As with so many activities that happen every year, Womenventure’s activities provide both a touchstone for life and progress and inspiration to keep moving forward.
The first storm we experienced during this year’s convention was in the early morning hours of WomenVenture Wednesday.
Camping in the vintage woods adjacent to the flightline provided for campsite seats of the air shows, though the emergency announcements for severe weather coming were not as easy to hear as the air show announcers.
The text message alerts provided by EAA were limited; we found ourselves guessing on the track of storms and preplanning based on that. Like so many around us, the restorer and I reverted to our aviation weather training.
As the wind picked up enough to push the side of the tent down on us multiple times, we were up and watching the weather before dawn. The storm was forecast to come through at about 6:45 in the morning.
As most of the airport is covered with campers during the air show, airplane operations are limited overnight and begin again at 6 am. Having a cup of coffee while watching airplanes depart, the restorer and I planned for the storm. The first airplane to depart that morning was our friends from Mount Pleasant, Texas in the Lodestar we would hear later that they made it home by noon.
We moved what we could into the car, finishing our coffee while the rain and gust front moved through Wittman Field.
Rain forecasted for the morning was sure to impact both the Womenventure breakfast and the annual photo. Watching the rain slowly lighten up, making my way to the breakfast was not likely.
One of my former coworkers from the air ambulance was driving up for the breakfast and spending the day at the show – her text while pulled over indicated the weather driving was just as bad as what we had experienced on the grounds. Get there-itis was something to be avoided that morning.
I made it over to the breakfast in time for the last of the keynote speech and a cup of coffee with my dear friend.
Weather appeared to be moving out of the area until later in the day – the photo was going to happen!
My dad used to call appreciating airplanes kicking tires. We kicked as many tires as we could in Warbirds with the Corsairs and Mustangs parked next to each other before heading back to show center and the 747 DreamLifter –backdrop for this year’s photo. We met up with Rosie and her daughters, the blonde bomber and Phoenix, as well as Josie, the other half of one of the restorer’s sons. As is usually the case, Fifinella and I were in communication but did not meet up for the picture – we have been in the photo together before and likely will again down the road.
Conversation while getting ready for the photo was introductions for my former colleague and everyone – since our time together at the air ambulance she has become a captain on a regional airline. We both have taken time to decompress since our time there, in her current role she has been able to have a schedule and enjoy life more than in our previous roles.
The blonde bomber was still on cloud nine from her recent solo; her realization after the instructor left the airplane that she can do more than she realizes was something Josie reacted to as she is working towards her license as well.
Muggy Wisconsin heat was becoming more oppressive as they raised the photo platform and directed everyone to move in. It seemed like forever before they got a good photo but probably was just 10 minutes.
After running around and kicking tires for the morning, sitting down for the luncheon was a treat.
As with years past, the program did not disappoint – the keynote speaker – Michelle “Mace” Curran was compelling and yet down to earth. Part of the celebration of 30 years of women in aviation combat roles, a former Air Force Thunderbird pilot, her voice is confident and conveys technical matters in a manner that is relatable to the audience allowing for thought and transference from her experiences into insights for the audience.
Having lunch this year with my former colleague and Rosie’s family illustrated time passing for me. In past years, I had attended both the breakfast and luncheon with my airplane mom who is no longer able to fly. Her friendship with my dad, after Mom died, was more of a buffer for me than I realized at the time, encouraging me to fly in ways my dad could not; and showing how a strong woman can make a life for herself.
With Josie and the blonde bomber currently both making strides toward their aviation goals, I think of how my airplane mom and real mom had done decades before. Times where aviation was not as accepting as women. These women are my personal inspiration while the WASPS and those that came after are my professional.
Each one of us has the power to support and inspire those around us. It doesn’t matter our technical or financial background, we all have the ability to encourage each other towards a better version of ourselves.
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