EAA Celebrates 10 Years of WomenVenture

March 2, 2017 - Nine years ago the goal was to take a photo of what would be the world’s largest gathering of female pilots, and on August 1, 2008, approximately 800 women gathered in pink T-shirts during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The celebration of women in aviation at Oshkosh has steadily grown in the years since, and in 2017, women involved in all facets of the aviation community will gather for the 10th annual photo as part of EAA’s WomenVenture.

Activities and forums designed to empower women and enable them to pursue their dreams in aviation take place throughout the week, with key celebrations happening on Wednesday, July 26. WomenVenture gives women the opportunity to build camaraderie within the EAA community and become a part of a unique sisterhood in the aviation industry, opening doors to mentorship, knowledge, and participation.

Wednesday’s events kick off with the WAI Connect Breakfast followed by the annual photo on Boeing Plaza, and WomenVenture Power Lunch featuring change leadership speaker Dr. Janet Lapp. A pilot and flight instructor, Lapp has flown her airplane throughout South America and Africa on medical and rescue missions, and is a longtime member of the Flying Doctors of Mercy volunteering in central Mexico. Born and raised in Quebec, Canada, she has inspired more than 2,000 audiences around the world from Russia to Argentina to Hong Kong.

New this year, EAA will also host the first WomenVenture Social sponsored by Endeavor Air on Monday, July 24, where attendees can start the week off right by meeting and networking with like-minded women. On Tuesday, July 25, the Ninety-Nines will host a dinner event on the grounds.

EAA has also announced the WomenVenture Sport Pilot Academy Scholarship, to be awarded during Wednesday’s Power Lunch. The scholarship is open to women who are former Young Eagles participants and will cover tuition and onsite costs to attend the August 2017 EAA Sport Pilot Academy in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

WomenVenture programming is supported by sponsors Women in Aviation International, The Ninety-Nines Inc., and Glasair Aviation.