A rescheduled date of Saturday, March 16, Women in Aviation International (WAI) corporate member Atlantic Aviation at Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE) is hosting their first Girls in Aviation Day (GIAD) Greater Delaware Valley at PNE – an annual outreach event organized by nonprofit, Aviation Influence, Inc. (AVi). Taking place at Atlantic Aviation’s PNE location, this event aligns with the Greater Delaware Valley on bringing more aerospace opportunities to the region. GIAD aims to inspire the next generation of females in aviation.
Nearly 800 guests are expected to attend this FREE event with a plethora of aerial displays, activities, special surprises, and STEM exhibits. Top sponsors for this year’s event are The Boeing Company with presenting sponsors Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Philadelphia Northeast Airport (PNE), Leonardo, CHUBB, Clay Lacy Aviation, Aviation Institute of Maintenance, FunD Av Consulting, Pilot Institute, Influential Drones, Civil Air Patrol, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and WAI corporate member and venue host, Atlantic Aviation.
“The underrepresentation of girls and women in STEM fields is a global challenge,” said Michele Hengey, Boeing Global Engagement Community Investor. “Boeing invests in young women in STEM to encourage top talent to join the engineering and aerospace industries. Girls in Aviation Day and this partnership with Aviation Influence, Inc. allows Boeing to reach as many young girls in our communities as possible. We want them to know they are the future of the aerospace industry and to aim high as they consider this important career pathway.”
Hundreds of young ladies and their parents/guardians are invited to attend the upcoming ‘Girls in Aviation Day’ (GIAD) Greater Delaware Valley event on Saturday, March 16 at Atlantic Aviation PNE. The event opens to registered attendees at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 4:00 p.m. Lunch by veteran caterer, Franco’s of Marlton – a family owned and operated established also involved in aviation – will be served. Attendees will enjoy static displays, fly drones, get inside aircraft, various hands-on activities and participate in STEM and aviation exhibits. Female attendees will also have a chance to interact, learn from and engage with influential women across aviation, notably a Tuskegee Nurse, airline and corporate pilots, engineers, aircraft technicians, air traffic controllers and dispatchers, wildlife experts, drone pilots and cadets from the Civil Air Patrol, to name a few!
“PNE is excited to co-host the ‘Girls in Aviation Day’ event with Atlantic Aviation,” added Nikki Marenic, PNE’s airport operations officer. “This event holds great significance as it empowers young girls to dream big and break barriers in the aviation industry. We believe that diversity and inclusivity are vital for the growth and progress of any industry, and we are proud to be part of an initiative that encourages girls to pursue their passions fearlessly.”
A special highlight to this year’s event is the historic World War II combat veteran aircraft, C-47 “Placid Lassie.” Placid Lassie is the lead aircraft for the D-Day Squadron’s upcoming 2024 Legacy Tour, involving commemorations across Europe this May and June for the 80th anniversary of D-Day and 75th anniversary of the Berlin Airlift. A symbol for WWII education and honoring the Greatest Generation, the Placid Lassie crew are made up of seasoned and skilled corporate, airline and recreational pilots, mechanics, and historians ready to engage with a young audience.
“Having a vintage aircraft on display among Boeing’s large presence, the general aviation community and other aerial displays really sets the stage to cover our past, present and future of aviation in one show,” shared Lyndse Costabile, sponsor of the event and co-founder of Aviation Influence. Lyndse also serves as the executive director of the D-Day Squadron, leading the organization’s work to assemble more than a dozen DC-3/C-47 aircraft to Europe for the upcoming commemorations. “Our GIAD event illustrates how many organizations and companies gather for the greater good – exposing this industry to young minds with education at our core.”
GIAD aims to address the aviation workforce shortage by introducing young women to careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and their role in aviation. Over the last four years, Aviation Influence has worked tirelessly to provide more access and scholarships for young people to enter the sector, specifically in STEM and aviation fields.
“We’re thrilled to fulfill our promise to the Philadelphia area and bring GIAD to PNE this year,” added Costabile. “Last year, our GIAD event produced more than $12,000 in scholarships, and we expect to exceed that figure this year. We are grateful to our partners and hosts for stepping up in both 2023 and 2024, bringing impact and excitement to young ladies planning to attend.”
As a corporate host, Atlantic Aviation is joined by other industry organizations planning to exhibit including Boeing, the Federal Aviation Administration, PNE and PHL airports, Leonardo, Civil Air Patrol, Parts Life, Beyond Aviation, Black Women in Aviation (BWIA), Pilot Institute, Influential Drones, and Aviation Institute of Maintenance.
Girls ages 8-17 are encouraged to attend. Additional information including logistics and registration information can be found by visiting 2024 RSVP for GIAD Event.
Corporate partners and donors interested in supporting the event can contact Maricarin Minnock | Development, Corporate Relations & Administration for Aviation Influence, Inc. at, development@aviationinfluence.org
