Set Aside A Day To Introduce Girls To Aviation

On March 8th, 1910, French balloonist Raymonde de Laroche became the first woman ever issued a pilots license, making this past Monday the 100th anniversary of women as pilots. In celebration of that milestone, women pilots across the country set aside some time to take women and girls flying, hoping to inspire them as they had been inspired to learn to fly.

Mary Stittman is one such pilot. She told television station WJGH in Panama City, FL that in her family, you learned to walk, you learned to drive, and you learned to fly. "Not necessarily in that order," she quipped. Stittman said in a field that is largely dominated by men, only about 6 percent of licensed pilots worldwide are women, she still runs into gender stereotypes when she flies. She said she knows she had the advantage of growing up in an aviation family, and now hopes to convey that to other girls who might not have a chance to be exposed to aviation. "Now there are lots of opportunities for women in aviation and I think it's something girls, unless they grew up like I did in an aviation family, aren't aware of that opportunity,” said Sittman.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Florida resident Leah Dunn, who earned her pilot's license over the weekend. "Really my goal was just to get my license before my husband, and I did it,” she said. Linda Artman, a career flight attendant, said she started pilot training at 57, and just earned her instrument rating on Sunday.

All of these women participated in taking girls flying on Monday, the centennial anniversary of women as pilots. The girls learned that there were a lot of opportunities for women in aviation fields. “I've thought about it before. Like ‘oh that sounds fun.’ But now, being up here, it really does sound fun,” Kyle Marie, a 17-year old girl scout from Rutherford High School, told the station.

Women pilots worldwide attempted to set a record Monday for the most women and girls introduced to flying in a single day.

FMI: www.centennialofwomenpilots.com/, www.wai.org