Women in Aviation International
Founded1990 (Incorporated 1994)
FounderDr. Peggy Chabrian
TypeProfessional Association
Websitewww.wai.org

Women in Aviation International (WAI) is the largest organization in the world dedicated to increasing the number of women involved in all aspects of aviation and aerospace. As an international nonprofit organization, WAI provides networking, education, mentoring, and scholarship opportunities for women and men in careers in aviation and aerospace.

About

Women in Aviation International has 17,000 members in 100 countries around the world.

WAI publishes a magazine called Aviation for Women which has six issues per year.[1][2] WAI also sponsors scholarships for members of WAI.[3]

History

Dean of academic support at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Peggy Baty Chabrian, had experienced problems recruiting and retaining female aviation students.[4] In order to attract more women, she suggested creating a seminar and invited Moya Lear, Jeana Yeager, Shannon Lucid and Bobbi Trout to speak at the first annual conference in 1990.[4] From that conference, an informal organization was created.[5]

WAI was incorporated in 1994.[6] As the founder of the WAI Conference, Chabrian was named the first full-time president and CEO of the organization in 1996 by the board of directors.[7][8] By 1998, the group had 3,000 members,[5] and as of September 2023, membership numbered over 17,000 worldwide.

WAI sponsored the first Arab Women in Aviation show at the Dubai International Convention Center in May of 2016.[9]

Annual conference

22nd Annual WAI Conference

Each year the organization hosts an annual conference, which has grown from 150 participants in 1990 to approximately 4,500 in 2023. Men are also able to join Women in Aviation International and make up approximately 20% of the membership.

The conference includes educational workshops, networking opportunities with various aspects of the aviation industry, scholarship awards and the annual WAI Pioneer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Almost $1,000,000 will be awarded in the 2024 scholarship program.

In 1996, Robin Lamar and Marcia Buckingham sponsored an organizational meeting for aviation and mechanics at the WAI annual conference, leading to the formation of a new group, called the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance.[10]

The organization will host the 35th Annual Women in Aviation Conference in Orlando, FL, March 21-23, 2024.

Girls in Aviation Day

In 2015, WAI launched Girls in Aviation Day observed on last Saturday of the month of September.[11] The day is intended to interest girls, ages 8 to 17, in aviation careers.[12] A Girl Scout patch was designed for the 2016 Girls in Aviation Day which would be given out to scouts who took part in the day's activities.[13] Since 2015, Girls in Aviation Day has grown to over 150 events, hosting over 30,000 attendees annually.

Hall of Fame

The Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame was established in 1992. Its purpose is to honor women who make significant contributions as record setters, pioneers, or innovators in the aviation and aerospace industries. WAI solicits nominations from throughout the aviation industry each year for the WAI Pioneer Hall of Fame.[14] Inductees are chosen from the nominations by a committee, "with special consideration given to individuals who have helped other women become successful in aviation or opened doors of opportunity for other women."[15]

References

Citations

  1. ↑ Mica, John L. (2005). "Salute to Dr. Peggy Chabrian". Congressional Record, V. 151, Pt. 6, April 21, 2005 to May 5, 2005. United States Congress. p. 8663. ISBN 9780160846823.
  2. ↑ "Aviation for Women Magazine". Women in Aviation. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  3. ↑ "Scholarship Opportunities for Women". Poughkeepsie Journal. 1 October 2010. Retrieved 2019-01-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. 1 2 Garvey, William (20 January 2014). "A Higher Education". Aviation Week & Space Technology. 176 (2): 18. Retrieved 20 July 2016 – via EBSCO.
  5. 1 2 Gaffney, Timothy R. (16 July 1998). "Membership in Group Hits Heights". Dayton Daily News. Retrieved 2019-01-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Women in Aviation Annual Meeting". Flying Magazine. 124 (6): 37. June 1997. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  7. ↑ Announcing Peggy Baty founder and first President
  8. ↑ Kelly Nelson (March 2015). "From First Flight to Founder". Sport Aviation: 110.
  9. ↑ "Airport Show 2016 to Support 'Arab Women in Aviation'". Arabian Aerospace Online News Service. 7 May 2016. Retrieved 20 July 2016.
  10. ↑ Douglas 2004, p. 245-246.
  11. ↑ USPO Trademark Database record for Girls in Aviation Day
  12. ↑ Campbell, Colin (26 September 2015). "Girls check out aviation careers at RDU". The News & Observer. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  13. ↑ "Women in Aviation International Creates Girl Scout Patch". Aviation Pros. 9 March 2016. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  14. ↑ Hall of Fame
  15. ↑ "WAI Seeks Nominees for Hall of Fame". Flying Magazine. 127 (9): 44. September 2000. Retrieved 19 July 2016.

Sources

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