Women Aviators Connect, Inspire And Enjoy EAA AirVenture
By Maxine Scheer
Now in its 8th consecutive year, WomenVenture, a collaboration between EAA and Women in Aviation International (WAI), has become a highlight of the programs at AirVenture. Wednesday, July 22, 2015 was packed with WomenVenture programs and offered women aviation enthusiasts the opportunity to connect with and inspire one another while enjoying one of the world’s largest aviation events.
WAI Executive Director Dr. Peggy Chabrian and WAI Chair Amy Corbette, FAA New England Regional Administrator, kicked off the day welcoming over 400 women, wearing this year’s coral WomenVenture t-shirts, at the annual WAI Connect Breakfast at the EAA Nature Center. The event included many WAI supporters and sponsors, both men and women, four of the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs), and a number of inspirational speakers.
Jessica Cox provided opening remarks. Jessica holds a world record for being the first armless person in aviation history to earn a pilot's certificate. Jessica encouraged attendees to stop thinking, “I can’t”. She announced her new book, “Disarm your limits” and a documentary, “Right Footed”, being featured this week at the EAA Museum.
Capt. Christine Walsh, Boeing 787 Dreamliner test pilot, encouraged attendees to pursue their aviation passion; “write down your dreams, find a mentor and make sure you know what’s unique about you.”
Adding to the enthusiasm were over 50 high school girls who participated in the EAA Women Soar You Soar program, who were treated after the breakfast to a briefing from the WASPs, who shared their humor and insight from experience as WWII women aviators.
Chabrian announced the availability of 102 separate WAI scholarships with a combined value of more than $488,000. These, and potentially others, will be awarded during the 27th annual International Women in Aviation Conference at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville from March 10-12, 2016. Since 1995, WAI has awarded approximately $10 million in scholarships.
Other events today included the annual photo shoot of women aviators on Boeing Plaza and the WomenVenture Power Lunch at Theatre on the Woods. Lunch speakers featured Cindy Hasselbring, who leads STEM education initiatives for the Maryland State Department of Education and Dr. Kathy Sullivan, a distinguished scientist, acclaimed astronaut and Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Following the Power Lunch, participants heard from Vernice Armour, the first African-American female naval aviator in the Marine Corps and the first African American female combat pilot in the U.S. Armed Forces. She flew the AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopter in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Vernice described her experience in Iraq on a difficult combat mission, and its relationship to her transition into civilian life. She encouraged everyone to “acknowledge obstacles, but don’t give them power”.
Later in the day, Chabrian met with FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to sign an amendment to an MOU between FAA and WAI, to expand the formal partnership. “The most important thing about this MOU with WAI is to strengthen the network and relationships to help grow the future of aviation,” said Huerta.
Capping off of the day’s celebration were many extraordinary women performing in today’s Air Show including the 108 Record Setting Skydivers, and female airshow performers: Patty Wagstaff, Julie Clark, Melissa Pemberton, and Teresa Stokes (Wing Walker).
(Staff images)
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