NEWS RELEASE 01c-07
January 25, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Orlando, FL-Women in Aviation, International (WAI), is inducting three new members into its Pioneer Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 17, during its 18th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference at Walt Disney World's® Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida. WAI is a nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization that provides networking, mentoring and scholarship opportunities for women who are looking for challenging and fulfilling careers in the aviation and aerospace industries, for aviation enthusiasts, and aviation educators.
Those women being inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Fame are:
Major Deanna Bresseur volunteered and successfully graduated as one of the first three women to earn their wings in the Canadian Forces in 1981. She was the first woman jet pilot instructor assigned to 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (2CFFTS), Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan (1981-85) and the first woman pilot to be awarded a Flight Commander position as the T-33 Flight Commander with Base Flight Cold Lake, Alberta (1986-88). She is currently employed on the Air Staff at National Defence Headquarters in the Directorate of Air Strategic Planning, and as the Chief of Staff Harassment Advisor and Military Co-Chair of the Defence Women's Advisory Organization.
Iris Cummings Critchell was a member of the first Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPTP) at the University of Southern California (USC), graduating from the Advanced Acrobatics course in 1940. She was member of the second class of women recruited by Jacqueline Cochran for Army flight training in Houston, earning her wings in May 1943 as a member of WASP Class 43-2. Critchell developed the first aviation curriculum for the USC College of Aeronautics in beginning in 1946. In the late 1950s, Critchell's instruction of, and subsequent friendship with, Isabel Bates spawned a unique curriculum that used the airplane as an educational tool to broaden and enhance the education of young people beginning with junior high and high school. Iris and her husband Howard established the Bates Foundation college-age program at Harvey Mudd College of Science and Engineering at the Claremont Colleges in 1962. Iris served as Director of the Bates Aeronautics Program, and for 28 years, as Lecturer in Aeronautics on the college faculty. After retirement to Emeritus status, she continued some teaching and counseling until 1996.
Marie Marvingt won gold medals in skiing, bobsledding, skating, rifle shooting and numerous other events. She was the only person in history to earn the gold medal of the French National Sports Federation "For All Sports" awarded in 1910. On 10 June 1910, Marvingt became the third woman in the world to earn a fixed wing pilot's license, following Baroness Raymonde de LaRoche and Marthe Niel. She became the holder of the first formally recognized woman's flying record, with a flight of 53 minutes during which she flew 42 kilometers on 27 November 1910. Marvingt's greatest achievement was her life-long effort to make the airplane an integral part of medical support for both civilian and military casualties. As early as 1910, she recommended the creation of airplane ambulances, and by 1912 she had designed a practical one and collected public donations to order it from the Deperdussin Factory.
More than 3,000 women and men, students, active and reserve military, corporate and individual members of Women in Aviation, International are gathering for the three-day event, which culminates in a gala Scholarship Awards Ceremony, Pioneer Hall of Fame Ceremony and banquet. Speakers included Former Astronaut Bonnie Dunbar, Virgin Galactic's Will Whithorn and Rear Admiral Wendi Carpenter. As much as half a million dollars in scholarships will be awarded to as many as 50 Women in Aviation, International members February 17, as well.
The 2007 Women in Aviation, International Conference is being held February 15-17, 2007, at the Walt Disney World® Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, Florida. Nominations for next year's Pioneer Hall of Fame must be submitted before August 2007 for consideration.
Women in Aviation, International is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to providing networking, mentoring and scholarship opportunities for men and women who are striving for challenging and fulfilling careers in the aviation and aerospace industries. For more information about the Conference and about WAI, contact WAI at 3647 State Route 503 South, West Alexandria, OH 45381, Phone (937) 839-4647; Fax (937) 839-4645 or through www.wai.org.
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Contact:
Connie Lawrence
Women in Aviation International
937-558-7655 Phone
937-839-4645 Fax