Joins Forces With Women In Aviation, International To "Elevate Your Life"

What could easily be the largest gathering of women pilots in history is just one of the highlights of the inaugural "WomenVenture 2008" activities taking place at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2008. The 56th annual edition of the EAA fly-in convention will take place July 28-August 3 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

WomenVenture 2008 was developed through a partnership between EAA and Women in Aviation, International, and was officially announced at the WAI convention in San Diego, CA Friday morning under the theme "Elevate Your Life." The program is designed to recognize and encourage women aviators, who are less than 10 percent of the nation's pilot population. There will be programs and activities throughout the week for longtime women pilots, those women interested in learning to fly and encouraging girls to explore the worlds of flight and the sciences.

"It is important to recognize the accomplishments of women in ways that challenge and motivate others. Women can reach for the sky and elevate their lives," said Elissa Lines, EAA's vice president of commercial and donor relations, and a pilot. "We want to celebrate what women have achieved."

The grand finale of the weeklong WomenVenture 2008 activities will be the largest assemblage of women pilots in history when they are invited to gather at AeroShell Square on Friday, August 1. Prior to that record-setting event, however, WomenVenture will also feature:

• Women Soar/You Soar event on July 27-28, designed for high school-age girls and featuring women who have volunteered to share their aviation career knowledge and direction as mentors;
• Numerous workshops, forums and evening programs featuring women aviators;
• WomenVenture representatives in EAA Member Village welcoming all women pilots, current and non-current;
• The annual Women in Aviation, International celebrity breakfast on Friday morning on the EAA AirVenture grounds.

"It's exciting to have the opportunity to work with EAA to give visibility to the thousands of women who share a passion for aviation with the hundreds of thousands of men throughout the country," said Dr. Peggy Chabrian, WAI president. "Women work in all aspects of aviation and at every level, but the growth potential for women in aviation is astounding."

FMI: www.airventure.org/womenventure