Dallas-based Southwest Airlines is mourning the loss of a company and industry pioneer.
CJ Bostic, the airline's first Black flight attendant, died this week.
Bostic was one of the company's original flight attendants and over her 49-year career had become a bit of a celebrity among crew members.
In a statement, Southwest said, "CJ was nothing short of an icon at Southwest Airlines, and the passion she displayed for the flight attendant profession was inspirational to all of us."
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Bostic, who was born in Lockhart, went to college in New Jersey and modeled for Neiman Marcus before joining the low-fare carrier.
The Dallas Morning News reported Bostic died Monday, four years after being diagnosed with myeloma cancer, a cancer of the plasma cells.
According to the paper, Bostic took her last flight in May 2021 and had hoped to return to flying, but the pandemic and her diagnosis continued to make coming back to the cabin difficult.
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Bostic was 73.
