Women in Aviation International

Women in Aviation International
Founded 1990 (Incorporated 1994)
Founder Dr. Peggy Chabrian
Type Professional Association
Location
  • West Alexandria, Ohio
Website www.wai.org

Women in Aviation International (WAI) is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, that is dedicated to providing networking, education, mentoring, and scholarship opportunities for both women and men who strive for careers in the aviation and aerospace industries. WAI also aims to promote public understanding of notable American women in the aviation industry.[1]

History

Peggy Baty Chabrian, who was dean of academic support for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University had been having trouble attracting and keeping female aviation students.[2] In order to attract more women, she suggested a seminar and invited Moya Lear, Jeana Yeager, Shannon Lucid and Bobbi Trout to speak at what would become the first annual conference in 1990.[2]

Due to the success of this annual conference, the organization was incorporated in 1994.[3] As the founder of the Women in Aviation Conference, Chabrian was named the first full-time president and CEO of the organization in 1996 by its board of directors.[4][5]

The largest bequest WAI received was in 2010, when Arlene Elliot left $203,000 to the group from her estate after she died.[6]

Annual conference

22nd Annual WAI Conference

Each year the organization hosts an annual conference, which has grown from 150 participants in 1990 to approximate 4,500 in 2015. In 1996, there were 1, 400 women attending the conference.[7] In 2013, there were more than 3,000 attendees.[8]Men constituted t he majority of attendees in 2016, a tren-d noted at previous conferences.[9]

The conference includes educational workshops, networking opportunities with various aspects of the aviation industry, a scholarship awards banquet, and the annual WAI Pioneer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Approximately a half million dollars in scholarship money was being awarded by 2004.[10] A portion of the scholarships are awarded to men.[11]

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.[12]

Girls in Aviation Day

In 2015, WAI launched Girls in Aviation Day observed on last Saturday of the month of September. [13] The day is intended to interest girls, ages 8 to 17, in aviation careers.[14]

Other initiatives

WAI publishes a magazine called Aviation for Women which has six issues per year.[15][16]

References

Citations

  1. ↑ "About WAI | Women in Aviation International". www.wai.org. Retrieved 2017-02-01.
  2. 1 2 Garvey, William (20 January 2014). "A Higher Education". Aviation Week & Space Technology. 176 (2): 18. Retrieved 20 July 2016 – via EBSCO. (Subscription required (help)).
  3. ↑ "Women in Aviation Annual Meeting". Flying Magazine. 124 (6): 37. June 1997. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  4. ↑ Announcing Peggy Baty founder and first President
  5. ↑ Kelly Nelson (March 2015). "From First Flight to Founder". Sport Aviation: 110.
  6. ↑ Swickard, James (July 2010). "Women in Aviation, International Receives Bequest From Aviation Pioneer". Business & Commercial Aviation. 106 (7): 24. Retrieved 20 July 2016 – via EBSCO. (Subscription required (help)).
  7. ↑ "Women in Aviation Conference Sets Attendance Records". Flying Magazine. 123 (6): 44. June 1996. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  8. ↑ Hood, Ralph (April 2013). "WIA - Still Growing & Thriving". Airport Business. 27 (4): 16. Retrieved 20 July 2016 – via EBSCO. (Subscription required (help)).
  9. ↑ "All-female flight crew inspires new generation of women pilots". CBS News. March 11, 2016. Archived from the original on March 12, 2016.
  10. ↑ Douglas 2004, p. 256.
  11. ↑ "Michael, Benjamin & Christian win WAI Scholarships".
  12. ↑ Douglas 2004, p. 245-246.
  13. ↑ USPO Trademark Database record for Girls in Aviation Day
  14. ↑ Campbell, Colin (26 September 2015). "Girls check out aviation careers at RDU". The News & Observer. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
  15. ↑ 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.
  16. ↑ "Aviation for Women Magazine". Women in Aviation. Retrieved 20 July 2016.

Sources

  • Douglas, Deborah (2004). American Women and Flight Since 1940. The University Press of Kentucky. ISBN 9780813190730.
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