Hosted by SkyWest Airlines in Salt Lake City, Women in Aviation International held its annual Girls in Aviation event on Sept. 21, featuring multiple airlines and advocating for young girls to consider a career in aviation.
The event was open to the public and taught 8 to 17-year-old girls the various recreational and professional opportunities available in aviation.
"There's so many different ways you can get involved with aviation, whether it be through air traffic control, maintenance, private pilot, police force or even fire rescue," Baylee Slepko, event volunteer, said. "It's so awesome to get young girls learning about different careers."
Abbie Hessing, brand coordinator for Breeze Airways, said she was inspired by all the girls who showed up to the event.
"I wish I had learned about it when I was younger," she said. "That's why I think this event is so cool."
Girls in Aviation has grown beyond expectation, uniting women from diverse corners of the U.S., Hessing said.
"All over the country, we come together to celebrate girls doing cool things in aviation," Hessing said. "In the past, there hasn't been as much of an opportunity for women in aviation, so we're just telling girls that they can do whatever they want to."
Rebecca Voss, a member of The Ninety-Nines — an organization started by Amelia Earhart for female pilots — noted there is strength in numbers when it comes to women in aviation.
"As a woman, there are some things that are easier with other women," Voss said. "Having women pilots around you is really helpful with this male-prominent career."
At the event, pilots from every field of aviation let attendees tour their planes. Each aircraft performed different functions needed for its area of work. Girls got to ask the pilots questions about what they do and how they got in their position.
Several of the women at the event shared their paths into aviation. For example, Slepko said she began as a flight attendant but has been working towards becoming a pilot.
Hessing began working in aviation through an internship, she said.
"I found out about the internship in college and worked on the marketing team," said Hessing. "I've always loved to travel, but I really developed a passion and respect for the pilots, flight attendants and people on the ground that do really cool things with planes."
The event's mission was to invest in the current and future aviation workforce, inspire young girls and women to consider a career in aviation, and build an inclusive, diverse industry for aviation around the world, according to Women in Aviation International's website.
"Just go for it if you feel to do it," Voss said. "Sometimes the road seems hard, but it'll work out in the end."
To find a local Girls in Aviation event or learn more, go to www.wai.org.