A 27-year-old woman named Zoey Williams has become the first-ever black female pilot to fly at Air Canada since it was founded in 1965.
Zoey who hails from Ontario, Canada was assigned to pilot a Boeing 777, one of the most technical planes in the world. Zoey holds four college degrees — including three from Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University — and, as a Boeing 777 First Officer at Air Canada.
She is a source of inspiration for many aspiring black pilots in Canada and around the world. As a young girl, Zoey narrated that she had been around aviation through her father and living close to a flight-training school. “I saw a lot of airplanes flying above the house,” she told Kendra Kincade during an interview.
Zoey explained that although she had a lot of insight in aviation as a young girl, her interest was to become an engineer but after some encouragement from her father, she decided to become a pilot.
“Through the mentorship and advice of my father, I got into a Cessna for an introductory flight lesson, and I promised myself, that no matter what it took, I was going to become a pilot,” she said.
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Zoey obtained her wings as a certified flight instructor, setting the stage for a remarkable career in aviation at the age of 19. She stated that she navigated through various roles, including flying the challenging Beechcraft 1900.
Zoey also served as a First Officer for Sky Regional Airlines and later transitioned to Air Transat. She said even though the pandemic brought disruptions, she remained determined.
She has obtained a master of Business in Aviation from Embry-Riddle and flying a Boeing 737 for Flair Airlines. Beyond her aviation accomplishments, Zoey has also received notable awards and recognition.
Zoey earned a spot among the Top 20 Under 40 by Wings Magazine and was featured in videos by Air Canada and the Elevate Aviation 2023 Women of Inspire. She actively showcases her musical skills on various platforms.
She is also making her mark as an author with her upcoming book“Go Where You Belong,” aimed at inspiring young minds to pursue their passions.
“If you have a burning desire to do something, don’t bury it. Keep your focus, build your networks, share your goals, and show your passion in everything you do. That’s how you can end up doing things you love day in and day out,” she said.
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