Unit members attend WAI Conference

  • Published
  • By TSgt. Kristin Mack
  • 507th Air Refueling wing
The theme for the 20th Annual Women in Aviation International (WAI) Conference was "A New Approach for Your Tomorrow." 

The conference translated this theme through reflection and pride of past accomplishments combined with future aspirations among all women aviation professionals. The conference brought together thousands of women, and a few men, in the aviation industry to network, share ideas, and encourage and inspire one another in their career paths. 

Six Wing members were selected to attend this event, along with Col. Michael Mahon, 507ARW Vice Commander, through supervisory selection or participation in the Human Resources Development Council. The HRDC played an important role at the conference to conduct outreach, support and understanding of the WAI. 

One of the event's major highlights was the presence of the Women Aviation Service Pilots (WASP). Through volunteering as personal escorts to attending panel discussions, attendees were able to gain insight to their past history that paved the way for all women in the military today. 

"My favorite part of the conference was spending time with the WASPs," said Senior Master Sgt. Carol Suggs. "I am so fascinated with World War II." 

There was a jam-packed auditorium present to hear the famous aviation pioneers discuss their courageous and marveling experiences. The recollection of their stories discussing aircraft flown, their salaries, and overall impressions conveyed the realization just how far times have come since their contributions in the 1940s. 

"One of the happiest days of my life is to be here and be one of your pioneers...and I feel especially grateful you represent to me our future," said Dawn Seymour, WASP. "We're sending you a handoff to keep going. These are chapters in our life." 

The panel ended in a thought-provoking question from WASP Violet Cowden: "What story are you going to tell the young people that are coming up?" then a surprise performance of their signature song Zoot suits and parachutes. 

During the general session the audience heard from famous aviators and executives from several different aerospace organizations, to include astronaut Peggy Whitson. In 2007, she became the first female commander of the International Space Station when Expedition 16 was launched on Oct. 10, 2007. She oversaw the first expansion of the station's living and working space in more than six years. 

Other Conference highlights and notes included: 

* Attendance reached nearly 3,000 women and men, including representatives from 15 countries. 

* The Exhibit Hall displayed 125 separate companies and organizations, representing all aspects of the aviation community 

* Over $459,450 in scholarships was distributed to WAI members at every stage of life from university students to mature members seeking a mid-life career change to aviation. 

* The WAI silent auction raised $18,500 for WAI's Endowment Fund, bringing the total in the Endowment Fund to $629,500. The money in the WAI Endowment Fund is used for scholarships. 

* Five women were inducted into WAI's International Pioneer Hall of Fame including Jacqueline Cochran, the first woman to break the sound barrier; Patricia Malone, a US Navy WAVE who trained aircraft carrier-based pilots on instrument flight procedures; Ruth Nichols who holds more than 35 women's aviation records; Dawn Seymour, the first woman accepted into the Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) at Cornell University, and who later was chosen for the WASP program; and Anna Timofeyeva-Yegorova, one of the most famous Soviet women to fly in a male combat regiment during World War II and holder of the Hero of the Soviet Union award. 

The conference concluded Feb. 29, 2009, with an awards banquet and dinner that recognized several women aviators and provided scholarships to those trying to advance their career in the industry. 

"This Conference was a celebration of 20 years of Women in Aviation conferences, and a rededication of our commitment to look forward by providing career opportunities for women in all aspects of the aviation community while looking back to recognize and honor the accomplishments of the determined women who made today's accomplishments and career choices possible," said Dr. Peggy Chabrian, president and founder of the Women in Aviation International.