Women in Aviation International is preparing to launch its Sixth Annual Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) on September 26, but this time in a virtual format that will expand its international reach and, with the release of a new app, feature activities available year-round. Designed for girls ages eight to 17, the event will include a range of content and resources from virtual museum tours, hands-on activities, and book readings in multiple languages to career videos, introductions to positive female role models, and scholarship information.
In tandem, WAI is launching an Aviation for Girls App, sponsored by the U.S. Air Force, to provide access to this content year-round. The group will also make digital issues of the Aviation for Girls magazine available through the app, which presents age-appropriate tracks for elementary, middle school, and high school students. While available to download now, the content will appear on the app beginning on Girls in Aviation Day.
“WAI is thrilled to connect with girls all year, without geographic constraints, and on their schedule, through our virtual experience delivered in the Aviation for Girls App,” said WAI CEO Allison McKay. “WAI will continue our expanding program of encouraging and inspiring girls—no matter where they live or learn—all-year-round with a continuously growing library of content that is key to the GIAD experience.”
Lt. Col. Annie Driscoll, commander of the Air Force Recruiting Service’s Detachment 1, underscored the importance of such outreach. “Since gender roles start influencing children as young as age four, it’s important to begin inspiring girls at a young age, and our sponsorship of the 6th Annual Girls in Aviation Day is a great way to do that,” Driscoll said. “Women are underrepresented in the rated careers in the Air Force, and in aviation, in general, and with our partnership with Women in Aviation International we hope to change that.”
While supplies last, WAI has assembled merchandise kits featuring a backpack for GIAD participants.
WAI held its annual international GIAD in 2015, hosting 32 events and 3,200 participants. That event grew to welcome more than 20,000 attendees participating in 119 events in 18 countries last year.
