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Monday, Sep 14, 2009
Councilwoman Hahn Honors Teen Pilot
Councilwoman Hahn with Tuskegee Airman Levi Thornhill and pilot Robin Petgrave.
September 14, 2009
Last week I honored Kimberly Anyadike in City Council. This July, Kimberly became the youngest African-American female to pilot a plane across the country, departing from Compton, CA in a single-engine Cessna, and arriving in Virginia thirteen days later. 87-year-old Levi Thornhill, one of the Tuskegee Airmen (an all-African American combat unit who served during World War II), accompanied Kimberly on the flight, along with a safety pilot.
For many years, Kimberly has had a passion for airplanes and a dream to fly them. Kimberly’s first taste of flying started with a 20-minute demo flight at Tomorrow’s Aeronautical Museum, a flight school and youth mentoring center in Compton. The Museum was founded by pilot Robin Petgrave, one or my constituents from San Pedro.
Kimberly worked at the museum to earn her way to flight lessons. She was mentored and inspired by the heroic Tuskegee Airmen who volunteer to teach the program.
Kimberly's accomplishment is truly remarkable, and I know that it is just the beginning of the great things we will see from her. Her spirit and determination are an inspiration to people of all ages and every walk of life!
Posted at 3:35 PM