Ida is a young Black woman and recent high school graduate living on a berry farm in Slidell, Louisiana. She works full-time cleaning houses to save money for flight school in Chicago, having learned to fly a crop-duster from her late father. When the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program is announced, Ida decides to use her light skin to pass as white and forges her father's pilot's license to apply. She is determined to fly and support the war effort, even though discovery would place her in extreme danger.

Patsy, nicknamed "Cakewalk," is a confident former wing-walker who joins the WASP training program. She brings a carnival performer's bravery and humor to the barracks, quickly establishing herself as a protective figure among the trainees. She fearlessly confronts prejudice from both aggressive classmates and sexist instructors.

Lily is a young Jewish woman from a wealthy background training to be a WASP pilot. Taught to fly by her military doctor fiancé, she struggles initially with the austere conditions and basic chores of barracks life. She compensates for her lack of domestic skills by offering her loyalty and swimming abilities to help her friends succeed in the program.

Jolene is Ida's best friend and coworker in Slidell, Louisiana. She has dark skin and harbors a dream of leaving her hometown to become a jazz singer in New Orleans, despite lacking the vocal talent for it. She holds traditional views on gender roles during wartime and expresses deep concern over Ida's dangerous decision to pass as white.

Walt is a broad-shouldered, silver-haired civilian instructor at Avenger Field. He treats the women trainees with respect and fairness, contrasting sharply with other male instructors at the base. His friendly demeanor quickly makes him a favorite among the students.

Thomas is Ida's older brother who left home to study medicine after witnessing their father's fatal tractor accident. He is fiercely protective of his family and enlists as an army medic to serve his country. Before departing for duty, he charges Ida with the heavy responsibility of keeping the family safe.

Mama manages the family's berry farm in Louisiana and cares deeply for her children. She harbors a deep distrust of passing as white, remembering the harsh rejection she faced from her late husband's light-skinned relatives. She strongly opposes Ida's plan to deceive the military, fearing for her daughter's physical safety and moral identity.

Grandy is Ida's maternal grandfather who moved in with the family years ago to help raise the children. He spends his days repairing his old tractor and offering quiet wisdom to his grandchildren. Though hesitant about Ida's dangerous path, he ultimately respects her autonomy as an adult capable of making her own decisions.

Abel is Ida's youngest brother. Cheerful and observant, he accidentally discovers the newspaper clipping calling for women pilots, inadvertently setting Ida's journey into motion.

Instructor Martin is a civilian flight instructor who openly resents the presence of women in the military program. He actively tries to sabotage the trainees by throwing their planes into unannounced loops, attempting to frighten them into quitting the program entirely.

Nancy is a fellow WASP trainee who displays open prejudice against women from diverse backgrounds. She mocks Patsy, Lily, and Ida upon meeting them, creating immediate hostility in the shared living quarters.

Danny is an old elementary school classmate of Ida and Jolene. He frequently compliments Ida on her light skin and hair, which causes immediate discomfort between the two friends. He soon enlists in the military to fight overseas in France.