Episode 1: The Pioneers of the Sky – Coleman, Claiborne, and the KC-135

Welcome to the Unknown Forty-Nine Archive. We exist to celebrate the achievements that brought us to where we are today and to inspire the next generation of Black innovators. In every episode, we open the vault to introduce two aviators and one historic aircraft.

But we don't just rely on the history books—our archive is community-driven. Anyone can submit an aviator we might not know or shine a light on a local hero whose story needs to be told. Today, we look at a founding mother of flight, a modern trailblazer submitted by one of our community members, and the engineering marvel she commanded.

Bessie Coleman: The First of the Many

Born in 1892 to sharecropper parents in Atlanta, Texas, Bessie Coleman looked at the sky and saw freedom. Her dream of flight was ignited in Chicago, but in America, she was denied entry to every flight school due to her race and gender.

She refused to let prejudice dictate her altitude. Believing that "the air is the only place free from prejudices," she learned French, made a transatlantic journey to Paris in November 1920, and trained at the Caudron Brothers' School of Aviation.

On June 15, 1921, "Queen Bess" made history. Earning her Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (F.A.I.) pilot's license, she became the very first African American and first Native American woman to become a licensed pilot.

Flying aircraft like the Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" biplane, she returned home a barnstorming legend. "Brave Bessie" famously used her platform to advocate for equality, staunchly refusing to perform at any airshow that segregated its audience. Though she passed away tragically at age 34 in a plane accident, her legacy was carried into the stars when Astronaut Mae Jemison took her photo aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. She is the blueprint.

Major Theresa Claiborne: The Modern Trailblazer

That blueprint was picked up decades later by a woman who would make military history.

In 1982, Theresa Claiborne achieved trailblazer status. She graduated Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas, making history as the very first African American female pilot in the United States Air Force.

• Command Roles: From 1983 to 1988, she served first as a Co-Pilot and then as Aircraft Commander, leading global refueling missions with flawless operational execution.

• Instructor & Mentor: From 1988 to 1991, she served as a highly-rated Instructor Pilot. Over her decades on active duty and in the reserves, she trained over 1,000 pilots.

Major Claiborne didn't just break the glass ceiling; she reached back to pull others through it. To give you a concrete picture of the aviation landscape today: out of tens of thousands of commercial pilots in the United States, there are fewer than 200 Black women holding these positions, representing less than 1% of the workforce.

To change these statistics, she co-founded Sisters of the Skies, an organization dedicated to providing scholarships and mentorship for Black aviation talent.

The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker: An Engineering Marvel

An aviator’s legacy is often tied to the machine they master. For Major Claiborne, that machine was a triumph of aviation engineering: The Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker.

Entering service in 1957 for the Strategic Air Command (SAC), the KC-135 became the essential refueler of the nuclear deterrent force. As a "Cold War Sentinel," it created a critical global network of aerial refuelers supporting long-range bomber operations.

• The "Flying Boom": It standardized this method, which is the most efficient system for massive, precision fuel transfers to large jet aircraft.

• Modernization: In the 1980s, it underwent a massive re-engining program with CFM56 engines to create the KC-135R, significantly increasing its range and efficiency.

• Endurance: With over 700 built, it extended the range of all types of aircraft for combat and humanitarian missions alike, making it one of the longest-serving aircraft in USAF history.

Be a Part of the Mission

These are the stories that shape our history. We build this archive using verified historical records, and we encourage you to dig deeper into the incredible lives of Bessie Coleman and Theresa Claiborne.

History is what we make it, and it is up to us to preserve it. We invite you to be a part of this mission. Head over to unknownfortynine.com to explore our interactive Aviator Archive, submit an aviator whose story deserves to be told, or explore our premium catalog of apparel that honors this legacy. Shop today and enjoy free shipping.

Thank you for exploring the Archive. Keep looking up. #Unknown49

The Archive Extra

Before we truly close the vault, we have an Archive Extra. Breaking barriers isn't limited to the sky. For those of us who know the raw, grueling dedication it takes to step up to a mic, lay down an acoustic bass track, or pour everything into songwriting, the stage is just another frontier.

Meet DeFord Bailey.

A master of the harmonica, Bailey’s innovative sound effortlessly bridged the worlds of country music and the blues. He wasn't just a musician; he was a phenomenon. He became one of the Grand Ole Opry's most popular early performers, permanently cementing his legacy as the very first African American country music star. He proved that true excellence always finds a way to be heard.

• Sisters of the Skies (SOS): Co-founded by Major Theresa Claiborne, SOS is dedicated to drastically increasing the number of Black women in the professional pilot career field. Through initiatives like the Girls Rock Wings (GRoW) outreach program, they provide mentorship, scholarships, and discovery flights to young girls of color.
• Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP): Since 1976, OBAP has been a leading force in educating and advancing minorities in aerospace. Their Aerospace Career Education (ACE) Academies and the Luke Weathers Flight Academy provide vital, hands-on training and career placement for youth nationwide.
• Black Pilots of America (BPA): A national nonprofit empowering youth through aviation. Their hallmark Summer Flight Academy gives students aged 16–19 intensive ground school and flight time with volunteer instructors, helping them earn their wings and pursue aerospace careers.

• Major Theresa Claiborne: United States Air Force Official History Records (Graduating Class 82-08, Laughlin AFB); Smithsonian Voices ("Meet the U.S. Air Force's First Black Female Pilot").
• KC-135 Stratotanker: Boeing Historical Archives; Strategic Air Command (SAC) U.S. Air Force Fact Sheets.