Camaraderie, Inspiration for Women Aviators Set for EAA WomenVenture at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2020

Photo above by Chris Miller.

For the 13th straight year, the opportunity for women who love aviation to build camaraderie and open doors to mentorship and participation comes to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2020 during the EAA WomenVenture activities throughout the week.

The 68th annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention will be held July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. EAA WomenVenture is presented by The Boeing Company, with additional support from Endeavor Air, The Outlet Shoppes at Oshkosh, Ford Motor Company, United Airlines, General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), Women in Aviation International, and the Ninety-Nines, Inc.

Since 2008, EAA WomenVenture has offered the opportunity to bring together female aviators from throughout the flying community. The activities are designed to encourage participation by women in aviation, as only 6 percent of all pilots in the U.S. are female.

“EAA WomenVenture always provides unforgettable experiences and camaraderie for women in aviation, particularly as it comes during the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration at Oshkosh,” said Margaret Viola, a pilot and EAA volunteer, who is leading the organization of this year’s activities. “These activities are where experienced women aviators can reunite among our favorite aircraft, and is also a springboard to motivate other women to get involved in aviation for fun or a future career, as we’ll present activities that motivate and inspire.”

The schedule includes:

·         Monday, July 20, 5:30 p.m. – The EAA WomenVenture social, presented by Endeavor Air. This kickoff to the 13th annual WomenVenture schedule invites all women to meet and connect in a fun atmosphere of an ice cream social. Preregistration online at EAA.org/WomenVenture is required.

·         Wednesday, July 22, 11 a.m. – Annual EAA WomenVenture group photo on Boeing Plaza.

·         Wednesday, July 22, 11:45 a.m. – The EAA WomenVenture Power Lunch at Theater in the Woods. Tickets are $5 each and preregistration for this lunch is required at EAA.org/WomenVenture. This year’s speaker is Captain Bebe O’Neil. Hear her inspiring journey about serving her country in the U.S. Air Force, becoming System Chief Pilot at United Airlines, and her new role with United’s Aviate program.

·         Wednesday, July 22, 7 p.m. – EAA WomenVenture evening program at Theater in the Woods. Participants to be announced as they are confirmed.

A limited-edition EAA WomenVenture T-shirt is available (while supplies last) to all women who participate. Those T-shirts must be reserved in advance via the EAA WomenVenture website and may be picked up at the AirVenture Welcome Center beginning Monday, July 20. The printed T-shirt registration or confirmation of T-shirt registration on a mobile device must be shown when picking up the T-shirt. Women are encouraged to wear the T-shirt for the July 22 group photo to show the collective strength of women in the aviation community.

In addition, women are invited to the Welcome Center to sign the EAA WomenVenture logbook any day during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2020.