Women in Aviation, International Pioneer Hall of Fame Nominations

Download Application- (in pdf format)

Brief History
The Women in Aviation, International Pioneer Hall of Fame was initiated in 1992 at the Third Annual International Women in Aviation Conference held in Las Vegas, Nevada. The hall of fame has continued to be an annual event with the induction ceremony being conducted at the annual WAI conference.

Purpose of the WAI Pioneer Hall of Fame
The purpose is to recognize women who have made significant contributions to the aviation industry as record setters, pioneers or innovators. Special consideration is given to women who have helped other women to become successful in aviation or opened doors of opportunity for other women.

Eligibility Requirements for Nominees

1. Nominees must have made outstanding contributions to one or more of the following areas:

• Aviation Education
• General Aviation
• Commercial Aviation
• Military Aviation
• Corporate Aviation
• Aerospace
• Other Aviation

2. The major contributions(s) must have been significant record setting or pioneering efforts.

3. Candidates can be living or deceased.

4. All facts submitted for review must be independently verifiable.

5. All nominations must be submitted to the WAI Pioneer Hall of Fame Committee by September 10, 2011.

6. A judging committee will review all applications. The judging committee will make final selections based on how the nominee's contributions met the criteria of record setting or pioneering efforts.

7. A maximum of five candidates will be inducted in 2012.

8. Announcement of successful candidates will be made in January 2012 and the induction ceremony will be held in March 2012 at the International Women in Aviation Conference banquet on March 10th, 2012.

9. All applicants must submit three (3) copies of each proposal. Applications without the appropriate number of copies will not be accepted and will not be considered for the Pioneer Hall of Fame.

10. Nominations may not exceed this application form and two (2) additional pages.

Submission Deadline

Applications must be received by September 10, 2011. Send application and proposal to:

Pioneer Hall of Fame Committee
Women in Aviation, International
3647 State Route 503 South
West Alexandria, OH 45381

Fax: (937) 839-4645

Who is a Pioneer?
To those who wish to nominate a Pioneer, we understand it may be difficult to know if the person you want to nominate fits into the "Pioneer" definition, and if your nomination justification will convince the selection committee. At the WAI conference in Orlando in February 2007, RDML Wendi Carpenter, USNR, provided the following (paraphrased) list of "Seven Key Attributes of a Pioneer." Please use the list as a guide only, with the understanding that it may not fully define all "Pioneers."

(1) Pioneers have faced difficult circumstances with great determination and courage. In spite of the odds, they have triumphed and made lasting contributions.

(2) Pioneers always press forward into tomorrow - into the unknown. And they do it with style and class and uncommon grace.

(3) Pioneers definitely proceed with NO fear, or at least it is so well hidden that no one else ever sees it.

(4) Pioneers seize the opportunity and make the most of it, as it is presented and in some cases (if necessary) they make your own opportunity.

(5) Pioneers are bold risk takers with great vision.

(6) Pioneers never, ever take NO for an answer, nor do they let someone get away with that age old excuse "because we have always done it this way."

(7) Finally, Pioneers have always been willing to help others to get to the same point and to make the road easier for the next group coming after them. They are mentors and encouragers. They give back and pay forward. They are indeed the heroes we should treasure and emulate.

Download Application- (in pdf format)