Females in Aviation, Past & Present

This discussion includes the views of three airline pilots/cofounders of the Sisters of the Skies a.k.a. Black Butterflies Facebook page: Stephanie Mitchell-Smith Gulley, Kim McCommon & Tomica Adams.  Most members of this group are also affiliated with the OBAP-Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals; Tuskegee Airmen International; and the Bessie Coleman Aerospace Legacy. The group was established to give female aviators of color--including African Americans, Latinos, Hispanics, Indian, etc.--a place to share accomplishments, vent frustrations and generally unite those who make up a very small slice of the pilot demographic pie.  While they reach back to honor those who helped to pave the way for them, so do they strive to pay-it-forward by offering encouragement to those who follow.

As a foster child, Melany Rosales had little hope of finding wherewithal  for a higher education. A high-school aviation program and one dedicated mentor changed all of that for her. And Melany didn't forget it. As co-founder of Beacon For Teens (www.beacon14s.org) in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Melany now pays it forward by exposing low-income, at-risk foster children to the world of aviation. When funding for the organization was tight, Melany partnered with Daniel Valladares' Aviation Life Clothing (www.aviationlifeclothing.com) and helped grow it into a funding vehicle for Beacon For Teens.

This is a celebration and review of the show's first 24 episodes. Brief excerpts from each show will help you to remember--or hear for the first time--a sampling of the episode's content.  If any pique your interest, you can find the complete episodes at www.femalesinaviation.com.  They are also available as free downloads from iTunes at: iTunes.apple.com/us/podcast/females-in-aviation-past-present. 

Thanks to all my loyal listeners for the more than 4200 downloads. I am looking forward to serving the cause of women in aviation in the coming year and welcome suggestions for podcast interviews!

Erika Armstrong, author of "A Chick in the Cockpit", shares her experiences as an airline pilot and, perhaps more importantly, how she was forced to draw on the strengths developed in that career to manage the unexpected turbulence in her personal life.

Moriah Graham shares the story of her journey to becoming the first African-American Air-Force JROTC cadet to earn a private pilot's license in the state of Delaware. That she persevered through adversity where other's might have quit, serves as an inspiration to young people everywhere. Every young girl who has visions of airplanes dancing in her head will be motivated by Moriah's determination.

Around the same time Emily Howell was working her way into becoming the first female airline pilot in the U.S., Tag Akesheh was breaking similar barriers in Jordan. Her trials and tribulations would have made quitters of many...but Tag endured. Listen to her inspiring story of fortitude and learn from her advice.

If you dream of flying, but struggle with the high cost of traditional aviation, tune in to hear how you can become part of an amazing community of aviators and experience, perhaps, the most exhilarating flying ever!

iWOAW has a concise mission statement...achieve Gender Balance in aviation. Listen in to hear Mireille Goyer explain her unique plan. If you are already a pilot, learn how you--or your organization--can help and how, in doing so, you will be eligible to win amazing prizes like Apple Watches or i-Pad Minis.  And, the lady (young or old)  you help in the process will be eligible these prizes as well as a chance at one of three flight-training scholarships.

If you are a female who would like to experience flight--whether just a single airplane flight or continuing flying lessons--this is a podcast you won't want to miss. You just might get that airplane flight and win one of those great incentive prizes too!

Though you may not be aware of it, UNMANNED FLIGHTS have been occurring regularly for a number of years. Without even knowing it, you may actually have been a passenger on such a flight. In this episode your host, Karen Hawkins, conducts interviews with thirteen aviation professionals--some named and some who chose to remain anonymous--who witnessed such events!  (Thanks to "Stars in the Sky" author, Casey Grant, for her help with this podcast.)

Casey Grant, who served 35 years with Delta Airlines, was among the first of the African-American flight attendants.  In this interview, she shares a sampling of the trials and tribulations that were endured, the trails that were blazed and the bridges that were built. She also tells us how to obtain her book "Stars in the Sky" to get the full story about these amazing flight attendants as well as other African American/Black "firsts" in aviation.