By Sandra Shelton
Presented by Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology and the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA), the eighth annual Oklahoma Women in Aviation & Aerospace Day welcomed Oklahomans and people from across the United States honoring the trailblazing women who shaped Oklahoma’s early days in aviation and celebrating the success of today’s most influential aviation leaders from across the State. This year, in collaboration with the 138th Fighter Wing Air National Guard Wing (ANGW), Tulsa International Airport, the Oklahoma Air and Space Forces Association, Rose State College, Omni Aircraft Maintenance, and the Oklahoma Defense Industry Association, the gathering was held on Friday, December 6, 2024, at the base for a day of inspiration and recognition.
The Roses and Wrenches theme was a salute to aircraft maintainers, technicians, and aerospace industry support personnel. Just as Rosie symbolized strength, determination, and the vital role women played in building the nation, the event aimed to shine a light on the critical workforce needs in aviation.
“Aviation and aerospace is the state’s fastest growing industry and – thanks to their efforts – it is an industry that is now more accessible to women than ever before.,” said Grayson Ardies, Executive Director of ODAA. “This work not only supports Oklahoma’s growing aerospace and aviation industry but also strengthens our readiness to serve both civilian and military needs.”
This year’s event featured a luncheon, a keynote address from Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malikowski, a combat veteran and the first woman pilot on the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, and celebrity emcee, Kellie Hudson, who is the first female certificated air boss in the United States who also served 20 years as an Air Force air traffic controller.
The event also hosted a panel discussion presented by Omni Aircraft Maintenance that honored the women who have shaped aerospace and inspired the next generation to seize the vast opportunities in this dynamic field. Let by Lt. Col. Deirdre Gurry, the panel explored the exciting careers for those turning wrenches, engineering avionics, piloting rockets, and charting the course for commercial space flight.
“As the Campus President of Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, I am proud to celebrate Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day,” said Kari Pahno, Spartan College, Tulsa Campus President & Vice President, Student Experience. “This event, beautifully put together by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics and various supportive partners highlights the incredible contributions of women in shaping our industry’s future. At Spartan, we are deeply passionate about championing women in aviation and recognizing their vital role in advancing our field. We are committed to empowering the next generation of female leaders in aviation by providing training opportunities, fostering innovation, and building a more inclusive and diverse future where everyone can soar.”
The history of Oklahoma Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day began with an effort by the ODAA in 2017 when the former Aeronautics Commission presented a bill to the Oklahoma legislature (SB 230), and it was enacted into law, to officially recognize the contribution of Oklahoma women in the State’s aviation and aerospace industry, on December 9th, annually.
The date marks the birth of the famous Chickasaw aviator, Pearl Carter Scott, of Marlow, Oklahoma. Scott learned to fly at the age of 13 under legendary aviator Wiley Post. She became the youngest pilot in the United States with her first solo flight on September 12, 1929, the same year that Amelia Earhart established the female pilot group, the Ninety-Nines.
The legislation was written and championed, and the event was chaired by Sandra Shelton, the Director of Government Affairs, Industry Development, and Communications, for the ODAA. While the event has now developed to be the largest annual gathering of aviation stakeholders in the State of Oklahoma, Shelton, and other supporters of the event agree – there’s still room to grow. “The push is on to make the aviation and aerospace industry the State’s top economic driver,” said Shelton. “The work we’re doing today is laying a foundation for our success and it complements a statewide strategy to inspire students of all backgrounds to pursue a career that harnesses their talents and interests in a mission that is meaningful to so many. It’s exciting to be a part of something that continues to grow in size and impact each year.”
Col. Abigail Ruscetta was honored at the 2024 Oklahoma Aerospace and Aviation Woman of the Year for her service at Tinker Air Force Base and her volunteerism throughout the military aviation community. In honor of Pearl Carter Scott, the events’ inspiration, the 2024 Pearl of the Year award went to Delora Simpkins Mealor, a 101-year-old resident of Oklahoma City who worked as a riveter at the age of twenty years old at the Cessna Plant in Wichita, KS, during world war II…an original “Rosie the Riveter”!
During the event, the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association in friendship with the Oklahoma City Chapter of Ninety-Nines awarded three outstanding women the following awards: the Pearl Carter Scott award to Jeri Dawn Barrientos, a private pilot, aviation philanthropist, and owner of First Mate Financial; the Geraldyn Cobb award to Col. Shelby Dreyer who serves as Commander of the 137th Special Operations Wing, Will Rogers Air National Guard Base in Oklahoma City; and the Dr. Shannon Lucid award to Victoria Natalie who serves as the Director of Strategic Innovation, Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE) at Oklahoma State University.
One of the pillars of the event in 2024, which was co-hosted by the 138th Fighter Wing of the Oklahoma Air National Guard and presented by Rose State College, is focused on inspiring the next generation of aviation and aerospace professionals. Over 500 students were in attendance from 32 high schools. Students met pilots and technicians, saw airplanes (including F-16s) up close, and felt the surge of enthusiasm that flowed from all attendees whose passion and love for aviation is rooted in their desire to support an industry that is critical to our national security, commerce, and quality of life.
“As the only college in Oklahoma certified to offer Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) high school curriculum directly to high school students, Rose State College was especially proud to be part of this event and share with AOPA students from across the state that Rose State offers college credit for the work they are doing every day in their local districts. Supporting the three-day build with some sweat equity alongside our ODAA partners was especially fun and rewarding,” said Dr. Whitney Alvis, Dean of Workforce Development, at Rose State College. “Seeing our backpacks carried by the students during the high school aviation parade was the highlight for our team! We can’t wait to see what this next generation creates for aviation in Oklahoma. ”
ODAA’s Katelyn Wade, Marketing and Outreach Coordinator, served as co-chair for the luncheon and produced the student event and Paula Kedy and Stephanie Holt Lucas, also from ODAA staff, as well as SMSgt Andrew Lamoreaux and Lt. Col. Camrin Smith, representing the Oklahoma Air National Guard, planned the student experience. Over 100 volunteers from various organizations including the Oklahoma National Guard supported the event and over 60 companies partnered in support.
Thank you to our valued community partners including AAR Corporation, Acorn Capital Management, Air and Space Forces Association, American Airlines, Ardmore Development Authority, Aviation Training Consulting, LLC, Atlantic Aviation, CareerTech, Critical Components, Consolidated Turbine Specialists, Delta Airport Consultants, FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, First Mate Financial Advisors, FlightSafety International, Garver, Gordon Cooper Technology Center, HNTB, Jones PR, Krato’s Defense, KSA, L3 Harris – VIP Reception Sponsor, Leidos, Lochner, Lufthansa Technik North America Holding Corp., MidAmerica Industrial Park, Mint Turbines, NORDAM, Northrop Grumman, Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense Innovation Institute, Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research & Education, Oklahoma Airport Operators Association, Oklahoma City Innovation District, Oklahoma Defense Industry Association, Oklahoma Department of Commerce ACES Program, Olsson, OMADA International, Omni Aircraft Maintenance- Firehouse Panel Sponsor, OU College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences, Parkhill, Pratt & Whitney, Ready 3, Rose State College – Student Experience Event Sponsor, Spartan College – PRESENTING SPONSOR, Spirit AeroSystems, Sundance Airport, Stillwater Regional Airport , Tulsa Air & Space Museum – Hangar Experience Sponsor, Tinker Federal Credit Union, Tulsa International Airport, the Transport Workers Union of America, Local 514, Tulsa Innovation Labs and United Dynamics.