April 1
Nice group photo. Standing center looks to be Jessica Cox, the world’s first licensed armless pilot, black-belt in American Taekwondo, surfer, scuba diver and motivational speaker.
A friend attended the Conference and acknowledged the enthusiasm and opportunity for networking for those in attendance. But she added there was also a notable absence of agencies from years prior, which their previously scheduled booths now stood oddly silent from being hastily vacated.
She noticed one of them was the National Geo-spatial Intelligence Agency booth, part of the Department of Defense. Due to the current administration’s effort to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion in government - and obviously private business, they have barred all agencies and military branches from participating in events that promote diversity of any kind - and it was in cold evidence at the conference. Every other federal agency or military branch’s booth was also empty, and even previously scheduled sessions with speakers from the military or federal agencies were cancelled.
Despite possibly losing out on some good info from our military and select agencies about aviation opportunities, it seems the women were able to overcome that sad reflection of hate and bias by the current administration and still have a very successful and productive week of aviation information, joy and excitement, witnessed by my friend.
I just wanted to add this to show the extra resolve and determination needed even more so now for these wonderful young ladies to find an opportunity in the multi-layered world of aviation.
April 1
From my pilot wife and me, we just want to say thank you to everyone who made the 36th Women in Aviation International Conference happen. We know how much work goes into putting something like this together, and it matters.
To the women out there working hard, studying, flying, fixing, teaching, and leading, keep going. You’re opening doors that should’ve been open long ago. We’re rooting for you and looking forward to seeing more of you in every part of this industry. Keep climbing.
April 1
Since aviation “careers” these days are a lot less glamorous and a lot more unstable, I don’t even recommend them to anyone these days. I sorta wince when I see adults not telling the whole truth to children just so they can meet their own agendas.
April 1
There were female pilots in the military 50+ years ago when I graduated from Air Force flight school just as we had female pilots at my airline in 1979. Women are not being blocked from anything by the government, they’re no longer being given preference due to their being women. Like the rest of us, they will be, and should be, selected based upon merit rather than some physical characteristic.
It’s very disappointing to me that so many obviously intelligent commentators on this site lose all objectivity when any current political hot topic is raised and how often these topics arise when there is no need other than to make a political speech.
1 reply
April 1
▶ dcmarotta
And yes, there were women flying in 1979, and in 1942 when I was born, but that doesn’t mean the job is done.
If federal agencies no-show a major aviation event due to a government crackdown on DEI, that’s not some off-topic speech, it’s a relevant issue with real impact on the industry.
Claiming that people are just “making political speeches” every time they mention something inconvenient is a way to shut down valid points. That’s not objectivity, it’s dismissal.
1 reply
April 1
I worked in one of the booths at this convention and I do have to say I walked away from the event feeling super positive and uplifted by how much positive energy everyone had there. It was all very collaborative with everyone having a common goal of working together.
Don’t get me wrong - Oshkosh is awesome, but the vibe was definitely very palpable. I don’t think I’d travel to one elsewhere as I was at this one because I was local, but I am very impressed by this organization.
21h
▶ Raf
Objectively, there are no barriers set higher for women in aviation than for any person.
It’s politics when people say that “the jobs not done”. at this point.
The job will never be done if you mistakenly conflate opportunity with outcome…
1 reply
12h
▶ Arthur_Foyt
Saying “the job’s not done” isn’t about expecting guaranteed results. It’s about making sure the door is actually open, not just technically unlocked.
There’s a difference between having the chance to succeed and having the support and access to really go for it. That’s not confusing opportunity with outcome. It’s just being honest about what’s still missing. In the end, WAI is helping itself, and helping the industry too.
1 reply
10h
▶ Raf
When there are teams of hungry law firms who’ve been sitting idle for decades without being able to find any cases in this area… it’s done. Put a fork in it.
WAI said one of it’s main goals is increasing female participation in aviation. That’s fine but It certainly goes well BEYOND open doors and strays into being simply sexists and political. We’ve worked too hard to eliminate sexism and politics in aviation.
