Since 2014, Women in Aviation International has made a significant outreach to girls ages 8 to 17 with Girls in Aviation Day—established as an in-person gathering for young ladies. More than 120 events were hosted in roughly 20 countries by 2019, with about 20,000 attendees.
In 2020, WAI pivoted Girls in Aviation Day to a virtual event—this one reached roughly 5,000 girls in 60 countries worldwide.
The success of that pivot has not been lost on president and CEO Allison McKay and her team as they plan for GIAD 2021, scheduled for September 25.
What’s to Come
Those plans include a new version of the app that powered the 2020 virtual GIAD. It’s supported by a bevy of sponsors across the aviation industry.
A free gift bag will also go out to each participant, which will include a:
- Copy of Aviation for Girls magazine created exclusively for #GIAD21 with age-appropriate stories, activities, and resources)
- WAI Aviation Fun patch (participants earn the patch by completing fun and educational activities)
- Pink GIAD backpack
- Sectional chart activity
- GIAD sticker
- GIAD bandana
- GIAD key chain
- “Girls Can Do Anything” sparkly, temporary tattoo
Depending on the restrictions driven by the pandemic, many local in-person events have been scheduled for September 25, or a day close to that. You can find an event near you here.
