Heidelberg to welcome first Black female combat pilot

TIFFIN — This fall, the Heidelberg University community will have the opportunity to hear the inspiring story of this gutsy trailblazer when The Patricia Adams Lecture Series welcomes "FlyGirl" as the PALS keynote speaker for the 2024-25 school year. "FlyGirl" will be on Heidelberg's campus Sept. 26 to reflect on the series of "firsts" that have shaped her remarkable life and career. Among those firsts, Vernice Armour is America's first Black female combat pilot, having served two tours in Iraq as a Marine. Additionally, she was a diversity liaison to the Pentagon for Headquarters Marine Corps. Following her military service, "FlyGirl" revved up her career in the private sector as an entrepreneur, consultant to business and the author of Zero to Breakthrough: The 7-Step, Battle-Tested Method for Accomplishing Goals that Matter. During her visit, Armour will participate in several sessions with students, as well as present her keynote address during the PALS dinner later that evening. According to Angie Gilles, associate director of communication and senior writer, "FlyGirl" was the right choice for PALS because she is clearly pre-eminent in her field. "She was at the top of her class in the military and accomplished a lot of firsts for women," said Giles. "In addition to being the first Black combat pilot in the U.S., she was the first woman of color on the Nashville Police Department Motorcycle Squad." In 2007, Armour launched VAI Consulting and Training, LLC. Through that work, she helps individuals and organizations make gutsy moves, and create breakthrough results by applying her previously mentioned success model - a mindset that helped to propel her career and kept her safe in air combat. Gilles explained, "I think our students will relate to her grit, courage, perseverance, and determination. Also, she is a charismatic and dynamic speaker who will be very engaging in her interactions with them." As a Black gay woman and single mom, Armour brings vital experience to her role as a member of the Forbes School of Business and Technology Board of Advisors and COMCAST/NBC Universal Joint Diversity Council. A Tennessee native and graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, "FlyGirl" has two honorary doctorates and has received numerous awards as a pioneering pilot, including honors for her commanding role in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). As a black gay woman and single mom, Armour brings vital experience to her role as a member of the Forbes School of Business and Technology Board of Advisors, and COMCAST/NBC Universal Joint Diversity Council. Armour's story has been featured on CNN, MSNBC, The View, FOX News, Oprah Winfrey and many more. For fun, she is a running back for the San Diego Sunfire professional women's football team and two-time title holder of Camp Pendleton's Strongest Warrior Competition. Currently, she is working on her next book, titled "The Gutsy Move." This year, Sherry Adams has stepped in to represent her family as the new "face" of PALS. Sherry is the daughter of Patricia Adams, who passed away in February 2023, and John Q. Adams, who passed away at the start of the year in January 2024. "This will be the first PALS event without either of them," said Gilles. The lecture series was launched by Heidelberg University in 2010, created and funded by the John and Patricia Adams (her parents) Foundation. The series' goal is to present exceptional female leaders from a broad spectrum of professional backgrounds as a way to expose all Heidelberg students to women who have made a significant impact in their careers and communities. The series was named to honor Pat's loyalty and passion for Heidelberg, her philanthropic spirit, and her desire to leave a legacy to the university that meant so much to both her and John, a 1958 alumnus and trustee. For more information on the Patricia Adams Lecture Series, visit www.heidelberg.edu/about/arts-culture-events/lecture-series/patricia-adams-lecture-series.