.org or (610) 436-9600.
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