Kimberly Anyadike was just 15 years old when she became the youngest female Black pilot to fly across the United States. The journey took 13 days, during which she overcame every hurdle. Anyadike persevered, completing the historic flight and inspiring other young people to pursue their dreams.
Kimberly Anyadike was 12 years old when she first gained interest in becoming a cardiovascular surgeon. It all started with a school lesson on African American pilots who flew during World War II. Kimberly was fascinated by their story and decided then and there that she wanted to become a pilot. Having an interest in Aviation and cardiovascular surgeon seemed like the perfect way to combine her two interests.
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Kimberly Anyadike started her flight in Compton, California and landed in Newport News, Virginia in 2009. She completed her journey at the age of 15 with the help of her safety pilot Levi Thornhill, a former Tuskegee Airmen. Kimberly completed the round-trip journey in a single-engine Cessna 172 with about 50 Tuskegee airmen autographs. Kimberly’s name “Anyadike” means “eye of the warrior” in the Igbo language of Nigeria. Kimberly flew to different cities across America.
Her plane was autographed by about 50 Tuskegee airmen as she stopped at different cities across the US, and in 2015, Anyadike received the first Young Aviator’s Award from the Tuskegee Airmen in recognition of her achievements. Kimberly has inspired other young girls that they can do anything they set their minds too.
