The Grand Dames of Aviation, a group of professional pilots formed in 2017, recently earned its 501(c)3 nonprofit designation, which will help it achieve its mission to “celebrate extraordinary achievements in aviation, educate through scholarships, and inspire through mentorship and networking,” according to officials.
“Cultivating the talent, innovation, and leadership of women is critical for the future of aviation and aerospace,” noted Carol Dean, founder of the Savannah, Georgia-based organization. “It’s so important to give back to our amazing industry by providing opportunities to inspire the next generation of aviation and aerospace industry leaders.”
The organization has a variety of scholarships available in areas such as Career Goals, Professional Development, New and Future Technologies, and Return to Service for pilots who have left the industry and need to regain currency to resume their aviation careers.
Fueling the organization’s scholarships and programs are donations, as well as the sale of the new Grand Dame watch from the Abingdon Co.
The new watch “honors the trailblazing women who came before us — fierce, accomplished, confident, and skilled,” said Abingdon Mullin, Grand Dame and founder of Abingdon Co.
The watch is priced at $870, commemorating the 87th anniversary maiden flight of the aircraft Grand Dame — the Douglas DC-3 — one of the most iconic and legendary planes of our time, officials said. Special pricing is available for members of the organization.
To find out more about the watch, go to Abingdonco.com.
To find out more about the non-profit organization, go to GrandDamesofAviation.org.
I wish this organization was open to more than professional pilots – they are missing out on a lot of very experienced women. Best wishes to them despite the limited scope.