Two hundred girls, ages 10 to 17, will have the opportunity to learn first-hand about the exciting career opportunities in aviation thanks to a $15,000 grant from the UPS Foundation to fund Women in Aviation, Internationals' "Bring Your Daughter to the Conference Day."
The $15,000 grant from the UPS Foundation will purchase tools and supplies for the day, including a number of laptop computers that the girls will use with a flight simulation program. Further, the UPS grant keeps the day affordable with a fee of just $10 per girl, including lunch. Parents and chaperones may attend at no charge.
"'Bring Your Daughter to the Conference Day' is a new initiative for Women in Aviation, and we are grateful to the UPS Foundation for recognizing both the need and opportunity to foster an interest in aviation among girls," says WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian.
The one day program presented at the WAI Annual conference scheduled for March 8-10, 2012, in Dallas, Texas, is designed to introduce girls to the excitement and careers available in aviation through age appropriate activities and interacting with women who have chosen an aviation career.
EAA President Rod Hightower is the inspiration for this program. When he mentioned to Dr. Chabrian that he was planning to bring his own daughters to the WAI conference, the idea of others bringing their daughters was put in motion.
"One activity we have planned is to teach the girls how to read a sectional chart," adds Dr. Chabrian. "We are going to demystify the world of aviation for these girls and give them a chance to talk to women who are pilots with the goal of providing role models and mentors for the girls."
In addition to the daughters, attendees are invited to bring their own special girl, whether she is a daughter, granddaughter, niece, neighbor, or friend.
Go to http://www.wai.org/12conference/daughterday.cfm to register for Bring You Daughter to the Conference Day.
""Daughter' is defined very liberally as any girl aged 10 to 17," says Dr. Chabrian. " We have also invited Dallas-area Girl Scouts to participate. We want a full house of 200 eager and energetic girls."
FMI: http://www.wai.org/.