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.