Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour

In the fall of 1994, as an idealistic first-year teacher, Erin Gruwell, took on the challenge of a class of “unteachable, at-risk” students at a California high school. The class was a diverse mix of African- American, Latino, Cambodian, Vietnamese and Caucasian students — many from the rough neighborhoods in Long Beach — who made it clear they were not interested in what she had to say.

Known simply as FlyGirl, Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour propelled herself from beat cop to combat pilot in three years. After serving two tours flying overseas, supporting the men and women on the ground in Iraq, she had become America’s first African American female combat pilot. She believes that women and men from all walks of life have the potential to achieve the highest levels of success with the right flight plan.

An honorary Doctorate of Laws was conferred on Vernice from Chancellor University in 2010. She was the first African American woman on the Nashville Police Department’s motorcycle squad, Camp Pendleton’s 2001 Female Athlete of the Year, two-time titleholder of Camp Pendleton’s Strongest Warrior competition, and running back for the San Diego Sunfire women’s professional football team. Vernice’s first book, Zero to Breakthrough helps readers build a sustainable inner force and conviction that result in accomplishing significant goals.