For nearly a decade, Women in Aviation International have grown and fostered one of the largest global celebrations of female aviators. Girls in Aviation Day, founded in 2015, is a worldwide celebration where female aviators gather and support one another through shared activities, similar experiences, and collective events. On Girls in Aviation Day, thousands of girls ages 8-18 gather with one another to meet strong female role models, experiment with educational resources, and gather information on scholarships. At any of the worldwide participating locations, there are activities that cater to girls anywhere from elementary school to high school. At every location, there is an opportunity for a girl interested in aviation. Girls in Aviation Day was created to celebrate women in aviation and to inspire the next generations of female aviators for decades to come.  

While this is a global event, there are a couple of hosting locations that are close to our home here in Grand Forks. The WAI Northern Planes Chapter is hosting North Dakota’s Girls in Aviation Day, and this year, they will be hosting at the Fargo Air Museum. Volunteers from around North Dakota will flock to Fargo to participate in this monumental day. Historically, volunteers and aviators from around the area bring unique airplanes, helicopters, and aviation themed prizes and handouts to get younger girls involved. Women and men of all ages gather with one another to support the shared goal of inspiring young females to pursue their dreams in aviation. While it may go unsaid, an event of this magnitude requires multiple volunteers and hands to aid in its mission. Airline pilots, military representatives, and local airport volunteers and aviators are among those that make the day possible. Additionally, the JetBlue Foundation, SkyWest, and the Baylor Institute for Air Science are some of this year’s top contributors. Additionally, the University of North Dakota, being one of the nation’s largest aviation schools, is proud to send representatives to the Girls in Aviation Day in Fargo, ND. They will also send them to Flying Cloud in Minnesota. Representatives from UND’s chapter of Women in Aviation, as well as UND’s Air Race Classic Team will be attending Girls in Aviation Day in both locations.  

Girls in Aviation Day falls on September 23rd, 2023. Though the event is catered primarily towards girls, men are more than welcome to attend, volunteer, and participate. The impact of an event such as this is immeasurable and can be life-changing for those who participate and attend. The nearest participating will be Fargo, North Dakota, at the Fargo Air Museum. Visit wai.org/giad to find more information.  

Sadie Blace is a Dakota Student General Reporter. She can be reached at [email protected].