By Katie Dushek | Spring 2018
“Because we’re such a minority in the aviation program, we thought why not come together and be stronger. On our own we each have a certain power, but when we come together to get things done and empower one another, it’s amazing”
— Paige Billetz
BGSU Freshman
“They don’t want women in the field because they don’t feel that they’re able to be in it, whether intelligence-wise or whatnot.”
— Mayra Kodman
BGSU Freshman
Tthe University’s chapter of Women in Aviation International is taking flight this year. The growth in the number of females enrolled in the aviation program prompted the formation of the organization, as 26 women are currently enrolled—a drastic difference from the mere two women enrolled five years ago.
“Typically in my aviation classes, there are only about three girls out of 25 people. That’s just a normal thing,” said Paige Billetz, a freshman aviation major and chapter president, sid. “A big part of Women in Aviation is attracting girls to these STEM fields.” Billetz set the wheels in motion for the organization in November, collaborating with the international organization and as the Office of Campus Activities.
The women chapter held their first meeting Dec. 2. WAI has two main goals: to create connections and networking opportunities for women in the aviation industry and to promote the field to more women.
The Federal Aviation Administration reports that as of 2016 only 6 percent of pilots were female. Women make up 28 percent of non-pilot jobs, but after removing the number of flight attendants, it drops to 4.4 percent.
“What’s important to me is to promote not only flying, but the engineering and mechanic aspect as well,” Billetz said. “I want girls to know more about aviation management and operations.
You don’t always have to be in the cockpit.” The group’s purpose is to encourage women in STEM fields and bring them together to break the stereotypes placed on them in the aviation field. Mayra Kodman, a freshman aviation major and vice president of the organization, said most of the male aviation instructors have been supportive of the group and of women in the field in general.
“Some people are still really old school about aviation, though,” Kodman said. “They don’t want women in the field because they don’t feel that they’re able to be in it, whether intelligence-wise or whatnot.”
Billetz said the biggest supporters of the organization are the female faculty at the flight center.
“Pretty much every woman over there is on board with it,” she said. These are some of the same women who, more than 20 years ago, started their own Bowling Green chapter of Women in Aviation at the University. It fizzled out over the years because of the declining enrollment of females in the aviation program.
“They’re all really excited for our chapter to start and to see what we’re able to do with it,” Kodman said. A six-person executive board, made up mostly of first year students, is running the organization. They plan on fundraising for the chapter, getting more involved in the community with service events and raising money for battered women’s shelters in the area.
Additionally, Kodman said two of their main goals are to go to the WAI convention and getting involved in local high schools to promote aviation to more girls.
The University chapter wants to be involved with numerous networking opportunities provided by the international organization.
They want to connect with other campus chapters, such as the ones at Kent State, Ohio University and The Ohio State University. Both Billetz and Kodman said they hope this organization will attract more attention to the aviation program. Russell Mills, a professor in political science, is the group’s faculty adviser.
“This organization is vital to the future of the industry, given the major shortages of female pilots and maintenance technicians,” he said. “I strongly believe the founding of this organization will spur additional women in aviation efforts across Northwest Ohio.”
Though still relatively new, the organization has been approached to assist with the Girls in STEM Conference to be held at University on May 18 through the 20. The women also plan to participate in WAI’s fourth annual Girls in Aviation day in October.
“Promotion-wise, it looks a lot better when you can have 12 girls stand up together instead of just one,” Billetz said. “Because we’re such a minority in the aviation program, we thought why not come together and be stronger. On our own we each have a certain power, but when we come together to get things done and empower one another, it’s amazing.”
