BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
Three 940th Wing senior master sergeants joined aviation professionals from around the world at the 2012 Women in Aviation Conference in Dallas, March 8-11.
The 23rd annual event attracted more than 3,300 participants, including pilots, mechanics, cabin crew, engineers, astronauts, management and flight support professionals, students and teachers, and general aviation enthusiasts. Military members from every branch of service were also present.
"It's a great opportunity to network, not only with other military members, but with representatives from the many industries involved in the world of aviation," said Senior Master Sgt. Michele Juliano.
Juliano, who has served 34 years in the Air Force Reserves as an electrician/environmental technician, will retire later this year. While this was the final time she would attend the WIA conference in uniform, she said she intends to continue going to the annual event.
"Aviation is a life-long passion for me," Juliano said. "This conference is an opportunity to be around others who share that passion."
Senior Master Sgt. Nancy Hinojosa echoed Juliano's sentiments. This was her third consecutive WIA conference.
"WIA is an energizing experience. The professional development seminars offered at these conferences are outstanding. I take away new ideas on how to be a better supervisor and mentor to the younger enlisted members of my unit," said Hinojosa. "Generational diversity in the workplace was discussed a lot this year. It's something I hadn't really given much thought to, but I'll definitely incorporate what I learned to help me improve as a supervisor."
In addition to the many seminars, this year's conference boasted keynote speakers that included Federal Aviation Administration Administrator, Michael Huerta; Vice President of Boeing Flight Services, Sherry Carbary; CFO of American Airlines, Isabella Goren; and Z. Nagin Cox, a member of NASA's Mission Operations Flight Team, Mars Science Laboratory.
"The keynote speakers were excellent, and the amount in scholarships given away at the conference was incredible," said Senior Master Sgt. Cheryl Orr.
However, according to Orr, the real highlight of the event is the chance to meet and visit with the pioneers of women in aviation, the World War II-era Women Airforce Service Pilots.
"These silver-haired ladies are truly inspirational for all women in aviation," said Orr, a veteran with 34 years in aircraft maintenance. Like Juliano, she will be retiring from the Air Force Reserves in the near future, but said she will return to the annual conference.
Hinojosa, Juliano and Orr have developed personal friendships with some of the WASPs they've met at WIA conferences over the years.
"We try to keep in touch through letters and cards. And it's always great to get to see them at this conference. We really look forward to it," Hinojosa said. "We have so much respect for these women and what they accomplished. They paved the way for women like us to have careers in aviation. We owe them a debt of gratitude for blazing that trail."
Plans are underway for the 24th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference to be held in Nashville, Tenn., March 14-16, 2013. For more information, log on to www.wai.org.