Delta's Centennial

Delta Firsts
Learn how Delta people broke barriers for commercial aviation, civil rights and a range of other frontiers. We’re proud of each “first step” we’ve taken over the years. They’re foundational to what it means to Keep Climbing.
From crop dusting to the Widget: How one woman gave Delta its name
The true origin of the Delta name doesn’t lie solely in the Greek letter – it’s the brainchild of a woman named Catherine FitzGerald, who suggested the name to Delta’s founder C.E. Woolman as a way to pay homage to the agricultural region that was foundational to the airline’s success.

Black Trailblazers: Those Who Broke Barriers and Made Delta History
Delta’s first Black aviation professionals left an indelible mark on our culture and history. Discover the challenges they faced and how they’ve inspired coworkers to Keep Climbing.

 

Johnnie Calhoun was one of Delta’s first Black aircraft maintenance technicians (AMTs). ​
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Initially starting in 1942 with Chicago and Southern Air Lines, he became lead porter in 1962, his 20th anniversary with Delta. He became a junior mechanic in 1967 and retired in 1981 as a mechanic. ​

“I had stars in my eyes. I wanted to see the world and travel.” ​

A flier in her mailbox for an airline school in St. Louis, Missouri would set Patricia Murphy on a path to becoming a flight attendant — and making aviation history. ​

Patricia left home in Chicago to complete “stewardess” training and interviewed for Delta after graduation. In 1966, she became the airline’s first Black flight attendant.​

Highlights from her 35-year career include meeting CEO C.E. Woolman after graduation, being featured in national advertising and being part of the inaugural Chairman’s Club class of 1997.​

“I have often been asked, when did I become interested in flying? My answer is always the same — I’ve never been interested in anything other than flying.”​

Samuel Graddy, a former captain in the U.S. Army, became Delta’s first Black pilot in 1968, as a second officer. He became Delta’s first Black captain in 1979.​

Sam also made history in 1980 alongside copilot Cal Flanigan, when the duo became the first Black cockpit crew to fly together at Delta. ​

Throughout his 37-year career, he was based in Chicago and Atlanta and served as a pilot and line check airmen on both the Boeing 727 and Lockheed L-1011.​

 

In 1973, Eugene Harmond became Delta’s first Black male flight attendant — forging a path in a predominantly white, female-dominated profession.​

Eugene left a career in teaching after he was “recruited” by a Delta employee at a social gathering who noticed his warm and engaging personality. ​

In February 2016, Delta honored Eugene with the Trail Blazer Flight Attendant Award. He is still flying with Delta today, now in his 52nd year.​

“When you’re being yourself, you don’t realize the impact that you are having on other’s lives. Until I started hearing some of the congratulations I got on the 50 years, that’s when it hit me that it was something special.”​

Joseph Jackson was Delta’s first Black flight dispatcher, sector manager and duty director.​​

Joe started his Delta career in 1968 as a ramp agent in Florida. He became a dispatcher in 1980 and was promoted to flight superintendent in 1982. In 1991, he became the airline's first black sector manager, now known as systems operations manager, and was later promoted to duty director.​

He retired in 2018 with 50 years of service with Delta.

“I find being seen walking through the terminal in uniform, or standing at the door during deplaning, is just as impactful as direct contact — there is always a spark in young girls’ eyes when they realize there is a woman flying the plane.”​

Dana Nelson was the first Black female pilot hired by Delta, joining as a first officer in 2001. She was initially based in Orlando, flying the Boeing 737-200, and then transferred to Atlanta, and then New York, on the Boeing 757. She is still flying for Delta today.