Flying Through the Pages

July 23, 2022

Retired U.S. Navy captain, Vanderbilt professor, and former Traverse Citian Barbara Bell returns to her hometown on Saturday, July 30, for a signing of her new book, Flight Lessons: Navigating Through Life’s Turbulence. The first woman from TC to head to Annapolis—and one of the first women, period, to attend the U.S. Naval Academy—Bell had a career full of trailblazing highlights like heading to Capitol Hill in 1992 to help repeal sexist combat exclusion policies and gaining a master of science degree in astronautical engineering. After a successful career as an aviator and naval flight test officer, she retired and turned to writing, teaching, and public speaking. From defying gender norms to navigating 35 different types of aircraft, Bell captures personal stories and high-flying tales in her autobiography-slash-self-help guide. Catch the event and buy the book ($15.99) at Horizon Books in Traverse City (243 E. Front Street) on Saturday from 1pm to 3 pm.