PANEL DETAILS
Saturday, April 27, 2024
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Moderator: Colonel Marcelyn Atwood, USAF (Ret) (Navigator serving from 1980-2005)
Slides w/Panel Discussion
“WASP Legacy: Modern Women Military Aviators!”
The WASPs were the women pioneers in military aviation. They volunteered to do their part, but perhaps more importantly to them—they volunteered for the opportunity to fly the leading-edge, technologically advanced aircraft of the time. They flew every aircraft in the inventory and proved military aircraft do not care what gender is behind the controls. Then after the war, several WASPs donned uniforms and joined the military, albeit serving in ground positions. They proved women could integrate into units and accomplish the mission. In the 1970’s the WASPs realized the modern military women aviators who were volunteering to serve and fly, would need support to succeed. They stood up the Women Military Pilots Association, a non-profit organization, and reached out to the Air Force female pilots. The WASPs shortly became our mentors providing friendship, sage advice, and sometimes a smack directing us to snap out of it and just get the job done. This panel will explore our personal relationships with the WASP and tell stories you’ve not heard before!
OFFICIAL WOMEN MILITARY AVIATORS WEBSITE
Women Military Aviators | Aviary (aviaryplatform.com)
READ MORE ABOUT COLONEL MARCELYN ATWOOD, USAF (RET)
