The Oklahoma Airport Operators Association, in partnership with the Oklahoma Chapter of the Ninety-Nines, is seeking nominations to honor three Oklahoma women making important contributions to aviation and aerospace.
The three award winners will be recognized at the Oklahoma Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day Luncheon Dec. 6, 2024, at the Oklahoma Air National Guard’s 138th Fighter Wing located at Tulsa International Airport.
The nomination form and submittal instructions are available here. All nominations must be submitted by noon on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024.
Nominations are being accepted for:
Pearl Carter Scott Oklahoma General Aviation Distinguished Service Award
Eula “Pearl” Carter Scott became the youngest pilot in the United States on Sept. 12, 1929, when she took her first solo flight at the age of 13. She was taught to fly by the notable aviator Wiley Post and was a stunt pilot. Scott was elected to the Chickasaw legislature in 1983 and served three terms there. She was inducted into the Oklahoma Aviation and Space Hall of Fame, the Chickasaw Hall of Fame, the International Women’s Air and Space Museum Hall of Fame, and is a charter member of the National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian.
The Pearl Carter Scott Oklahoma General Aviation Distinguished Service Award honors Oklahoma trailblazers in today’s industry. This category is open to any professional within the industry — instructors, examiners, commercial or general aviation pilots who have excelled and are committed to the growth of aviation in the state. Through their passion and determination, they serve as an inspiration to other aviation professionals.
Requirements: Nominees must be an Oklahoma resident, hold a pilot’s certificate, and have exemplified the extraordinary attributes of an outstanding female aviator.
Geraldyn N. Cobb Oklahoma Military Aviation Distinguished Service Award
Jerrie Cobb was a seasoned pilot and held world records for speed, altitude, and distance. As part of the Mercury 13 class, Cobb had undergone rigorous physical and psychological examinations and emerged in the top 2% of all those who were tested. Cobb was named Woman of the Year in Aviation, Pilot of the Year by the National Pilot’s Association, inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, received the Pioneer Woman Award for her “courageous frontier spirit” flying all over the Amazon jungle serving primitive Indian tribes, and was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.
The Geraldyn M. Cobb Oklahoma Military Aviation Distinguished Service Award honors Oklahoma military leaders dedicated to the service of our nation. This category is open to any woman (enlisted or civilian) who has excelled in her vocation while supporting the mission of Oklahoma’s military installations. Qualified candidates are pilots, mechanics, techs, etc., who have shown great courage in the face of adversity and have exemplified the integrity of an outstanding aviation-related service member.
Requirements: Nominees must be an Oklahoma resident with exemplary United States military service and be in good standing through retirement, honorable discharge or active duty.
Dr. Shannon Lucid Oklahoma Aerospace Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Shannon Lucid is an American biochemist and a retired NASA astronaut. She obtained her pilot’s certificate shortly after graduating from Bethany High School. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry and a Master’s and Ph.D. in biochemistry. In 1978, NASA selected Lucid for the NASA Astronaut Corps. Lucid has flown in space five times, including a prolonged mission aboard the Mir space station in 1996 — she is the only American woman to have served aboard Mir.
In 1996 Lucid was awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, becoming the first female recipient. She was inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame, and the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame. In 2002, Discover magazine recognized Lucid as one of the 50 most important women in science.
The Dr. Shannon Lucid Oklahoma Aerospace Distinguished Service Award honors Oklahoma aerospace professionals who are committed to advancing innovative solutions that support the growth of the aerospace industry. This category is open to any notable woman advancing the mission of the industry, through education, research, administration, or promotion.
Requirements: Nominees must be an Oklahoma resident.
Leave a Reply