Attending the Women in Aviation conference in Dallas was nothing short of inspiring. Not only was this my first year as an attendee, it was also my first year as an exhibitor and my company’s first year as a sponsor with our JETPUBS Forever Notebooks. Truly not knowing what to expect, I was amazed by the feeling of camaraderie and positivity upon attending many fantastic events and meeting many incredible women.
As a new member of Women in Aviation, the first event I attended was the New Members’ coffee. It was a sigh of relief walking into a room full of people who, like me, were experiencing this conference for the first time. It didn’t matter that one woman at my table worked for a large aircraft manufacturing company or another woman received an impressive WAI scholarship: at that moment we were all just women taking in this amazing experience together.
That evening I attended the Opening Reception and continued to meet women in a variety of different occupations, including a lobbyist for an aerospace union in Washington, DC and a corporate pilot. These women talked about their stories and their travels, their struggles and their successes. As a young woman in the industry, they encouraged me not box myself in to one place or one position, but rather to explore many different opportunities and never settle for anything less than what makes me truly happy.
One of my favorite events of the entire conference was Saturday’s General Session. At this event I heard the stories of Amelia Rose Earhart, Lt. Col. Jen Nothelfer, and Heather “Lucky” Penney. These three women are involved in the industry in different ways, yet they all take “girl power” to the next level! To quote Heather Penney, “The jet doesn’t care if you’re a man or a woman. It only cares if you know your stuff.”
If there’s one piece of advice I would give to a first time WAI attendee, it would be put yourself out there and soak up the stories of the women around you. While branching off on your own can be nerve-wracking at times, it is absolutely nothing compared the terrific stories you’ll hear and the memories you’ll take with you. Heading home from this conference, I am taking with me an increased understanding of the industry, stories from individuals who soar to new heights every day, and a feeling that is nothing short of inspired.
– Lauren Olson, JETPUBS Inc.