One of Delta's first Black flight attendants reflects on fighting for civil rights in the sky

February 18th, 2022

Now-retired Delta flight attendant Casey Grant in 1971. (Courtesy of Delta Air Lines)

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines and Georgia U.S. lawmakers are pushing resolutions that would designate Feb. 16 as International Black Aviation Professionals Day.

The resolution is also the latest project for Casey Grant, one of Delta’s first Black flight attendants. For Grant, the honors and appearances this week at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport have been a long time coming. Grant retired from the airline in 2006 after 35 years of service.

Besides meeting celebrities and flying with former President Jimmy Carter, she’s dedicated her life to pushing for more recognition of the contributions of Black aviation professionals.

Recently, she joined WABE’s “All Things Considered” over Zoom to talk about her fond memories and seeing the world. But Grant also recalled moments when being a trailblazing Black flight attendant amid segregation was not so glamorous.

Lily Oppenheimer contributed to this report.