Page 30 - World Airnews Magazine March 2020 Edition

WOMEN IN WOMEN IN
AVIATION AVIATION

HAMPTON MIDDLE SCHOOL GFPA IS FLYING HIGH

GIRLS GET BOOST FROM ty,” said Ledwaba.

The Foundation runs a number of

viation has not been a viable
AEROSPACE MENTORS Acareer choice for women in the different annual programmes that aim
to develop and cultivate a culture of
community building through volunteering
Southern African Development Commu-
nity (SADC) region for many years and and equal opportunity.
The GFPA does this at a primary school
so founder Refilwe Ledwaba decided to level by creating Maker Spaces – or multi-

create an organisation called the Southern

chool had been let out for the African Women in Aviation and Aerospace function spaces where learners gather to

Sday, but a science lesson was Industry (SAWIA) in 2009. create, invent, tinker, explore and discover

still in session in the library at Jones Aimed at creating a platform to all sort of things using different materials.
Magnet Middle School in Hampton on educate young women at a grassroots “Using recycled materials such as cans,

Monday evening. level about aviation, SAWIA also sought glass, and paper and plastic, we create an
environment where they can learn how to
About a dozen sixth-grade girls had to empower them through exposure to think as the first step to innovating solutions

small baggies of metal pilings and other women in this field and address the for their own communities,” said Ledwaba.

were directing their movements with a need for gender equality in the Science, At a secondary school level a number
small magnet. At the front of the room Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math-
Heather Kline - a research assistant ematics (STEAM) sectors. of outreach programmes are held to
raise awareness among girls about
at the National Institute of Aerospace The idea for a Girl Fly Programme in STEAM careers, particularly in aviation
(NIA), who works in conjunction with Africa (GFPA) was born and the foundation and space. The GFPA has an open online

NASA Langley Research Center - was was established in 2010, initially operating course and through the Fly for STEAM

explaining to the girls why the Earth has under SAWIA. Since then the organisation

a magnetic field that Mars and Venus has become an independent registered campaign over 500 000 girls in Africa
have had exposure to this.
lack. (Our molten core is hotter, provid- NPC and PBO. The foundation is currently

ing more highly charged materials.) operating in Botswana, Cameroon, Kenya Girls educated on STEAM careers, during

“If you had a compass on Mars,” and South Africa and has impacted the lives our outreach programmes, have the
Kline concluded, “it wouldn’t be of more than 100 000 youth through our opportunity to gain further knowledge and
access thanks to our skills development
too helpful.” various programmes. programmes namely robotics workshops,

The girls in the classroom are part of the The GFPA mission is to transform individ- design thinking workshops, aviation and

new BraveHearts club, overseen by faculty uals and communities by re-shaping minds space camps.

members Tijuana Lambert and Tonia and creating an inclusive environment

During the last years of secondary school,
Lancaster. where girls are encouraged and inspired the GFPA assists girl scholars in their future
It is Hampton’s chapter of a national them. Any later and you worry that about what it’s like to fly a plane and to take up careers related to the worlds of career by organising job-shadowing oppor-

organisation for middle school girls, aimed they’ll think it’s too hard for them and what kind of training is required. aviation and space. tunities, mentoring and network events. Q

at increasing confidence, leadership and just check out altogether on “I appreciate having someone like her “Our core values include integrity, learn-

empowerment through exposure to ca- those subjects.” to come here,” said Robin Sorrell, who ing, empowering, innovation, and equali- For more information go to https://

www.gfpafoundation.org/

reers in science, technology, engineering Kline was among the first to volunteer said she might want to pursue a career
and math (STEM). for McAllister’s programme - a 31-year-old in aerospace.
Women have historically been under- engineer with a college doctorate and a “I try to be grateful for what I have,
represented in those fields, but in recent private pilot’s licence. and to be able to talk to someone who

years there has been a nationwide push Kline grew up in Seattle and recalled has actually done those things, and to WOMEN IN AVIATION INTERNATIONAL
to expose girls to technological courses at being the only girl in a science-themed ask her questions, that’s really helpful.”

earlier ages. summer camp at age five. Her classmate A’Kiera Salik said she is

Toward that end, Hampton City She said the shortage of women role already benefiting from the new Brave- growth and new opportunities for WAI in our industry,” she added.

Schools STEM teacher specialist Betsy models in aviation and aeronautics never Hearts group at the school. the next 25 years.” “I am thrilled to work for this great

McAllister - who serves as educator held her back, but she knows that she ben- “I signed up because it looked really omen in Aviation Chabrian will attend WAI’s next organisation, to meet many members at

in residence at NIA - had arranged for efited from her early science education interesting,” she said. WInternational has a conference for this month March 5-7 in our conference next month, and to move

some young women from NIA and the and wants other girls to have the same “It’s helpful learning in different ways new CEO starting this month. Allison Orlando, Florida. WAI in a direction that will construct

American Institute of Aeronautics and advantages. than the textbook in the classroom. I’m McKay, formerly vice president at the “The WAI board of directors formed an programmes and initiatives to propel
Astronautics to lead STEM activities for “It’s my way of giving back, I guess,” looking forward to the field trips, too.” Helicopter Association International executive search committee to conduct women of all ages and backgrounds

the girls. Kline’s presentation at Jones she said. Foundation, will join WAI and will be an extensive search for a new leader to to follow their own personal aviation
Magnet on Monday was “We need engineers. We need pilots McAllister has been teaching in Hamp- responsible for “the future strategic continue our organisation’s critical role dreams,” Allison McKay said.

the first. - there’s a pilot shortage coming up. If ton for more than two decades, but she vision of the 14,500-member strong in encouraging more women to pursue “Thanks to Peggy Chabrian’s dedication

still gets a rush witnessing those moments

“I think they need to see somebody we tell 50% of our young people ‘This is when science sparks an interest in a cre- careers in aviation and aerospace,” said to this industry and her vision to create the

they can see as a near peer in the not for you,’ that’s ridiculous. It harms ative young mind. organisation while overseeing the Marci Veronie, board chair. annual conference and the organisation,

field - someone young and female who us and keeps us from getting to our full board of directors, professional staff, “Allison’s substantial experience in I am honoured to carry on this work and

looks like them,” McAllister said. “We potential.” “You never get tired of those aha mo- and daily operations.” corporate philanthropy, event manage- direct the future of this organisation.”

know there are groups underrepresent- Kline worked with the students for ments,” she said. McKay takes over for WAI founder and ment, and government relations, plus McKay said that fundraising, strategic
ed in the STEM fields, and about 45 minutes, using examples from “You see that light click on, and that’s former CEO Peggy Chabrian said, “It’s her strategic thinking and long-term rela- planning and workforce development

if they can see someone they can relate her own experience to hold their when things start to happen. That’s the been my pleasure and honour to serve tionships with key industry stakeholders, are her priorities as she begins work. Q

to, they can say, ‘If she can do it, I can attention and explain the principles she reaction we’re trying to get here.” Q as WAI president for the last 25 years established Allison as the best candidate

do it.' was describing. since the organisation was founded. I to lead WAI into a strong future while in- Article courtesy: https://www.avweb.

“If they’re not turned onto STEM by Given an opportunity to ask ques- Article courtesy: https://www.dailypress. wish Allison all the best for continued spiring the next generation as they enter com/aviation-news/

middle school, we run the risk of losing tions, the sixth-graders eagerly inquired com/
World Airnews | March 2020 World Airnews | March 2020
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