Photo By Staff Sgt. Katie Grandori | Capt. Alix Johnopolos, commander of the Illinois Army National Guard's 1-106th...... read more read more
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The Illinois Army National Guard’s State Aviation Mission Survivability Officer and two female aviation officers —all three UH-60 Blackhawk pilots—represented the ILARNG at the second annual “Girls in Aviation Day” event held at Quad Cities International Airport in Moline, Illinois on Sept. 24, 2022.
The pilots used the event to inspire young potential aviators by giving them information about aviation opportunities in the ILNG and allowing participants to explore the controls, cockpit, and cargo area of a UH-60 Blackhawk.
“Girls in Aviation Day” is supported by the nonprofit organization, Women in Aviation International, and hosted locally by the Quad Cities International Airport and John Deere, Inc. The event is part of a national effort to promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) educational paths and careers in aviation to school-aged girls and women.
“We began hosting [Girls in Aviation Day] because we believe it is important to get kids interested early,” said Ashley Davis, the marketing manager for the Quad Cities International Airport. “We believe passion starts young especially in aviation. What better way to get kids involved than to have hands-on activities, simulators—let them know what’s possible?”
According to a 2019 study from the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Aviation Institute in partnership with Women in Aviation International, women make up less than 10 percent of pilots, maintenance technicians, aerospace engineers, dispatchers, cybersecurity experts, airport managers, and air traffic controllers.
2nd Lt. Gabrielle Cole, executive officer of G. Co., 111th Aviation, already earned her bachelor’s degree in engineering from Princeton University and master’s degree from the University of Chicago when she began dreaming of being a pilot.
“I always knew I wanted to serve in the military,” said Cole. “I saw a Blackhawk one time on TV, and I thought, ‘That is so cool.’ When I saw there was an opportunity to join the National Guard and stay in Illinois, but still serve and be a pilot, I thought, ‘Sign me up!’”
Davis said that she hopes the event will inspire other young women to explore their dreams in aviation. “The best thing to do is to come to events like this where you have a wide variety of different kinds of careers available and just start learning and exploring and being curious.”
Cole and Capt. Alix Johnopolos, the commander of the 1-106th’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company and female Blackhawk pilot, held a question-and-answer segment during the event. They each shared their individual path into aviation and answered questions about what it was like to be a helicopter pilot in the ILARNG.
Davis said, “I certainly want to thank the Illinois Army National Guard for joining us today. This is a huge opportunity for women and girls to see people that pursued this career.”
Cole and Johnopolos shared their experiencing being female pilots in a male-dominated field. Cole explained that any added pressure she feels as a woman is due to wanting to represent women well by being proficient in her duties and competitive with her peers. “I think the challenge of being a woman in aviation is a huge benefit,” said Cole. “It drives you to be as good as you can be and reach your potential.”
Cole encouraged other young women who are considering becoming pilots in the ILARNG or going into another STEM field by saying, “Go for it. It is never too late and never too early to reach out and grab your dreams.”
| Date Taken: | 09.24.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2022 15:25 |
| Story ID: | 430053 |
| Location: | MOLINE, IL, US |
| Hometown: | MANTENO, IL, US |
| Hometown: | MOLINE, IL, US |
| Hometown: | OAK PARK, IL, US |
| Hometown: | VILLA PARK, IL, US |
| Web Views: | 124 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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