New Scholarships, Radio Show And WomenVenture
By Maxine Scheer
Dr. Peggy Chabrian, President of Women in Aviation, runs a great
organization and comes to AirVenture with numerous announcements
and activities throughout the week to reach out to and recognize
women in aviation.
"WAI's track record is nothing short of amazing, especially in
such difficult times," said Charles H. Stites, Executive Director
of Able Flight. This recognition is one of many backed up by
WAI's ability to have raised over $6.5 million in scholarships
since the organization was found in 1995.
WAI wants AirVenture attendees and followers to know about
thirteen new scholarships valued at $92,250 that have been added to
the roster to be awarded at the 22nd Annual Women in Aviation
International Conference, next year in Reno, Nevada, February 24 -
26, 2011. WAI scholarships are open to all members of WAI,
with time still left to submit scholarship applications to meet the
November 15th, 2010 deadline.
New scholarships are coming from the airlines, including the
AirTran Airways Maintenance Scholarship, American Airlines
Veteran's Initiative, and two Airbus A320 type rating scholarships
from Delta Air Lines. Also announced are new scholarships
from DTC Duat, FAA's Direct User Access Terminal (DUAT) service for
pilots, PilotMall CFI Scholarships, SAFE Scholarships, and two new
WAI Scholarships.
Able Flight will offer a new training scholarship for a WAI
member with physical disabilities. "We'd like to grow the number of
scholarships significantly by working with WAI to increase
awareness of this avenue for women with disabilities to become
pilots," said Stites. Five Able Flight scholarships have
already been awarded.
Jim Campbell, president of Aero-News Network, is sponsoring two
scholarships in memory of U.S. Aerobatic Team Pilot and IAC
President Vicki Cruise, to provide flight training for a private
pilot to undertake basic aerobatic or unusual attitude flight
training or to further skills in that regimen.
Campbell says, "Vicki's first aerobatic experiences opened up a
whole new world of aviation to her and allowed her to seek
extraordinary adventures and achievements that culminated in her
becoming one of the most respected and accomplished pilots in the
sport aviation community."
Recognizing women in aviation will be presented during a daily
radio show hosted by Dr. Chabrian. "WomenVenture Voices" will air
each morning on EAA Radio, from 1000 to 1015, and feature
interviews with women aviators with a variety of backgrounds and
accomplishments. EAA Radio can be heard at 1210 AM and also streams
live during AirVenture.
Another program supported by WAI is WomenVenture. Now in
its third consecutive year, Women Venture expands to two days and
kicks off with an evening in Theater in the Woods on Thursday, July
29th at 7:00 pm. WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian will host a panel
of accomplished and inspiring women including NASA Astronaut Bonnie
Dunbar and Space Station Commander Peggy Whitson.
The activities continue on Friday morning at 0800 with a
breakfast for all WomenVenture participants in the EAA Nature
Center. Tickets for this breakfast are available at the Women in
Aviation, International booth located at Hangar B. The highlight of
WomenVenture for many is the group photo of women pilots taken in
AeroShell Square. Free t-shirts are distributed to all
WomenVenture-registered pilots, including student pilots. The
photograph will be taken following the WomenVenture breakfast on
Friday, July 30 at 1030.