The Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics collaborated with multiple entities including Atlantic Aviation Corporation, Wiley Post Airport, the 137th Special Operations Wing, the Air and Space Forces Association of Oklahoma, and the Women in Aviation International Greater Oklahoma City Metro Chapter to host its second annual Girls in Aviation Day in central Oklahoma. The day began at the Atlantic Aviation FBO’s hangar 4, located at the company’s facility at Wiley Post Airport in Oklahoma City. The Girls in Aviation Day event focused on introducing young girls to the exciting fields of aviation, aerospace, and aeronautics, educating them on career opportunities, and bringing awareness to the many diverse fields within the industry.
The newly built hangar #4 hosted over 600 girls, 450 adults, and 50 exhibitors for the Central Oklahoma Girls in Aviation Day which took place on September 21st. The opening session “rally” for the girls included speakers such as Representatives Nicole Miller, Marilyn Stark, Denise Crosswhite Hader, Tammy Townley, Tammy West, and Senator Julia Kirt. Col. Abigail Ruscetta from Tinker Air Force Base served as the keynote speaker while the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics Grayson Ardies served as the event emcee.
Worldwide, more than 16,000 girls, ages 8–17, experienced the fun and inspiration of WAI’s 9th Annual Girls in Aviation Day in their local communities through unique events hosted by WAI chapters and corporate members. In 2022, over 120 events were held at airports, FBOs, museums, and hangars in 19 countries across the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Girls were introduced to career and lifestyle possibilities in aviation and aerospace through meeting female role models, high school student aviation curriculum panels, exploring airplanes and learning about the Will Rogers World Airport. Fun and educational activities were presented ranging from building balsa wood planes, learning about aircraft engines and avionics, and exploring military aviation careers. The girls also engaged in hands-on learning about aviation including piloting, aircraft maintenance, the physics of flight, flight safety, aviation medicine, military aviation, and air traffic control.
“More than 600 Central Oklahoma-area girls attended our second annual event and had the opportunity to hear from aviation leaders from across the state,” said Sandra Shelton, event organizer and Director of Government Affairs, Industry Development, and Communications for ODAA. “We were so excited to partner with our wonderful friends at Atlantic Aviation and Wiley Post Airport about this opportunity to give back to the community,” she said.
Paula Kedy, Aero Education Coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics, leads the charge for the agency’s aerospace education initiatives across the state, including the AOPA “You Can Fly” program and Choose aerospace maintenance curriculum. Kedy is responsible for integrating these programs and other meaningful STEM opportunities for students and educators. “Oklahoma is focused on aviation in high schools, career techs, and colleges. Over 118 school districts are now teaching the AOPA You Can Fly program, and we were thrilled to support this special event to inspire young girls to seek out programs available to them through secondary and post-secondary education.”
Women in Aviation International has several chapters across the state and is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the encouragement and advancement of women in all aviation career fields and interests.
“We were extremely excited about the level of engagement from young girls and their parents who attended the department’s second annual Girls in Aviation Day celebration in Oklahoma City. Our efforts to continue to grow the aerospace and aviation workforce is critical to the success of the growth of the industry,” said Ardies.
The next event is set for Saturday, September 20, 2025.
