Aviation for Women is the flagship member publication of Women in Aviation International. Articles feature women who have made aviation history, professional development ideas, and current-topic articles.
Issue link: https://afwdigital.epubxp.com/i/619020
Dear WAI members: As I write this letter I have just returned from the NBAA Business Aviation Conven- tion & Exhibition where I had the opportunity to speak during the luncheon host- ed by Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA). While I watched the presentation of their scholarships totaling more than $50,000, it occurred to me the role WAI has played in many aviation associations over the years. For example, both WCA and the Association for Women in Aviation Maintenance (AWAM) came into existence due to individuals from business aviation or the maintenance side of the industry meeting with each other during our annual International Women in Aviation Conference. Both of these organizations continue to grow, and each has its own great scholarship program. During our annual conference in March in Nashville, we will be awarding more than 110 scholarships to WAI members. Adding those scholarships to the others WAI has awarded since 1995, the total value of scholarships awarded by our pro- gram will exceed $10 million. More than 1,500 members have received scholarships during this 20-year period and you will hear from several of them throughout the conference, sharing their stories and what they are doing now. I believe this will be a memorable experience for all who attend. The scholar- ships we offer are possible due to the generosity of individual mem- bers, companies, and organiza- tions who chose to partner with WAI, and we'll celebrate their contributions as well because our success would not be possible without them. Again, it was very evident dur- ing the NBAA convention just how many organizations are in- volved with WAI: AAAA, AEA, Airlines for America, AOPA, EAA, GAMA, HAI, NBAA, NAS- AO, The Ninety-Nines, Professional Women Controllers, Tech- nical Women's Organization, University Aviation Association, Whirly-Girls, and others. I met with individuals from many of these organizations during the convention, renewing our commitment to work together in providing opportunities for and encouraging women to join aviation either as a career or avocation. If you haven't already done so, be sure to register for the 27th annual International Women in Aviation Conference in Nash- ville before rates go up on January 19, 2016. We have a tre- mendous lineup of speakers and exhibitors, and we'd love to see you there. There are a number of fun tours to choose from as well, so plan to come a day early to enjoy a bit of Nashville and help us celebrate awarding $10 million in scholarships. It is truly an exciting time to be a member of WAI! Sincerely, Dr. Peggy Chabrian President 2 Aviation forWomen J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 6 Membership, WAI Merchandise Sue Coon, Member Services Manager Stephanie Gordon, Member Specialist scoon@wai.org • sgordon@wai.org Chapters, Volunteers, Girls in Aviation Molly Martin, Outreach Director mmartin@wai.org • 850-508-8769 Education, Industry Relations Cassandra Bosco Education and Industry Relations Director cbosco@wai.org • 202-415-2798 C O N T A C T U S • P H O N E : 9 3 7 - 8 3 9 - 4 6 4 7 D R . P E G G Y C H A B R I A N P R E S I D E N T ' S M E S S A G E Suzanne Salat, WAI 65148, and Dr. Peggy Chabrian at the NBAA Business Aviation Con- vention & Exhibition. Peggy was Suzanne's initial ground instructor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Today Suzanne fies a G650. MOLLY MARTIN Scholarships Donna Wallace, Scholarship Coordinator/Conference Registration dwallace@wai.org Aviation for Women Magazine Kelly Nelson Director of Communications knelson@wai.org • 920-410-6228 Advertising Lisa DeFrees Lovett Advertising Director ldefrees@wai.org • 315-272-3821 Photography Nancy Bink, Art Director nbink@wai.org Conference Kerisa Citro Director of Conferences and Events kcitro@wai.org Everything Else Connie Lawrence Operations Manager/Executive Assistant clawrence@wai.org Dr. Peggy Chabrian President and Founder pchabrian@wai.org