Women in Aviation, International

Women in Aviation International
Founded 1990 (Incorporated 1994)
Founder Dr. Peggy Chabrian
Type Professional Association
Location
  • West Alexandria, Ohio
Website www.wai.org

Women in Aviation International (WAI) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that is dedicated to providing networking, education, mentoring, and scholarship opportunities for both women and men who strive for careers in the aviation and aerospace industries. Local chapters work to help break cultural stereotypes about gender and aviation careers.[1]

History

Peggy Baty Chabrian, who was dean of academic support for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University had been having trouble attracting and keeping female aviation students.[2] In order to attract more women, she suggested a seminar and invited Moya Lear, Jeana Yeager, Shannon Lucid and Bobbi Trout to speak at what would become the first annual conference in 1990.[2]

Due to the success of this annual conference, the organization was incorporated in 1994.[3] As the founder of the Women in Aviation Conference, Chabrian was named the first full-time president and CEO of the organization in 1996 by its Board of Directors.[4][5]

The largest bequest WAI received was in 2010, when Arlene Elliot left $203,000 to the group from her estate after she died.[6]

Annual conference

22nd Annual WAI Conference

Each year Women in Aviation International has hosted its annual conference, which has grown from 150 participants in 1990 to an approximate 4,500 in 2015. In 1996, there were 1,400 women attending the conference.[7] In 2013, there were more than 3,000 attendees.[8]

The conference includes educational workshops, networking opportunities with various aspects of the aviation industry, a scholarship awards banquet, and the annual WAI Pioneer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Approximately a half million dollars in scholarship money was being awarded by 2004.[9] The WAI distributed the 10 millionth scholarship dollar and gave out a total of $661,234 during the 2016 conference.[10]

In 1996, Robin Lamar and Marcia Buckingham sponsored an organizational meeting for aviation and mechanics at the WAI annual conference, leading to the formation of a new group, called the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance.[11]

Girls in Aviation Day

In 2015, WAI launched Girls in Aviation Day® observed on last Saturday of the month of September. [12] The day is intended to interest girls, ages 8 to 16, in aviation careers.[13] Individual WAI chapters design programs and activities for the day.

Other initiatives

WAI publishes a magazine called Aviation for Women which has six issues per year.[14][15]

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Ailyu, Abdullateef (22 October 2015). "Nigeria: 'Why Women Shy Away From Careers in Aviation'". All Africa. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  2. 1 2 Garvey, William (20 January 2014). "A Higher Education". Aviation Week & Space Technology. 176 (2): 18. Retrieved 20 July 2016 – via EBSCO. (subscription required (help)).
  3. ↑ "Women in Aviation Annual Meeting". Flying Magazine. 124 (6): 37. June 1997. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  4. ↑ Announcing Peggy Baty founder and first President
  5. ↑ Kelly Nelson (March 2015). "From First Flight to Founder". Sport Aviation: 110.
  6. ↑ Swickard, James (July 2010). "Women in Aviation, International Receives Bequest From Aviation Pioneer". Business & Commercial Aviation. 106 (7): 24. Retrieved 20 July 2016 – via EBSCO. (subscription required (help)).
  7. ↑ "Women in Aviation Conference Sets Attendance Records". Flying Magazine. 123 (6): 44. June 1996. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  8. ↑ Hood, Ralph (April 2013). "WIA - Still Growing & Thriving". Airport Business. 27 (4): 16. Retrieved 20 July 2016 – via EBSCO. (subscription required (help)).
  9. ↑ Douglas 2004, p. 256.
  10. ↑ Bergqvist, Pia (15 March 2016). "Women in Aviation Breaks Records". Flying. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  11. ↑ Douglas 2004, p. 245-246.
  12. ↑ USPO Trademark Database record for Girls in Aviation Day
  13. ↑ Campbell, Colin (26 September 2015). "Girls check out aviation careers at RDU". The News & Observer. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  14. ↑ Mica, John L. (2005). "Salute to Dr. Peggy Chabrian". Congressional Record, V. 151, Pt. 6, April 21, 2005 to May 5, 2005. United States Congress. p. 8663.
  15. ↑ "Aviation for Women Magazine". Women in Aviation. Retrieved 20 July 2016.

Sources

External links

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