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AMY LABODA in Aviation Dayexperience. compelling for model role the girls help so enrich their Girls league, coworker, or Yourco-pilot. presence serves as a come. After all, you just maybe talking to yourfuture col tour the exhibit hall this afternoon. Make the girls feel wel you’ll have achance with to the interact girls when they bet: It’s all part of Girls in Aviation Day Reno. tor, reading a sectionalchart, learning the phonetic alpha women about their unique aviationcareers. Flying a simula of role models for the girls as they hear from actual working aviationcolleges and universities. There will be no shortage What’s more, it’s all fun! offer. to has aviation that all in 17 to immersed 8 be will of speakers, hands-on activities, games andmore, girls ages that style aviation and aerospace present.Through a host The Daily The OF WOMEN IN AVIATION INTERNATIONAL After their activities and After their theirGirls activities in Aviation lunch, Day Older girls will be able to meet with representatives from 30TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL WAI IN CONFERENCE WELCOME THE NEXT GENERATIONWELCOME NEXT THE mothers and aunts and oth and aunts and mothers sibilities and the amazingsibilities life introduced to the pos career day being the spend will ers, T A IN A W Girls omen VIA

March 24 March in Saturday the conference with attending girls and including Girl Scouts area girls, local oday l Aviation RENO TION D International 2018

AY Event ------chair of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. of Canada. Board Safety Transportation of the chair 2014, as In of term operations. president to a four-year she appointed was vice and services control traffic of air director the as shewhere served Nav Canada with positions more senior assumed She Centre. Control Area at the and Dorval Montreal- and Saint-Hubert Sept-Iles, Baie-Comeau, towers in control 1974 in Canada troller at Transport D.C. , in Museum & Space Air nian Smithso at the on display is uniform pilot routes. American Her 757/767Boeing the in international and on captain domestic as flying a career.” as of women aviation who choose generations for doors future opened as well as to aviation contributions markable of Fame honors women who re made Hall Pioneer International “Our Chabrian. to not time,” lost is WAI Dr. says Peggy aviation President in Dinner. Celebration closing conference’s the from) separate to (and prior place take will ceremony The Room C4). of Fame Center (Convention Hall Pioneer WAI’s into ed International traffic controllers, and more,” adds Dr. Chabrian. and more,” Dr. controllers, adds Chabrian. traffic air aviation, general military, government, airlines, of the resentatives rep byWAI held members—international backgrounds and careers tion wwww.wai.org website at of the of Fame section Hall apioneer, Pioneer inate go to the on how to nom- For or innovators. pioneers, information setters, record as contributions 1992 in to honor womenlished who have significant made Guard. National Air of Columbia trict Dis the of commander the as was assignment levels. final Her wing and Kathleen Fox Kathleen of women’s history accomplishments rich the that “We to ensure want induct be will pioneers new at 5 p.m., three beginning a ceremony In The Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame estab was Hall Pioneer Women International The Aviation in 2018 Hall of Fame Pioneers of 2018 Hall - of avia variety the mirror year’s slate of inductees . “This began a career as an air traffic con traffic air an as acareer began Tonight We our Honor Women in Aviation in Women ing 727. At the time of her retirement in 1998, in 727. she was ing of retirement her time the At Boe the on captain officer, and first engineer, flight as she flew Airlines, crew. American At cockpit the of as a member major bya hired woman first 1973. March in She the was pilot Airlines American port aircraft and commanded at both the squadron squadron the at both commanded and aircraft port trans VIP and trainers military in hours 5,900 flight than more she logged career, military her cer. During offi maintenance aircraft and apilot both as 28 years more than served Force having Air States United the The 29th Annual Annual 29th The Brig. Caputo Tiburzi Bonnie International Conference

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retired in 2009 from from 2009 in K.McTagueLinda retired was hired at age 24 as an an as 24 at age hired was ------Hiring Briefings PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE S A T U R D A Y , One More Day–Let’s Have Fun! MARCH 24 ’m always surprised when I wake up on the Saturday morning of CHRISTOPHER MILLER CHRISTOPHER our conference and realize this is the last day. Part of me is pleased Convention Room A1 that we’re on the home stretch and I can (usually) say everything 11-11:45 a.m. United I has gone off without a hitch. But I’m also always a bit sad. I love spend- 1-1:45 p.m. Horizon ing time with our members, meeting you and hearing your stories. 2-2:45 p.m. Delta What I love most is the energy of this conference. If we could harness 3-3:45 p.m. Dr. Peggy Chabrian our enthusiasm, we could light up a city with it. I love to see the smiles On Thursday, we welcomed on your faces, the laughter and the hugs which helps make this confer- new members into the ence like no other. Convention Room A2 WAI Wings Society We still have one day to go—and what a day it will be. In addition to 11-11:45 a.m. P&W/UTAS including Abigail Reyes. our regular activities of our general session featuring fantastic speakers 1-1:45 p.m. Southwest and our afternoon education sessions, the conference will end on a dif- 2-2:45 p.m. UPS ferent note. Using feedback from our members, we are trying something new this year. Rather than incorporating our Pioneer Hall of Fame ceremony into the banquet, we are making it a separate ac- Convention Room A3 tivity which will take place prior to the evening’s celebration. And rather than our usual closing ban- 11-11:45 a.m. Aurora quet, we’re making tonight far less formal—and hopefully more relaxed and more fun. This is an ex- periment for this year so we will count on your feedback—so make sure you return your conference 1-1:45 p.m. Emirates surveys to us so we can see how this worked for you. 2-2:45 p.m. Jeppesen Once again, thank you for attending this conference. You are part of an amazing community! 3-3:45 p.m. FedEx Shuttle Bus S A T U R D A Y , MARCH 24 Thanks to our incredible staff of volunteer writers and photographers. First bus leaves Peppermill Thank you Resort at 7 a.m. Your cheerful enthusiasm and hard work helped make publishing this Last bus leaves convention year’s Daily a breeze. Thank you and see you in Long Beach! center at 9:15 p.m.

The Daily is a publication of Focus on Business Women in Aviation International, published during the annual Women-owned businesses in aviation are no longer as conference. scarce as hens’ teeth. That said, they are still in the minor- MILLER CHRISTOPHER ity, but #WAI18 is a great place to find the dynamic women Kelly Murphy, Editor-in-Chief entrepreneurs and business professionals on the rise. Amy Laboda, Editor For example, AeroStar Training Services LLC, (Booth Patricia Luebke, Editor At Large 130) based in Kissimmee, , offers pilot training, Nancy Bink, Art Director a career pilot academy, and courses. It’s Dr. Peggy Chabrian, President a FAA Certified 142 Training Center so training includes type ratings on the A320, B737, and BBJ. Deidra Toye, CEO, is in the business of bringing more people into the aviation Contact Kelly Murphy, industry, a goal that brought her to WAI. Her career began to advertise in The Daily: in operations and compliance with a Florida flight school [email protected] where a mentor taught her the ins and outs of running a Office: 703-716-0503 school. Years later, her career and experience has taken off, and she now operates her own school. or here at the conference, Deidra has an acute understanding of what it was like to be “just getting started in aviation, and not Cell: 703-967-8113 knowing what path to choose.” She actively mentors those new to the field. This year, AeroStar Training Services is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Great things are happening, Women in Aviation International® they are excited to announce the 30,000 sq. ft. expansion of their campus along with new simulators. 3647 State Route 503 South The company also has an Aircraft Maintenance Division, and offers youth aviation camps. West Alexandria, OH 45381 AeroStar has been a part of Women in Aviation International for years, and the company is looking Telephone 937-839-4647 forward to offering a type rating scholarship to a WAI member in 2019 at our 30th anniversary confer- www.WAI.org ence in Long Beach, California. —Joy Haugh Forrest, WAI 41310

2

Engineering the Next Wave Want to be part of the next wave of aviation? The engineers from Aurora Flight Sci- ences, an independent subsidiary of The Company, want you to know that you should be looking at getting involved with unmanned aircraft. Attending the conference to actively support women in aviation and engineering, Jessica Jones, an engineer with Aurora, states, “Diversity increases performance.” The engineers are spreading the word about the exciting work taking place with several types of UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). UAVs can do the dirty, dangerous, repetitious work that people can’t. “We are committed to recruiting and retain- Developing the unmanned aircraft requires a wide range of roles from mechanical ing the best and brightest people from the and electrical engineers to project managers. broadest talent pool possible, so that we All of these skills are required in the current development of the XV-24A, a verti- can serve our customers globally,” said Mary cal take-off and landing X-Plane. A model of the UAV is on display at the Aurora booth Ann Cannon, Pratt & Whitney Vice President, 207, according to Melissa Dominquez, Avionics IPT (Integrated product team) lead en- Commercial Engine Programs. As part of that gineer. The aircraft is trying to fill the gap of where no aircraft exist. A full-scale ver- effort a small team of dedicated women from sion is currently in development. There are many systems on the aircraft that need to the company volunteered to compile a book be developed as they go since they are all new! recognizing the women who have built and Other exciting things the Aurora team has been involved in is the Orion vehicle, which engineered Pratt & Whitney’s products for holds a record for the longest unmanned flight for its vehicle type at 80 hours. The team more than 90 years. Look for it in the United is working on Block one—certifying the aircraft. This is a first for a UAV so part of the Technologies booth 417. The pictures and his- project is Interpreting FAA certification rules as it applies to drones/UAVs. tory within its pages will captivate you, too. Stop by the Aurora booth 207 to learn more about you could be involved in the ex- citing future of UAVs! ­—Michelle Graves, WAI 45798

EDUCATION SESSIONS

Saturday March 24 C1 C2 C3 C4 D1 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7

1:45-2:45 Corporate Flying The Landing Soviet Perspec- Air Force Check- Clouds Aviation While Impostor Your Night tive vs Wings ride-itis: Tell a p.m. Career Pregnant Phenom- Dream Witches Perception Overcome Story Panel enon Job of WWII Fear

3-4 p.m. What’s From Inspire Learning Defrag Alaska: Aviation Just a It Like to Military to Winning to Lead Your Brain Flying Marriage Private Be a Commer- Teams the Last Pilot Mechanic cial Frontier

CONNECT  ENGAGE  INSPIRE

Saturday, March 24 WAI 2018 Registration Volunteer Reno-Sparks Convention Center Convention Center Lobby Sign Up/Check-in General Session S A T U R D A Y , Information 9-10:30 a.m. • Hall 4 MARCH 24 Lost and Found Girls in Aviation Day Reno Program 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Convention Center Lobby For girls ages 8-17 and chaperones 9 a.m.-3 p.m. • Rooms F1-8 (Preregistration required) Exhibits Hiring Briefings Convention Center Hall 2 WAI Pioneer Hall of Fame Ceremony & Awards Rooms A1, A2, A3 5-6 p.m. • Room C4 S A T U R D A Y , S A T U R D A Y , MARCH 24 Celebration Dinner MARCH 24 6-8 p.m. • Hall 4 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

4 Taking #WAI18 Home It was 2001, a watershed year. For a lot of us we could How you execute hardly believe we’d seen the turn of the millennium. MILLER CHRISTOPHER what you now know, Women in Aviation International was having its first how you maximize Reno, , conference (its 12th conference over- who you now know all) and I was the volunteer in charge of setting up and monitoring all of the general sessions and breakout ses- sions. It was an overwhelming position, but I loved it. I got to work with hotel audio/ visual staff and meet all of WAI’s speakers one-on-one. In the headphones backstage I heard my name called out (not something I liked because that usually meant some- thing very bad just happened). Except this time they were calling me onstage to award the Bruce Baty Volunteer of the Year award—it went to me and to my friend and mentor Debbie Harvey, who lives in Reno. I was astounded and honored to be appreciated for all that hard work. Looking out from the stage at the sea of excited faces in front of me only made me want to do more. Less than a year later I was edi- tor of Aviation for Women magazine. Seventeen conferences later I can tell you, even though you think that the reason you are here is for the learning, for the networking, for the scholarships and chance to connect with the next company you’ll work with: that’s not really it. Because WAI is where you go, how you move into your future with this knowledge, those con- tacts. Take it all home but do not tuck it away. Pull out the business cards and write each person a “great to meet you, thanks for the advice” note. Contemplate handwriting the thank you notes and snail-mailing them if you have an address. Handwriting is personal. And that knowledge gained, those resources procured? Use it. If you’ve learned about new technology or techniques, incorporate them into your life. If you’ve got newfound skills, put them to use. That’s how you make #WAI18 carry you right on through to #WAI19. See ya next year in Long Beach! — Amy Laboda, WAI 14, Founding Board member

5 Exhibits • Hall 2 M Booth 22-24 745 2018 FAA CAMI Hypoxia Training 2018 Enclosure Exhibit Hall Hours S A T U R D A Y , MARCH 24 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Silent Auction Hours (Auction is only open during exhibit hall hours) Convention Hall 2 Booth 501 S A T U R D A Y , MARCH 24 10:30 a.m-12:30 p.m.

Booth Booth Booth 501 301 101 Silent WAI WAI Auction Member- Store ship Authors Corner

6 414 CommutAir|United 731 Institute of Aviation at 601 SkyWest Airlines Express Parkland College 337 Southern Illinois Exhibitors 631 Compass Airlines 117 International Society of University Take part 128 Contrail Women Airline Pilots 737 Southern Utah in the 2018 334 Abingdon Co 335 Coradine–LogTen Pro X 716 International Society University Aviation of Air Safety 425 541 ABX Air 231 David Clark Investigators Company Inc. 435 WAI Silent 130 Aerostar Training 438 Jacksonville University Services 736 Defense Contract 726 205 Jeppesen Auction! 239 AeroTEC Management Agency 614 Texas Woman’s 513 Inc. 110 JetBlue Airways University The proceeds from the Si- 330 LLC lent Auction go to the WAI 430 Delta State University– 125 JETPUBS Inc. 126 The Ohio State 700 Air Force Civilian Endowment Fund, which Service Commercial Aviation 705 JetSuite University provides scholarships to 120 Air Force Reserve 236 Desert Jet 434 JSfirm.com 228 Thomas Edison State 701 doTERRA International 707 Kent State University University deserving WAI members 424 Air Line Pilots Associa- and also supports a num- tion International 521 DUATS 527 L3 CTS Airline Academy 733 Trans States Airlines ber of education projects. 219 Air Race Classic Inc. 714 EagleMed LLC/AirMed 442 Las Vivid Inc. 704 Transportation Secu- rity Administration 729 Air Transport 418 Embry-Riddle Aero- 442 Lewis University (TSA/D) International Inc. (ATI) Pay $1 at nautical University 135 Long Beach, California 720 Travelpro 1. Register 407  Airlines the Silent Auction Table, Corp. 539 Emirates Airlines 340  Aviation 241 U.S. Coast Guard Booth 501. You will be as- Training USA Recruiting Command 317 Airbus 727 signed an auction number. 718 M & H Uniforms 411 428 Airline Ground Schools 519 325 Inc. 609 Middle Tennessee 441 University Aviation 2. Bid Print your auction 625 State University Association number and the amount of 237 725 Executive Jet Management 543  216 University of Dubuque your bid on the sheet next 739 Alpha Eta Rho 318 Experimental Aircraft 638 426 University of to any desired item on the 620 Amazon Association (EAA) 538 National Air Traffic North Dakota Silent Auction Table. 225 416 ExpressJet Airlines Controllers Association 212 UPS Bid 327 American Airlines 607 FAA/Airmen DUI/DWI 119 National Gay Pilots 642 US Aviation Academy 3. Continue Association Federal Credit Union Program 702 US Customs & Border throughout the day. You 329 LLC 745 FAA Civil Aerospace 717 National Geospatial- Protection– may bid as often as neces- Intelligence Agency Air & Marine 412 Aircraft Owners and Pi- Medical Institute sary, but must be within lots Association (AOPA) 129 FAA Wildlife Strike 618 National WASP WWII 540 US Marine Corps the minimum bid incre- Museum 221 Association for Database and Website 124 USAA ments and time allocated. 643 NetJets Women in Aviation 734 Falcon Aviation 626 USDA Forest Service Maintenance (AWAM) Academy 217 Ninety-Nines Inc. Bidding on items 315 Utah State University 4. Win! 619 Inc. 628 Federal Aviation 331 NOAA Aviation Aviation begins in the Exhibit Hall at Administration Weather Center 530 ATP Flight School 417 UTC|Pratt & Whitney 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 401 FedEx Express 537 Ohio University 443 Auburn University 132 Vaughn College of 22. Bidding closes on some Aviation Center 728 Flexjet 338 Aeronautics and items at 4 p.m. on Friday, 207 Aurora Flight Sciences 536 Flight School Associa- 636 OSM Aviation– Technology March 23. All other items 304 Aviall Services Inc. tion of North America Norwegian 301 WAI Membership/ close at 12:30 p.m. on Sat- Chapter Booth 640 Aviation Relocation 131 FlightSafety 639  International urday, March 24. International International Flight Academy 101 WAI Merchandise (Refer to the individual bid 440 Aviation Search Group 238 FltPlan.com 724 Pearls With Purpose 501 WAI Silent Auction sheets for specific closing LLC 634 Forever Young 709 Phoenix East Aviation 624 Walmart Aviation times.) (PEA) 313 AviationJewelry.Com 635 Freight Runners 316 Western Michigan 201 The Boeing Company Express 224 Univer­sity College of 5. Collect your treasures Aviation If you have the winning 113 Bombardier Aerospace 721 534 PilotCredentials.com 617 Westminster College bid on items that close Fri- 218 CAE 343 FSSolutions 235 Piper Aircraft Inc. 116 Garmin 118 PlaneSense Inc. 615 Whirly-Girls day, you may pay for and 535 California Aeronautical International University 342 Global Retail 226 PSA Airlines retrieve your items at the 121 Wings Financial Credit Silent Auction Table after 436 California Baptist 439 GoJet Airlines 134 PSA Airlines Connect Union University the bidding closes, or on 211 Gulfstream, A General 243 Ravn Air Group 703 Wings For Val Saturday. If you have the 730 California Wing Dynamics Company Foundation Specialties 339 Republic Airline winning bid on items that 741 Halldale Group 612 Women in Corporate 114 / 605 Saint Louis University close at 12:30 p.m. on Sat- 726 Aviation Science Aviation Nantucket Airlines urday, they can be picked 629 613 Signature Flight 616 Women Military 641 Charleston Shoe Aviators up from 1-3 p.m. at the Company 234 IFOD–Flight Dispatch Support Corporation 529 XOJET Inc. Silent Auction Tables. 711 Charter College Training 719 Aviation 706 INB Medical 525 SkyOne We accept Amex, Visa, Federal Credit Union MasterCard, checks, cash.

7 WAI Chapter Showcase Fast 40 Schedule

(located in the WAI Membership MILLER CHRISTOPHER Booth in the Exhibit Hall) S A T U R D A Y , SATURDAY, MARCH 24 MARCH 24 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 11-11:40 a.m. Ghana Chapter Virtual Chapter Bettina Mrusek and Kristine Kiernan present the tools and tricks they have for running a successful virtual chapter with members from across the United States and several countries. Special Interest Group Meetings Saturday Sponsored by Pratt&Whitney 1:00-1:40 p.m. AWAM Scholarship Breakfast Growing & Running a Chapter: SATURDAY, MARCH 24 • 7-9 a.m. Peppermill Tuscany Ballroom F Social Media Tools, Continuity Tool, Chapter Handbook and Annual Reporting Women Military Aviators Annual Business Meeting Chrissi Culver and others discuss what social media tools you SATURDAY, MARCH 24 • 8-9 a.m. should be using to grow your chapter, how to take full advantage Convention Room D5 of WAI’s continuity tool and Chapter Handbook, and walks you ALPA Coffee and Conversation through the requirements of annual reporting to keep your chap- SATURDAY, MARCH 24 • 10:30-11 a.m. ter running. Convention Room D8 WCA Annual Membership Meeting & Luncheon 2:00-2:40 p.m. WAI Mentorship Program SATURDAY, MARCH 24 • 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Convention Room A10 Learn about WAI’s mentorship program and what you can gain from participating—either as a mentor or mentee.

New! WAI Jobs Connect Looking for Qualified Employees or Interns?

Jobs Connect is one of the many benefits of WAI Corporate membership. Corporate members can now post job and internship openings—at no charge— on the WAI website. Nearly 14,000 active WAI members may see your job and internship opportunities. To post a job or internship, your company must be an active Corporate member. Become a Mentor You can use WAI Corporate member login One of the greatest benefits of being a member of the WAI community information to access WAI Jobs Connect is the mentoring relationships made by connecting with other members. and can post as many positions as you like If you, or a member of your company, would like to become a potential for free! Each posting is active for 30 days mentor for another WAI member log in at www.WAI.org to update your and can be renewed. mentor profile. Under your name and member number you’ll see the op- Questions about your Corporate member- tion to select Mentor. Check the Online Mentor box, fill in your details, ship status? Contact Stephanie Gordon and you’re all set. Within 15 minutes the site will display your name as a [email protected] • 937-839-4647 willing mentor for the WAI community. www.WAI.org/members/jobs-connect

8 Honoring the WASP

and often painful sacrifices these women made. And how many walls they knocked down! And so, as Memorial Day ap- proaches, what better use of our time than to honor the WASP who have passed by visiting and decorating COURTESY NELSONPHOTO OF JENNIFER their graves? WAI is currently search- ing for a master list of WASP graves and if you have any ideas or leads on this, please email Kelly Murphy at Jennifer Nelson and daughter got to meet [email protected]. But you can do WASP Millicent Peters and hold the some research of your own. Inves- Congressional Medal of Honor. tigate your local cemeteries to see if y love affair, if you could call it there are any WASP laid to rest there. aloud. We have an unofficial goal of honor- that, with the WASP was solidi- Honoring the WASP is an activity that ing 100 WASP graves. To help us reach that M fied at a WAI conference in 2009 you can do as a WAI chapter or as an indi- goal, please photograph your “ceremony” in . WASP Marion Stegeman Hodg- vidual. We’ll update you about this project and tweet it with #HonoringTheWASP. We’ll son was the after-dinner speaker at that in WAI’s April Connect e-newsletter, but if retweet all of them to share in the memory. year’s closing banquet. She was frail and you know of a WASP grave, bear in mind And for our international members, we was guided from her seat on the dais to the want to include you as well. You may not podium while everyone sort of held their As Memorial Day approaches, observe Memorial Day when we do here in breath. When she spoke, however, her voice what better use of our time the United States, but we welcome any simi- was clear and strong. lar activities for women military pioneers in She began, “You never know what an old than to honor the WASP who your own countries. lady has been up to.” It was a moment I’ll Memorial Day is Monday, May 28th, but never forget and whether at a WAI confer- have passed by visiting and we’ll be visiting and honoring the WASP ence or at Oshkosh, I was always thrilled to decorating their graves. all weekend so please find some time away simply be in the presence of the WASP and from picnics and beach visits and cookouts always thought their beautiful faces just that cemeteries, particularly military cem- to remember and honor women who have glow. At least, they do for me. eteries, have rules and regulations about done so much for us. When I wrote an article about Corne- what can be left at a gravesite. To simplify I googled Marion Stegeman Hodgson and lia Fort for Aviation for Women, I found a the rules, you can’t go wrong with real (not learned that she was laid to rest at Oconee collection of her letters on line, and read- artificial) flowers in a plastic (not glass or Cemetery in Athens, . If any WAI ing them transformed Cornelia for me from metal) container. If you’re not sure, or want members are near there, please do me a fa- merely a historical figure to a living, breath- to do something more, consult with the vor and go to the cemetery to honor and re- ing woman. Reading her letters made her cemetery’s management first. member her. real for me. And I think of that when I look What else should you do? That’s up to —Patricia Luebke, WAI 1954, at the always cool black and white photos of you. You could simply have a moment of si- is a -based writer and war-time WASP and think what tremendous lence. Or sing a , or thank the WASP columnist for Aviation for Women.

“We are focusing our efforts and energy on the pilot supply at United. We are exceptionally proud and happy to announce CHRISTOPHER MILLER CHRISTOPHER our career path programs that are now reaching down into the university level. We are looking to the future and how we can attract and support the aviation pilot supply need.” —Susan White, senior manager, pilot hiring programs, United Airlines

9 NAA Presents Two Trophies to WAI Members Stinson Trophy

CHRISTOPHER MILLER CHRISTOPHER The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) yester- day awarded Shaesta Waiz, WAI 45659 and founder

of �reams Soar, Inc., the 2017 Katherine and Marjo- GRUBB PAULA rie Stinson Trophy. The Stinson Trophy was created in 1997 by NAA to honor the accomplishments of the two sisters who were among the first 11 American women to be certified as pilots. Shaesta is being recognized for “...utilizing her solo around the world flight to inspire and encourage girls and young women to pursue ca- reers in aviation and STEM.” Born in a refugee camp in Afghanistan in 1987, NGPA AT #WAI18 Shaesta and her family traveled to America to escape the Soviet-Afghan war. Shaesta grew up in Richmond, At the confluence of two minority aviation groups is California, and attended school in an underprivileged school district. Her passion for avia- a formidable flock of ladies—the women of the Na- tion started during her first commercial airline flight from California to Florida at the age tional Gay Pilots Association (NGPA) in booth 119. of 18. That experience proved to be life changing, as she fell in love with aviation. Shaesta This group of female aviators shares a close bond. became the first in her family to receive college and post-graduate degrees from Embry- Their dual citizenship of sorts extends a chance for Riddle Aeronautical University. She’s got a commercial pilot rating and was the first certi- our society to embrace and behold the power of di- fied civilian female pilot from Afghanistan. Shaesta dreamed of inspiring girls to achieve versity and inclusion. their goals regardless of the challenges and traditions they face. She decided to become the youngest woman to circumnavigate the world, solo, in a single-engine airplane, host- Both groups continue, through ing outreach events along her journey to engage, empower, inspire and motivate youth to hard work and perseverance, explore STEM related fields and aviation education. Shaesta founded Dreams Soar, Inc. in 2014. She assembled her “Dream Team,” com- to change the tone of aviation for a prised of college students and seasoned industry professionals. After years of planning, brighter, more inclusive future. on May 13, 2017, she launched. Her journey took her to 22 countries, including Afghani- stan, where she held 32 outreach events, inspiring more than 3,000 youth. Four and a half And can we talk about just how cool they are in months after her trip began, she landed back at Daytona Beach on October 4, 2017. their own right? Julie Tizard, former Air Force pilot Shaesta is speaking today at the General Session and at the Girls in Aviation lunch. turned airline diva, wrote a novel entitled The Road to Wings. Kit Warfield, pilot extraordinaire, Wright Trophy had a starring role in Microsoft . And Major Chrystina Jones, WAI 45090, and a United States there are many more incredible stories and personal- Air Force pilot, was awarded the 2017 Katharine Wright PAULA GRUBB PAULA ities within this network of empowered women. Trophy. The trophy was established in 1981 and is award- Jan Anderson, captain at American Airlines, was ed annually to an individual who “...has contributed to recently appointed to Vice President of the NGPA. the success of others, or made a personal contribution When asked about the benefits of being in WAI and to the advancement of the art, sport, and science of avia- NGPA, she said, “I’m very excited to see diversity tion and space flight over an extended period of time.” and inclusion expanding in both organizations and Chrystina is being recognized for “... her commitment the possibilities for new members in each other’s to encouraging women across the globe to pursue and groups is endless.” succeed in aviation careers.” NGPA board member Kathy Dulson has been a A U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, Chrystina complet- longtime WAI member. She said, “I actually learned ed pilot training and was qualified as a C-130 pilot. While about NGPA from attending an WAI conference! deployed in Iraq, she was inspired to help the women of Visibility of NGPA at the WAI event is important for Iraq by encouraging them to become leaders in the field she knew best—aviation. In 2010, people to learn of our organization and our advo- Chrystina founded the WAI Horizon East Chapter. As the chapter grew and the concept of cacy in aviation. Our attendance also allows us to Iraqi women in aviation gained momentum, she partnered with the U.S. Embassy in Bagh- spread the word of scholarship opportunities avail- dad to host a reception to outline increasing opportunities for women in the field of avia- able through the NGPA.” tion. Iraqi women traveled from across the country to attend this unprecedented event, The NGPA reveres WAI as a mentor organiza- where they learned how to make a career as a pilot, in air traffic control, or in airport man- tion. Both groups continue, through hard work and agement. The event was broadcast internationally, and the woman who attended became perseverance, to change the tone of aviation for a powerful role models for their communities. brighter, more inclusive future. At Yokota Air Base in Japan, Chrystina invited Caroline Kennedy, Ambassador to Japan, —Robbie Barnhart, WAI 46389, is an airline pilot to speak at the Women’s History Month luncheon attended by 322 personnel Chrystina based in , Washington. He’s a proud member also organized a bilateral women’s career fair for 550 American and Japanese students of WAI since 2010 and NGPA member since 2012. showcasing over 30 professional fields. —Kelly Murphy, WAI 2397

10 #IamWAI #IamWAI

We are pilots, mechanics, #IamWAI air traffic controllers, airport managers, aerospace engineers, flight attendants, astronauts, educators, enthusiasts, and members of the military. We are Women in Aviation International.

JOIN US! WWW.WAI.ORG

PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER MILLER CHRISTOPHER BY PHOTOS 11 connect withotherswhoshare yourpassionfortheaviationindustry. #WomeninAviation There’s nobetterplacetobeinspired, share yourenthusiasm,and • Fameof Hall • Pioneer trailblazers honoring industry;our of • • • exhibit hallshowcasing andproducts services from 170companies; • • • You want don’t to the miss speakers, games andmore. to aviation career through possibilities activities, hands-on Aviation in Girls Day Beach introducing Long ages girls, 8-17, and socialevents; chapter activities providing leadership fundraising skills, ideas, with mentors; student andyoung professionalevents connecting mentees career for skills various segmentsthe industry; of professionaldevelopment seminars andworkshops teaching leadership, maintenance, military andmore; education sessions covering suchas topics work/life balance, commercial,GA, aerospace andmilitary; keynote speakers representing segmentsvarious theindustry— of Cheers to30years! Long BeachConventionCenter next year aswe markthree decades ofcoming together, mentoring, networking, and sharing thetrademark positive energy found at ourannual conference. Join Women inAviation International inLongBeach, California, March 14-16,2019 •

#IamWAI

www.wai.org/19conference for more details. •

Visit Visit #WAI19

PHOTO COURTESY LONG BEACH CVB