Oklahoma’s aerospace sector will place women at the forefront of its centennial aviation celebrations this week, as the state prepares to host the Ninth Annual Oklahoma Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day. The event, taking place on 12 December at the AAR Campus at Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma City, is set to be the largest gathering in the initiative’s history, reflecting both the scale of the industry and the growing prominence of women within it.
The celebration coincides with the 100th anniversary of Oklahoma’s aviation heritage, which stretches from 1925 to 2025. Organised by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA), the day aims to honour the contributions of women to a sector that now generates nearly $44bn in annual economic activity and ranks as the state’s second-largest economic engine. The event’s official date, observed on 9 December, commemorates the birth of pioneering Chickasaw aviator Pearl Carter Scott, who became the youngest pilot in the United States in 1929.
Partnerships and Purpose
This year’s programme is being delivered in partnership with AAR Corporation, JE Dunn, the Oklahoma City Airport Trust and the Oklahoma Aerospace Foundation. Together, the organisations will bring industry leaders, students and community stakeholders together for a half-day programme designed both to recognise excellence and to inspire future generations to pursue aviation careers.
A key draw will be keynote speaker Amelia Rose Earhart, an international aviation figure and broadcaster best known for recreating the global flight path of her namesake, Amelia Mary Earhart. Her participation underscores the event’s tribute to the “Golden Age of Flight” and its celebration of the pioneering spirit that defined early aviation.
Event Schedule and Programme
The ceremony will open with a reception at 11 a.m. before formally launching at 11:30 a.m. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell will deliver the official Oklahoma welcome at 11:45 a.m., followed by a citation presentation to AAR and JE Dunn by Senator Paul Rosino. Earhart’s keynote address is scheduled for 12:10 p.m., after which the event will transition into a series of award presentations recognising outstanding contributions by women across the industry.
Among these honours are the Pearl Carter Scott Distinguished Service Award, the Geraldyn M. Cobb Oklahoma Military Aviation Distinguished Service Award and the Dr. Shannon Lucid Oklahoma Aerospace Distinguished Service Award. The Woman of the Year accolade will also be presented, with Robin Hadfield accepting on behalf of the Ninety-Nines, the international organisation of women pilots founded in 1929.
Further awards presentations, including the Pearl of the Year and the 2025 Oklahoma Women in Aviation and Aerospace Awards, will continue into the early afternoon. The programme will close at 12:55 p.m., led jointly by Jeff Mulder of the Oklahoma City Airport Trust and Grayson Ardies, Executive Director of ODAA.
Industry Engagement and Experiences
Throughout the day, attendees will have opportunities to network, explore static aircraft displays and experience flight simulators—features intended to provide practical insights and industry exposure to aspiring professionals. Organisers emphasise that hands-on interaction is central to the event’s mission of encouraging more women to enter high-demand fields such as piloting, aircraft maintenance, engineering, air traffic control and emerging advanced air mobility technologies.
Col. Dawn Zoldi will serve as Master of Ceremonies, with contributions from Mulder, Ardies and Earhart shaping the central narrative of the event: celebrating leadership while emphasising workforce development.
Economic and Strategic Significance
With average salaries in Oklahoma’s aerospace sector reaching $73,300—among the highest in the state—the industry remains a significant driver of economic opportunity. The Oklahoma Airport System, comprising 108 publicly owned airports, provides infrastructure essential to that growth, with more than 96% of the state’s population living within 30 minutes of a jet-capable runway.
The ODAA, whose mission is “to promote aviation, which includes ensuring that the needs of commerce and communities across the state are met by the state’s 108 publicly owned airports… and helping ensure the viability of the state’s aerospace industry,” views Women in Aviation Day as a strategic component of its long-term workforce strategy. By spotlighting trailblazers from the past and present, the organisation aims to bridge historical legacy with modern industry needs.
A Look Ahead
As Oklahoma reflects on a century of flight, this year’s Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day underscores both the grit and the grace of those who helped shape the state’s aviation identity. It also signals a forward-looking commitment to nurturing an inclusive talent pipeline—one that will be essential to sustaining the state’s position as a national aerospace leader for decades to come.
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