NTSB Chairman Details the Tradition of Women’s Service in Aviation

On February 25th through February 27th, 2010, the Women in Aviation International organization held their 21st annual conference; over 3,000 women and men gathered at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort to celebrate the 2010 WAI Conference theme, “Aviation – It’s a Small World.” Developed in 1990, Women in Aviation, International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of women throughout aviation career sectors and interests.

WAI strives to promote public education on historical contributions of women within the aviation industry; the organization’s 8,000+ membership includes a wide-range of industry representatives including astronauts, corporate pilots, maintenance technicians, air traffic controllers, flight attendants, air show performers, educators and students. In an effort to optimize these networking opportunities, Women in Aviation, International began annual WAI conferences, holding the first gathering in 1990. As a crucial hub for both career advancement and education, WAI conference attendees partake in general information sessions, seminars, and educational forums.

One such forum at the 2010 WAI convention was a riveting keynote speech by the Honorable Deborah Hersman. Following her nomination by President Barack Obama and subsequent senate confirmation, Hersman became the 12th Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board on July 28th, 2009. Before joining the NTSB Board on June 21st, 2004, Hersman served as a Senior Professional Staff Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation from 1999 to 2004.

During her speech, Hersman drew from her many years of experience to discuss the rewards of public service, the importance of safety, and the continuing criticality of professionalism in the industry. Join Aero-TV for the second part of Hersman’s speech detailing the challenges that face aviation professionals today.

FMI: www.wai.org, www.wai.org/10conference/index.cfm, www.ntsb.gov, www.ntsb.gov/Abt_NTSB/bios/hersman.htm, www.aero-tv.net, www.youtube.com/aerotvnetwork, http://twitter.com/AeroNews