Zoey Williams
Zoey Williams | |
|---|---|
| Born | Southern Ontario, Canada |
| Education | Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (BS, MBA) |
| Occupation | Commercial pilot |
Zoey Williams is a Canadian commercial aviation pilot from Southern Ontario, Canada. She is noted for being the first Black female pilot to fly a Boeing 777 for Air Canada.
Early life and education
[edit]Williams was born in Southern Ontario.[1] Her father worked as a pilot for Air Canada, and would frequently take his family along on flights in lieu of childcare.[2] Her father encouraged her to try flying, and took her on a introductory flight on a Cessna,[3] but she ran into turbulence, leaving her scared and "vowing never to fly again".[4] However, she later determined she wanted to overcome her fear, and earned her pilot's license at the age of 16.[1]
Williams earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics & Aviation Management from Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University followed by a Master of Business Administration in Aviation & International Business.[5]
Career
[edit]Williams earned her certification as a flight instructor at the age of 19.[6] She started working for Wasaya Airways, flying a Beechcraft 1900 in the Northern Ontario region.[7] Williams served as a first officer on a Embraer 175 aircraft for Sky Regional Airlines[8] and has also flown a Boeing 737 for Flair Airlines.[6]
After joining Air Canada as a first officer for the Boeing 777, she made her first flight as pilot in October 2023,[9] marking the first time a Black female pilot flew the 777 for the airline.[8] Black Enterprise notes that Black pilots only compose 3.4% of the industry in the United States, with Air Canada only employing 30 Black pilots as of 2024.[10]
Williams is the Pilot-in-Residence for the University of Waterloo, the first to hold the position for the university.[5]
Personal life
[edit]Williams is a singer and a member of the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada.[11] She also sings with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, a professional orchestra located in Ontario.[1]
Awards and honors
[edit]- In 2016, Williams received the Aviation Pathway Award for Professionalism and Diversity from Jazz Aviation[12]
- In 2023, Williams was included on Wings magazine's "Top 20 under 40" list[10]
- In 2024, Williams was honored Northern Lights Rising Star award which honors Canadian women in aerospace[13]
- In 2024, Williams was named one of the Top 25 Women of Influence in Canada[5]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Walker, Monica (April 5, 2024). "Jamaican Zoey Williams becomes 1st female black pilot to fly Boeing 777 for Air Canada". wicnews.com. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ Thibodeau, Lisa (February 12, 2025). "Making history at 35,000 feet: Meet Zoey Williams, Air Canada's first Black female pilot". The Honest Talk. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ Kincade, Kendra (July 7, 2020). "Driven to fly: Zoey Williams describes her growth as an inspiring role model for Canadian aviation". Wings. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ "27-Year-Old Makes History as First Black Female Pilot to Fly a Boeing 777 for Air Canada". StarNews.com.ng. March 12, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ a b c Fanfair, Ron (January 29, 2025). "Zoey Williams, Air Canada's first Black woman pilot, follows trailblazing father flight path". Ron Fanfair. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
- ^ a b "27-year-old Lady becomes first black female pilot at Air Canada, inspires many in aviation". scholarshipregion.com. February 19, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ O'Neill, Jon (February 9, 2024). "Accomplished Aviator Charts Course of Achievement Inside and Outside of the Flight Deck". erau.edu. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
- ^ a b Mubarik, Abu (February 22, 2025). "At 27, Zoey Williams is Air Canada's first Black female pilot to fly a Boeing 777". Face2Face Africa. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
- ^ "Zoey Williams: First Black Female Boeing 777 Pilot for Air Canada". The Caribbean Camera. June 1, 2024. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ a b Abdur-Rahman, Nahlah (February 27, 2024). "Air Canada's First Black Female Pilot Takes Flight". Black Enterprise. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
- ^ Waberi, Osobe (February 29, 2024). "Meet Zoey Williams, the first Black woman to fly a Boeing 777 for Air Canada despite being afraid of the sky as a child". Now. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
- ^ "Jazz Aviation Steps Up with Confederation College". Net News Ledger. May 9, 2016. Retrieved July 14, 2025.
- ^ "Northern Lights awards an inspiration for the next generation of women in aerospace". Skies. October 8, 2024. Retrieved July 14, 2025.