During the first few weeks of the Trump administration, America has experienced a sudden rash of air traffic tragedies. Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy repeatedly blame diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts for a decline in safety.
However, not only has air safety increased with diversity in the profession, it was a Black woman named Gloria Twine Chisum whose work made flying significantly safer.
Chisum, a native of Muskogee Oklahoma, attended both Howard University and the University of Pennsylvania before launching her career with the U.S. Navy.
There, her career quickly blossomed.
Chisum would rise through the ranks to head the U.S. Naval Air Development Center’s Environmental Physiology Research Team. She would consult for the Department of Defense and organizations across the globe, even representing the U.S. at key international diplomatic meetings.
Chisum’s research and invention continues to make flying in planes safer
Throughout her time leading research and development groups, Chisum’s expertise allowed her to identify key areas for improvement.
As head of the Vision Laboratory at the U.S. Naval Air Development Center, she noticed pilots of high-performing planes were struggling with the immense brightness of the sun in the upper layers of the atmosphere. To solve the issue, Chisum helped invent specialized protective goggles just for these pilots. The goggles effectively protected against exposure to bright light that dramatically reduced visibility and sometimes resulted in loss of consciousness.
Chisum also published her knowledge in several books, including a 1978 volume on “laser eye protection for flight personnel”.
Today, military and commercial aircraft pilots alike wear specialized protective eyewear to keep them and their passengers safe in flight. Thanks in part to Chisum’s research, many pilots now also have access to specialty eyewear protecting against lasers and other hazards.
The work and wisdom of Gloria Twine Chisum has echoed across time. She, and countless other Black women who served as researchers, pilots, flight crew and more have made our skies safer.
Today, Gloria Twine Chisum resides in Philadelphia, PA. She was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1984. The town of Taft, Oklahoma was originally named Twine in honor of her father.