149 Millennium - Twenty-second Edition SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING Gabrielle D. Harding first thought about her future profession as a 12-year-old when she attended the Space Academy program in Huntsville, Alabama. When her school conducted a survey of students’ career goals, she chose the only option she could find that seemed similar to astronaut: aviation. That survey decision would prove fateful, as Ms. Harding was then enrolled in a Tuskegee Airmen program to teach schoolchildren about aviation. She recalls taking a flight in a four-seater plane as part of this program, seeing the city from a bird’s-eye view, and for the first time, thinking she wanted to be a pilot. Since that day, Ms. Harding has worked hard to overcome the challenges associated with being a Black woman in a field dominated by white men. Following her flight training, she became an instructor for several years while accruing the necessary flight hours to secure a pilot position. Ms. Harding was hired for her first airline job at Mesaba Airlines (now operating as Endeavor Air), a regional carrier for Northwest Airlines, in 2001. From 2005 to 2006, she had her first opportunity to gain experience as a captain at Mesa Airlines. Fulfilling her lifelong goal of working for a major airline, Ms. Harding joined Continental Airlines in 2006. In 2012, Continental Airlines merged with United Airlines. While this merger presented its own set of obstacles for pilots, Ms. Harding has continued to thrive at United Airlines, assuming the duties of a captain in 2022. Since 2024, she has also served as a line check pilot, evaluating whether pilots in training are ready to operate independently. In addition to her primary vocation, Ms. Harding takes great pride in over 10 years of volunteer work with Jack and Jill of America Inc. Through this mother-run organization, she aims to leave a legacy for her son and daughter, teaching them to become leaders and to prioritize civic engagement. Ms. Harding recognizes the importance of representation and hopes to inspire more women to pursue careers in the aviation industry. Millennium Magazine Featured Listee GABRIELLE D. HARDING CAPTAIN, LINE CHECK PILOT United Airlines Inc. Middletown, DE
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