Below please find a call to all pilots to help make a difference during Women Of Aviation Week.

Your heart is pounding and palms are damp, all from a mix of nervousness and excitement. The four seat aircraft rolls upon the runway and quickly gained speed. Before you know it, you are soaring with the birds as buildings and cars begin to diminish to the size of ants. I think all pilots will agree that the memory of their first flight in a small aircraft is as vivid as yesterday. Now envision girls and women of all ages: high school students, retired professionals, moms and daughters. See them bound out of small aircraft with great enthusiasm. There are over 200 girls and women in total, a scene witnessed each year that Frederick Municipal Airports hosts a Fly-It-Forward event to celebrate Women Of Aviation Week.

That captivating scene will come to life March 4th through March 10th, 2013. Women Of Aviation Week celebrates the women of aviation, past, present and future during the week the first women earned her pilot certificate. Throughout this inspirational week, events are hosted to raise awareness to all the opportunities available for women in the air and space industry. To achieve the WOAW mission, there are no limits to the creative activities event hosts can offer participants. Free flights, static displays and special guests are just several things that can inspire a future pilot.

Last year 1,104 girls in seven countries received their first flight during Women Of Aviation Week. Awards brought on friendly competition between events to keep the number rising. With every article making it to the media and with every girl and women introduced, organizers and pilots earn points that could lead to great prizes and the honor of Women Of Aviation Week titles for the year. Who will earn the ‘Most Female Pilot Friendly Airport Worldwide’ title? Who will be named the ‘Most Female Pilot Friendly Training Center Worldwide’?

Although the official week will end and awards will be presented, WOAW's mission continues. It is more than a week; it is a constant movement that continues throughout the year. Businesses and organizations who partner with Women Of Aviation Week activities receive Women Friendly Aviation Business seal to let their customers know of their support. Pilots are encouraged to continue inspiring new women to reach for the sky and, in turn, earn more points throughout the year to collect beautiful VIP WOAW Member pins.

It is time to form that image of our first time flyers in your head once again. Now it is your turn to bring magic in a girl or woman’s life. You are coming out of the plane, meeting your newly inducted female flyer around the other side. Feel what it would be like as they shake your hand with wholehearted gratefulness. Imagine how this will affect your day. Think of the change it could have on that passenger's life. Can you imagine the impact of having such an event in each and every state?

Participating in Women Of Aviation Week is no longer a distant idea. March 4-10, 2013 is your turn to make an impact as we celebrate 50 years of women in space. If you are interested in hosting or volunteering at an event at your airport, please contact Victoria Neuville at and visit www.WomenOfAviationWeek.org for more information.

Thank you for your time,
Victoria Neuville
U.S. Team Leader
Women Of Aviation Week