Karen Ulane

Karen Frances Ulane (December 10, 1941 – May 22, 1989) was an American airline pilot who was dismissed by Eastern Airlines after undergoing sex reassignment surgery in 1980.[1] The case Ulane v. Eastern Airlines became the federal legal precedent for transsexual legal status under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.[2]

Karen Ulane
Born(1941-12-10)December 10, 1941
Chicago, Illinois
DiedMay 22, 1989(1989-05-22) (aged 47)
near DeKalb, Illinois
OccupationAviation
Known forLegal precedent for transsexual people under Civil Rights Act of 1964

Life and career

Ulane was born in Chicago, Illinois and graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep. Ulane joined the United States Army and flew combat missions in the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968, then became a pilot for Eastern Airlines.[2] Following employment with Eastern Airlines, Ulane transitioned from Kenneth to Karen Frances in April 1980.[3]

T.R. Buttion, the Senior Vice President of Flight Operations presented her with a letter of termination on April 24, 1981 that read, "It is our belief that the controversial nature of the operation you have undergone will detract from and prevent any flight crew of which you are a part of from operating in the integrated, coordinated fashion that is necessary to attain the highest degree of safety." The letter also noted that other Eastern pilots would refuse to fly with her.[4]

Ulane filed a discrimination charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission which resulted in the civil case, Ulane v. Eastern Airlines. In her case against Eastern Airlines, Ulane reported coping with gender dysphoria from the age of 5 or 6.[3] Although she won the case against Eastern,[5] it was overturned on appeal the in U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.[2][6][7]

Ulane died in the crash of a chartered DC-3 she was piloting on a training flight, approximately five miles southwest of DeKalb, Illinois on May 22, 1989. Two others also died in the crash.[8][9]

References
  1. Shipp, E.R. (December 28, 1983). "Federal judge orders Eastern Airlines to rehire transsexual pilot". New York Times. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  2. "Pilot loses sex change case appeal". Chicago Tribune. April 16, 1985. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  3. Karen Fraces Ulane v. Eastern Airlines, Inc., Frank Borman, Thomas R. Buttion, David P. Millett, and Robert Shipner, 1981-1986: Transcript of Proceedings. National Archives Catalog. File Unit: Karen Frances Ulane v. Eastern Airlines, Inc., Frank Borman, Thomas R. Buttion, David P. Millett, and Robert Shipner, 1981-1986, 1981 - 1986. 1984. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  4. Karen Fraces Ulane v. Eastern Airlines, Inc., Frank Borman, Thomas R. Buttion, David P. Millett, and Robert Shipner, 1981-1986: Exhibit, Termination Letter #1. National Archives Catalog. File Unit: Karen Frances Ulane v. Eastern Airlines, Inc., Frank Borman, Thomas R. Buttion, David P. Millett, and Robert Shipner, 1981-1986, 1981 - 1986. 1981-04-24. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  5. "Ulane v. Eastern Airlines, Inc., 581 F. Supp. 821 (N.D. Ill. 1984)". Justia Law. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  6. Karen Frances Ulane v. Eastern Airlines, Inc., Frank Borman, Thomas R. Buttion, David P. Millett, and Robert Shipner, 1981-1986. National Archives Catalog. Series: Civil Case Files, 1938 - 1995. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  7. "Karen Ulane, 48, Pilot; Who Had Sex Change". The New York Times. May 24, 1989. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  8. "Karen Ulane, 48, Pilot; Who Had Sex Change", The New York Times, Associated Press, May 24, 1989, retrieved 2008-02-28
  9. Sjostrom, Joseph (August 24, 1991). "Pilot error cited in 1989 crash". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
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