When Women Fly - 065 Never Let Go of Your Dreams with Carole Hopson

065 Never Let Go of Your Dreams with Carole Hopson

06/06/22 • 56 min

As a child, Carole Hopson spent hours lying on the grass in her grandparents’ backyard watching the planes arrive at Philadelphia International Airport. However, it took decades for Carole to pursue her dream of becoming a pilot. Today, Carole flies a Boeing 737 for United Airlines as a First Officer. Black women make up less than one percent of all certified pilots, and Carole is one of them.

Carole’s story is one of inspiration, bravery, chasing dreams, and taking risks. Before becoming a pilot, Carole spent decades working in various corporate careers from journalist to an executive-level employee in human resources. Carole stepped away from her corporate career to pursue her dream of flying, and it has taken her to places she couldn’t have imagined.

In this episode, Sylvia and Carole talk about Carole’s journey from corporate careers to commercial pilot, Carole shares the inspiration behind her book A Pair of Wings, Carole talks about her non-profit The Jet Black Foundation, and she discusses the importance of representation in aviation.

Topics Include:
- The history of Bessie Coleman’s life
- The process behind writing A Pair of Wings
- How Carole’s and Bessie Coleman’s stories parallel each other
- Career timeline and getting her commercial pilot’s license later in life
- What it’s like to be a female African American commercial pilot
- Experience gaining confidence as a minority operating a regional jet
- Relationship with the public as a minority pilot
- Family planning and motherhood
- Carole’s philanthropy, Jet Black Foundation, and the 100 pairs of wings initiative
- And other topics...

Carole Hopson flies a Boeing 737 for United Airlines as First Officer. Carole is also the author of the historical fiction novel A Pair of Wings (2021). Before her career as a pilot, Carole was a journalist, writing for publications such as the Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Tribune, and the Bergen Record. In 2021, Carole founded The Jet Black Foundation, a non-profit with the mission to help diversify the aviation industry. The Jet Black Foundation is currently working on the 100 Pairs of Wings project, with the goal to increase the representation of women of color in the aviation industry.

Resources Mentioned:
A Pair of Wings by Carole Hopson: https://www.amazon.com/Pair-Wings-Inspired-Pioneer-Aviatrix/dp/173551117X
The Jet Black Foundation: https://www.jetblackfoundation.org/
Carole Hopson on Oprah’s Daily: https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/a37762199/pilot-career-change/
Sisters in Arms by Kaia Alderson: https://www.amazon.com/Sisters-Arms-Novel-Kaia-Alderson/dp/0062964585
Ladysitting by Lorene Cary: https://www.amazon.com/Ladysitting-Year-Nana-End-Century/dp/0393635880
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead: https://www.amazon.com/Nickel-Boys-Novel-Colson-Whitehead/dp/0385537077
Connect with Carole:
carolehopson.com
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Website – https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
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Previous Episode

064 Welcome to Season III of When Women Fly!

Every woman harbors the spirit of flight. We talk about it, one story at a time. Our guests include superstar athletes, world champions, aviators, and women who chart their own courses. Join us each week and connect with women who dare to pursue their dreams and fly.
Welcome to our third season of When Women Fly!
Stay Connected
Signup for AIR BORN, our monthly newsletter! A letter from Sylvia will show up in your inbox, with links to her latest conversations and insights. Be bold, be brave, and fly.

Website – https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest – @whenwomenfly
Write to us at – [email protected]

Next Episode

066 The Power of Upside Down Dreams with Thunderbird Michelle "Mace" Curran

Michelle “Mace” Curran is known for her impressive thirteen-year career as a fighter pilot flying F-16s. She went on to serve three years as the only female pilot for Air Force's elite demonstration squadron, the Thunderbirds, where she was only the second woman to fly as the Lead Solo in the Thunderbird demonstration since the team’s creation in 1953.
It may seem like Michelle always was self-assured and confident, but throughout her journey, Michelle faced feelings of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and lack of confidence. Her story is one of grit, perseverance, and determination.
She recently realized the true gift flight gave her—the ability to help and inspire others to chase their dreams. She now speaks at organizations around the nation to share the lessons she’s learned about overcoming obstacles and gaining self-confidence.
In this episode, Sylvia and Michelle talk about Michelle's path to becoming a fighter pilot, the experience of being a Thunderbird during the pandemic, the flyover at the Superbowl, the power of change to enable dreams, the birth of "Upside Down Dreams", and why she views empathy as her superpower.
Topics Include:
- Navigating college and joining ROTC
- Experience learning to fly and the challenges of initial flight screening
- Confidence and imposter syndrome
- What can you learn from the opportunity to change
- Advice for people experiencing setbacks
- Physical stresses of being an F16 pilot
- Relationships and dating as a pilot
- Importance of debriefing and how this transfers to other areas of life
- Michelle’s transition into public speaking
- Upside Down Dreams
- Empathy as a superpower
- And other topics...
Michelle “Mace” Curran led an impressive career as a Fighter Pilot during her 13 years in the United States Air Force. From 2019-2021, she flew as the only female pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds and performed for millions across the country and internationally. Michelle was only the second woman to fly as the Lead Solo in the Thunderbird demonstration since the team’s creation in 1953.
In 2022, Michelle left active duty to found Upside Down Dreams, where she travels the country speaking to organizations on lessons of grit, perseverance, determination, and teamwork. She’s made appearances on media such as The Kelly Clarkson Show, Glamor, and CBS Evening News, among others.
Resources Mentioned:
Nowhere for Very Long by Briana Madia: https://www.amazon.com/Nowhere-Very-Long-Unexpected-Unconventional/dp/0063047985
Michelle’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mace_curran/
Michelle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-curran5/
Michelle’s Website: https://macecurran.com/
Stay Connected
Signup for AIR BORN, our monthly newsletter! A letter from Sylvia will show up in your inbox, with links to her latest conversations and insights. Be bold, be brave, and fly.