Steady Progress Towards Introducing Girls To Flight

At the Women in Aviation Conference in Nashville, TN last year, the newest chapter was the Nigeria chapter. Several of the ladies attended this year's conference in Orlando, FL, and it was time to perform a follow-up.

Catching up with chapter president Rejoice Ndudinachi was no easy feat. She was hard at work collecting information in the exhibitors hall to share with the other ladies who could not make the trip. Eight others were able to accompany Ndudinachi this year.

"We are working to bring the women together to make sure they come together because some of them are very busy," promised Ndudinachi. "We are doing our best to make sure they join in the chapter meeting."

The meetings are where the group works to put together aviation kits for the Girl Guides. The chapter is working with one of the primary schools in Nigeria. "We're encouraging the young girls to accept aviation and everything that concerns aviation," said Ndudinachi.

Aiding their efforts is the fact the school is near an airport -- giving the girls a natural curiosity about the aircraft that fly over their heads every day. "They want to know more about flying."

The chapter introduces the young girls to flying using kites, to push their imaginations forward.

One of the future goals in addition to encouraging the young girls, is to encourage the older girls. "To assist the members to achieve their aviation goals," said Ndudinachi. "Our chapter is also working toward providing scholarships."

Membership has increased for the group over the year, with close to 40 members. About 30 of those attend the meetings, and the hope is for 60 by the San Diego conference in 2008. The chapter is still trying to bring the WAI International members into the local group as well.

"They miss a lot of things if they're not a local member," said Ndudinachi. "We are trying to encourage them."

FMI: www.wai.org