The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) has announced that Sisters of the Skies™ has been chosen as the recipient of the 2023 Clifford Henderson Award.
The Henderson Trophy, founded in 1960, is named after Clifford W. Henderson, an enthusiastic aviation proponent. The Trophy is awarded annually to a living individual, group of individuals, or an organization whose vision, leadership or skill made a significant and lasting contribution to the promotion and advancement of aviation and aerospace. Nominees are proposed by the NAA President and approved by the NAA Executive Committee.
Sisters of the Skies, Inc™ is being honored for their commitment to increase awareness of the opportunities in aviation and increase the number of Black female pilots who are introduced, celebrated, and supported through their scholarship, mentorship, professional development, and outreach programs.
“The growth of aviation as an industry and as a career is threatened by the lack of a broad pipeline for talent,” said NAA President & CEO Greg Principato. “Sisters of the Skies makes an incredible contribution to solving that problem. They are building the future of aviation. It is exactly this kind of passion and commitment that we seek to honor with the Clifford Henderson Trophy, and it will be an honor to present the 2023 award to Sisters of the Skies.”
Sisters of the Skies, Inc™, originated in 2016 by two pilots, was initially founded to connect the few Black female pilots flying commercially and for the U.S. Military. As they began to turn to current aviators for support, they soon discovered that more was needed. Since its founding, Sisters of the Skies, Inc™ has grown to a multifaceted organization that attracts and retains aviation professionals as well as provides representation to a new generation of pilots.
“The Henderson Trophy holds profound significance for Sisters of the Skies, serving as a testament to our unwavering dedication and commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable industry,” said Sisters of the Skies, Inc™ Co-Founder Nia Gilliam-Wordlaw. “This prestigious award validates our mission, recognizes our accomplishments, and powerfully affirms the impact we are making in the field of aviation. We are honored to be a recipient.”
Please join us in celebrating this award at the Sisters of the Skies Scholarship Gala on February 3, 2024. More information about the event can be found here.
