NEWS RELEASE 08-14
December 17, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Peggy Whitson, called NASA’s most experienced astronaut with 377 days in space, will be a keynote speaker on Saturday, February 28, 2009, at WAI’s 20th Anniversary conference in Atlanta.
Whitson is a biochemistry researcher who made her first space mission in 2002, with an extended stay aboard the International Space Station as a member of Expedition 5. In 2007, she became the first female commander of the International Space Station when Expedition 16 was launched on October 10, 2007. During Expedition 16, as commander, Whitson oversaw the first expansion of the station's living and working space in more than six years.
These two long-duration stays aboard the Space Station make Whitson NASA’s most experienced astronaut. She has accumulated 377 days in space between the two missions, the most for any U.S. astronaut and 20th among all space veterans. In addition, Whitson has performed a total of six career spacewalks, adding up to 39 hours, 46 minutes, more than any other woman.
With the theme "A New Approach to Your Tomorrow," the WAI Conference will also include a private tour and reception at the world-famous Georgia Aquarium, seminars, workshops, networking events, speakers, and commercial exhibit area. The Conference concludes on Saturday evening, February 28 with WAI's traditional banquet where many scholarships are awarded and the 2009 group of Aviation Pioneers is inducted into WAI's Aviation Pioneer Hall of Fame. The closing banquet is sponsored by UPS.
Registration is available on line at www.wai.org/09conference, and the discounted Conference rate is available at the Atlanta Hyatt Regency through February 2, 2009. A discounted "early bird" registration fee is available through December 5, 2008. Photos are available upon request.
Women in Aviation, International is a nonprofit 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to providing networking, mentoring and scholarship opportunities for women and men 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.
###
Contact:
Connie Lawrence
Women in Aviation International
937-839-4647 Phone
937-839-4645 Fax