Yesterday was not the best day for flying, diving, skiing, or snowboarding (if one were so inclined), but it was a great day to attend the annual Chicago Aviation Expo / Safety FAA Seminars. A big thanks to all the sponsors especially the ladies of the Ninety-Nines.

The Ninety-Nines is an International Organization of Women Pilots organization from 44 countries that provides networking, mentoring, and flight scholarship opportunities to recreational and professional female pilots established November 2, 1929.

The 99’s currently have thousands of members throughout the world. They are a non-profit, charitable membership corporation holding 501(c)(3) U.S. tax status.

Their International Headquarters is located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Although there are other female pilot organizations in various states and nations, virtually all women of achievement in aviation have been or are members of the Ninety-Nines.

The organization was founded at Curtiss Field, Valley Stream, Long Island, New York, where all 117 women pilots at the time were invited to assemble for mutual support, the advancement of aviation, and to create a central office to keep files on women in aviation.

Louise Thaden was elected Secretary and worked to keep the group together as they struggled to establish themselves and to grow. Those early purposes continue to guide the organization today.

In 1931, Amelia Earhart was elected the first President, and the group selected the name “Ninety-Nines” to represent the 99 charter members. Membership was immediately opened to other women as they became licensed pilots. In recent years, membership has been opened to include women with student pilot certificates.

Today Ninety-Nines are professional pilots for airlines, industry and government; “we are pilots who teach and pilots who fly for pleasure; we are pilots who are technicians and mechanics. But first and foremost, they are women who love to fly!”

Their Headquarters is home to large archival records, video oral histories, personal artifacts, collections and memorabilia, and biographical files on thousands of women pilots from around the world. It is also the site of the “99s Museum of Women Pilots“.

My major take away from today’s  Seminars is to “Always Fly Safe & Never Take Unnecessary Risks. Make Safety & Knowledge a priority in your aviation journey and you will become one of the best pilots around.”

Or applying this to other industries,  always work safe and never take unnecessary risks. Make Safety & Knowledge a priority in your Job journey and you will become one of the best Workers around.