Thousands of girls, ages 8-18, around the world on Sept. 23 will be able to experience the 9th Annual Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) in their local communities through unique events hosted by Women in Aviation International (WAI) chapters and corporate members. WAI will continue to offer additional virtual resources, activities, information, and instructional videos via the free Aviation for Girls app.
Already more than 150 events are planned at airports, FBOs, museums, and hangars across the U.S., Canada, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Some 30,000 girls will be introduced to the career and lifestyle possibilities in aviation and aerospace through meeting female role models, career panels, exploring airplanes and airports, and a host of hands-on, fun, and educational activities ranging from sectional chart scavenger hunts, to exploring the Moon and Mars research sites, to learning about aircraft engines and avionics with maintenance technicians.
To enjoy the full Girls in Aviation Day experience, while supplies last, WAI event hosts will offer free activity kits to participants featuring a Girls in Aviation Day backpack filled with Aviation for Girls 2023 Issue 2, a propeller activity, an aviation sectional chart, a WAI sticker, a glitter tattoo, the new WAI Career Guide titled The Sky is Unlimited, and a bandana. Additionally, caps, keychains, and GIAD T-shirts for adults and children are available for a small cost. Kids who don’t have access to an in-person event can download the Aviation for Girls app for free to participate in a virtual Girls in Aviation Day.
“Thanks to the generous support of our partners, Women in Aviation International has significantly expanded this one-day event to reach girls interested in aviation and aerospace year-round through our Aviation for Girls program,” says WAI Interim CEO Stephanie Kenyon. “As a part of this comprehensive youth STEM education program, we launched a new, free Junior membership for girls and boys 18 years and younger so they can enjoy all the WAI benefits and resources, including the ability to apply for up to three WAI scholarships. We know Girls in Aviation Day has been instrumental in introducing opportunities in aviation and STEM to thousands of participants all around the world.”
New for 2023, WAI has published The Sky is Unlimited: Careers in Aviation and Aerospace that will be included in each GIAD Activity Kit and will be available on the Aviation for Girls app as well as the WAI website at WAI.org/aviation-careers.
To find a GIAD event near you, visit WAI.org/find-your-local-giad-2023-event. Additional information and updates about Girls in Aviation Day is available at WAI.org/giad.
