Women in Aviation International
Homepage - Chicago's Leading Edge Chapter
271607366
La Grange Park, IL 60526 United States
chicagosleadingedge.org
chicagosleadingedge
Women in Aviation International
Women in Aviation International (WAI) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing the number of women involved in all areas of aviation and aerospace. Despite the EIN provided and a potentially incorrect website reference, the standard EIN for WAI is 37-1279395, and the commonly recognized website is www.wai.org.
History
WAI was founded in 1990 with an initial meeting at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. This event was instrumental in establishing an informal organization aimed at encouraging women to pursue careers in aviation. In December 1994, WAI officially became a nonprofit organization[2][5]. Dr. Peggy Chabrian, a key figure in WAI's inception, was named the first full-time president and CEO in 1996[5].
Mission
WAI envisions a world where the sky is open to all and where aviation and aerospace dreams are possible without barriers. The organization's mission is to invest in the current and future workforce, build a strong pipeline of talent, and inspire women and girls to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace[1]. WAI emphasizes the importance of attracting, retaining, and advancing women in aviation to meet industry challenges and promote safety and innovation[1].
Membership and Activities
As of the latest updates, WAI has over 20,000 members from 120 countries, with a diverse membership that includes women and men. Membership benefits include networking opportunities, leadership development programs, scholarships, and involvement in local chapters worldwide[2][3]. The organization publishes Aviation for Women magazine and distributes WAI Connect, a monthly electronic newsletter[2].
Annual Conference
WAI hosts an annual conference that has grown significantly since its inception, offering educational seminars, networking opportunities, and exhibitions from various aviation businesses. The conference also includes the WAI Pioneer Hall of Fame induction ceremony and scholarship awards, with over $15 million awarded since 1995[3][5].
Pioneer Hall of Fame
The WAI Pioneer Hall of Fame was established in 1992 to honor women who have made significant contributions to aviation and aerospace as record setters, pioneers, or innovators. Nominations are solicited annually, and inductees are selected based on their achievements and impact on opening opportunities for other women in the field[5].
Girls in Aviation Day
In 2015, WAI launched Girls in Aviation Day, observed on the last Saturday of September, to inspire girls aged 8 to 17 to consider aviation careers[5].
[1] https://www.wai.org/mission [2] https://www.wai.org/history [3] https://www.wai.org/conference [4] https://www.wai.org/donate-to-wai [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_Aviation_International
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News
Meet scholarship winner @avigrayce ✨ My name is Grace. I’ve been working towards my aviation goals for nearly a decade. I earned my private pilot certificate at 18 and became a flight instructor at 20. I’ve been flight instructing for 4 years, and recently earned my commercial multi-engine rating. In addition to flight training, I graduated cum laude from Lewis University with a bachelor’s degree in Aviation Administration. From there, I also earned my dispatcher certificate. While I enjoy the work I do now, my ultimate goal is to become a professional pilot and attending the WAI Conference was incredibly impactful. I had the opportunity to network with airline pilots and gain insights into how I can enhance my applications for regional airlines and corporate operations. I was also exposed to mentorship opportunities available. The experience gave me both inspiration and clarity in pursuing my dream. (fb)
Some of our members participated in an extended leadership workshop at conference next week to learn from other chapters and build our network of other leaders! Thanks @womeninaviation for putting this together! (fb)
Nearby
4.5
La Grange Park
About the organization
- U30 -
Chicagos Leading Edge Chicagos Leading Edge is a Chapter of Women in Aviation Internationala nonprofit 501c3 organization dedicated to providing networking education mentoring and scholarship opportunities for womenand men who are striving for challenging and fulfilling careers in the aviation and aerospace industries. Our latest posts Keep up to date learn about new opportunities happenings and more. 2024 Aviation Scholarships Holiday Airways Training with a Skyward Attitude More Than A Runway Aviation Industry Careers Honoring Women Airforce Service Pilots Upcoming Events Chicagos Leading Edge hosts local events as well as participates in WAIs national events. Please join us at an upcoming event.
Physical Sciences/Earth Sciences Research and Promotion
