Complaint in the Case of Fitzgerald v. Pan American Airways
12/23/1954
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Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald, an international singing sensation, faced discrimination when on tour. En route to a concert from Honolulu to Australia, she was denied the right to board a Pan American flight because she was African American. She filed this complaint, along with John Lewis, Georgiana Henry, and Norman Granz, against Pan American World Airways, Inc.
Facts listed in the complaint include:
- The refusal to allow them on the plane was malicious and was motivated by prejudice because of their race and color.
- The prejudice and discrimination were committed openly and in public in front of other passengers, causing them to be personally humiliated and embarrassed, resulting in mental pain and suffering.
- There was further humiliation and embarrassment when they weren't allowed to temporarily reboard the aircraft to get their personal articles and clothes.
- They were required to spend three days in Honolulu, Hawaii, before other transportation to Australia could be secured, and Fitzgerald was unable to fulfill concert engagements.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
ruled in favor of the plaintiffs – Fitzgerald, Lewis, Henry, and Granz – who were awarded money damages.
This primary source comes from the Records of District Courts of the United States.
National Archives Identifier:
2641486Full Citation: Complaint from Ella Fitzgerald, John Lewis, Georgiana Henry, and Norman Granz v. Pan American World Airways, Inc.; 12/23/1954; Civil Case 97-356; Ella Fitzgerald, John Lewis, Georgiana Henry, and Norman Granz vs Pan American World Airways, Inc., Civil 97-356; Civil Case Files, 1938 - 1995; Records of District Courts of the United States, Record Group 21; National Archives at New York, New York, NY. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/fitzgerald-complaint, May 5, 2024]