Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week is a global outreach initiative that takes place annually during the week of March 8, anniversary date of the world’s first female pilot license since 1910 and International Women’s Day since 1914.

The week is designed to raise awareness of aviation opportunities available to girls of all ages while celebrating the accomplishments of past and present women of aviation.

36 countries on 5 continents

In late 2009, Mireille Goyer, an airline pilot -aviation educator and President & CEO, Institute for Women of Aviation Worldwide, conducted a search for planned events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first female pilot license worldwide earned by Raymonde de Laroche on March 8, 1910. To her dismay, she found none.

Determined to not let this important milestone for female pilots go unnoticed and uncelebrated, Goyer launched a worldwide campaign. Her goal was to honor the female aviation pioneers of 1910 by fulfilling their dream to see more women involved.

She encouraged pilots from around the world to “Fly It Forward®” (i.e., introduce a girl or a woman to flying). As a result, over 1,600 girls and women discovered the joys of flying in thirty-six countries on four continents throughout 2010.

The initiative aims to foster gender balance in the air and space industry. It celebrates women’s historical contributions, raises awareness of aviation’s opportunities for girls and women, and sparks vocations among the female population by introducing girls and women to aviation thanks to industry-wide collaboration.

As of March 2015, 96,000 have directly participated in the annual celebrations and 21,656 documented Fly It Forward® flights have been granted to girls and women on five continents. Significant media coverage in association with the week’s activities has allowed many more to become aware that this exciting industry is for women too.

Turkey will contribute in the event

Can Erel, a Turkish aeronautical engineer and author, who has motivated the related businesses, universities and technical schools across Turkey to celebrate Women Of Aviation Worldwide Week since 2014 will be giving a conference speech of series of Turkish pioneer aviatrix in the development process of Turkish aviation starting 1913 in Turkish, namely “Turkish Women in the Development Process of Turkish Aviation” in Ankara on March 13, 2016.

Turkey has a proud female pilot history. Sabiha Gökçen is generally recognized as the world’s first female pilot to have a formal fighter pilot career. Istanbul’s second international airport is named after her. The country’s demonstrated commitment to engage the female population to consider aviation in 2015 guided iWOAW’s decision.

On 8th March TEI will held an event within the coverage of Wowen of Aviation Worldwide Week. Moreover, on same day, in Eskişehir, Antalya and Ankara, Istanbul Aviation Museum and THK University will contribute to the world record within scope of Pink Paper Event.