Funds Go to Support the Cause via Educational Programs, Scholarships

Women in Aviation International (WAI) received a $100,000 grant from the William Penn Foundation Special Gifts Program, earmarked to support the group's aim of augmenting the percentage of female aviators.

“With COVID's profound effect on the aviation industry, we need more women to pursue aviation careers to meet the current and growing workforce challenges,” says WAI CEO Allison McKay. “This generous gift from the William Penn Foundation will allow us to strengthen all our programs designed to attract, retain, and advance women in aviation.”

The WAI sees that gender breakdown as a significant factor in hobbling the industry, saying that "aviation’s current gender balance limits the industry’s ability to attract the best possible talent." the end result, drawing from a limited pool, is that that "aviation faces a ... loss of access to the innovation, creativity, and risk management that a more diverse aviation community provides."

The group will put the funding to good use for their 16,000-strong membership rosters, providing all 160 chapters with support.

“With this gift, the William Penn Foundation has demonstrated that they are visionaries who understand that they can play a vital role in strengthening aviation around the world,” adds Allison.

FMI: www.wai.org