St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands native and first Black female Coast Guard Air Medal Recipient, HC144 pilot Ronaqua Russell talks about her career.

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In this special episode of the Aviatrix Book Review, I talk with Lieutenant Commander Ronaqua Russell about how she found her way into Coast Guard aviation, her participation in hurricane relief efforts as an HC144 pilot (I mistakenly introduce her as an HC130 pilot at the beginning but we clear that up later), the experience of receiving the Coast Guard Air Medal at Moton Field, home of the Tuskegee Airmen, and the role mentorship has played in her success as the fifth Black female pilot in the Coast Guard. Ronnie’s story was highlighted in Ann McCallum Staats’ middle grade biography collection HIGH FLYERS: FIFTEEN INSPIRING WOMEN AVIATORS AND ASTRONAUTS.

You can listen to my interview with Ann in Season 2, Episode 18

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Blue skies, happy reading, and happy listening!

-Liz Booker