When you think of women working with rivet guns, you might picture a woman with her hair wrapped up in a red polka-dot bandana, flexed muscles and the famous words, “We Can Do It.” Just as Rosie the Riveter inspired countless women to take on roles in industries traditionally dominated by men during World War II, Habitat for Aviation aims to ignite the same spirit of courage and innovation in women aspiring to enter the aviation field.

“We really take a lot of inspiration from our World War II Rosie the Riveters, who stepped into these factories when the men went off to war,” says Habitat for Aviation’s founder Beth White. The group’s multi-generational, all-women team of “Modern Rosie’s” are currently building a Rans S-21 airplane. Beth’s journey into aviation began with a memoir that sparked her curiosity and inspired her to take a discovery flight.

In this episode, Beth reveals how an unfortunate life-changing event led her to create Habitat for Aviation, a nonprofit that’s preparing the next generation of airplane mechanics, pilots, and avionics specialists. Plus, you’ll hear from some of the young women participating in the airplane build. 

Beth provides insights into Habitat for Aviation programs and discusses resources, such as EAA’s Young Eagles, which offers free discovery flights to youth. She also gives practical advice for anyone interested in getting a pilot certificate. 

Share this episode with your friends, family, and colleagues. They may be the future airplane mechanics, air traffic controllers, pilots, and other aviation professionals working to keep us safe. 

Learn more about FAA job opportunities and how you can become an aviation mechanic.

Meet Our Guests 

Beth White is a certificated private pilot, an airplane mechanic apprentice, and the founder of Habitat for Aviation; a nonprofit that offers hands-on learning opportunities that align with the FAA’s apprenticeship certification track. In 2024, Habitat for Aviation launched its Women Build Planes program, where an all-female team of “Modern Day Rosies” is building an airplane at Franklin County Airport. Beth has worked in public schools, including The Met, a Big Picture Learning flagship public high school and she earned a PhD in educational leadership and policy studies from University of Vermont.

Aubrianna Mayette has completed over 130 hours with the Women Build Planes program at Habitat for Aviation. She is a Harbor Freight Fellowship scholarship recipient who plans to enter the U.S. Airforce through the Vermont National Air Guard to pursue an aviation mechanic career.

Zoë Brosky is a photographer and part of the ground crew at Habitat for Aviation. She has a BS in accounting from Cumberland University and is working towards her private pilot’s license. 

Abby Demar is the recipient of an EAA Ray Aviation Scholarship who is working towards her private pilot certificate and participating in the airplane build with Habitat for Aviation.

Ashwil Bell is a student of mathematics and science participating in the Women Build Planes program at Habitat for Aviation.