Merryl Tengesdal is the first African American female U-2 spy plane pilot in the Air Force. She grew up dreaming of being an astronaut but took a position flying the U-2 spy plane instead after being unable to find a job as an astronaut. As a hero, Tengesdal hopes to inspire young black girls to pursue careers in aviation. She has risen from her childhood dreams to make history as the first black woman to fly the high-altitude U-2 spy plane.

1. Merryl Tengesdal
"Going into the U­2 program, I never thought about being the first
black female. I considered myself as another pilot in a special
breed of a special group of people.” says Lt. Col. Tengesdal.
Merryl Tengesdal is one of six women and two African­ Americans
to be in the Air Force's U­2 spy plane program. Although, she is the
first African­ American female to be in it.
Merryl Tengesdal was born in Bronx, New York, in 1978.
Tengesdal grew up as a Star Trek fan. Around 7 or 8 she decided
to become an astronaut.
Tengesdal went to the University of New Haven, in
Michigan, for collage. When she grauduated from collage she took
a four­ day bus trip to New York to look for a job as an astronaut.
They said there was no opening, but there was an opening to fly a
U­2 Dragon Lady spy plane in the Air Force. Merryl Tengesdal said
that if she can't be an astronaut, flying a U­2 spy plane is the next
big thing, they can reach altitudes over 70,000 feet (21,000
meters).
Now a hero Merryl Tengesdal says,"You don't see many
Black females flying in any service.I hope this will show young girls
that this is an option they can have." Merryl Tengesdal has
changed the lives of many and wants more African­ American girls
to join.
Merryl Tengesdal is a great woman, and she went from
childhood Star Trek dreams to being the first African­ American

2. female to fly a U­2 spy plane. Still alive, this 38 year old still has a
long way to go before her plane crashes. Tengesdal still can live
on her childhood dreams.
By Teagan Wedige