International Women’s Air & Space Museum Hosts The Event September 17

The International Women’s Air & Space Museum informs the community about the return of the “Dinner with a Slice of History” program series, taking place on September 17, 2021.

“World War II Women in Aviation: An Exploration in Leadership” will be the title this year, and the event features Professor of History and Political Science at Norwich University Dr. Reina Pennington. The event is made possible thanks to a grant from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.

During WWII, the USSR and the US created organizations with the intent to recruit and train women aviators. Two individuals with very different styles lead these efforts; Marina Raskova and Jacqueline Chochran. The two were known to be complete opposites in delivery with Raskova being quiet and approachable while Cochran was brash and forceful. Despite these differences, they employed similar methods to achieve their desired outcomes.

In this presentation, Pennington, a former Air Force intelligence officer who served as a Soviet analyst, will examine the similarities and differences in the lives of these two women, and the roles of female aviators on a whole in WWII.

Pennington is also the author of Wings, Women and War: Soviet Airwomen in World War II Combat.

Registration is required prior to the event. Tickets include admittance to the program and a boxed dinner. Space and tickets are limited. Tickets are $25 for non-IWASM members and $15 for IWASM members. The museum is also offering a special bundle for tickets and a discounted one-year membership for $55.

Deadline to register is September 15, 2021

FMI: www.iwasm.org, info@iwasm.org