In April 2010, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) La’Shanda Holmes became the first African-American female helicopter pilot in the U.S. Coast Guard. Holmes is a pilot of the MH-65 Dolphins. She joins the 85 female pilots of the 1,200 currently serving in the U.S. Coast Guard.
A North Carolina native, Holmes and her brother were raised in foster care after their mother committed suicide when Holmes was only two years old. After being adopted, the adoptive mother remarried. Shortly after, Holmes and her brother were back in foster care with reports of abuse. The two were separated. Holmes lived with another family until she was 17. With stellar grades, she graduated magna cum laude and attended Spelman College. While in school, she was introduced to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Click here to view the rest of this article or check it out on blackamericaweb.com
