March 30, 1973 Bonnie Tiburzi became the first female pilot for a major U.S. airline when she was hired by American Airlines. Some reacted with hostility. After her first flight a sign that read MALE CREW MEMBERS ONLY was posted on the crew lounge door. But underneath a supporter had penciled “And Bonnie, too!” Tiburzi said “I always wanted to be an airline pilot, and my parents never told me I couldn’t.”
