Kill Devil Hills , NC,
March 7, 2003

Women aviators of all ages representing an impressive array of aviation backgrounds will gather at Wright Brothers National Memorial next weekend to celebrate their legacy and important contributions to aviation and aerospace during the last century.

"Women are, have been, and will continue to be vital to the success and advancement of aviation. As astronauts, military aviators, commercial pilots, and much more, they push the envelope to better our world. The National Park Service is honored to have these women with us in celebration of Women's History Month during this Centennial of Flight year," stated Lawrence A. Belli, Superintendent Outer Banks Group, National Park Service.

Among the participants at next week's celebration will be Patty Wagstaff, world-champion aerobatic pilot; Ethel Finley, Florence Shutsy-Reynolds, Scotty Gough, Caro Bosca and Lillian Yonally from WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots of WWII); Nancy Wright and Marie Grein from the Ninety-Nines, Inc.; Judy Tokar of Air Race Classic; Mary Feik of Civil Air Patrol; women representatives from NASA-Langley; women pilots from all branches of the military; civil aviation pilots; women from the Federal Aviation Administration; and young women representatives of the Wright Flight Program. In addition, North Carolina native William S. McArthur, NASA Astronaut, will join the group of women in the two-day celebration.

In concert with the Centennial's focus on the future, all Women in Aviation participants will be matched on Thursday with a younger female "shadow" from the award-winning Wright Flight Program's First Flight Elementary School. The girls will assist their mentors during the program's activities on Friday, March 14 and Saturday, March 15.

Friday, March 14 has been designated Kids Day. Approximately 1,000 students and teachers from Dare County and surrounding county schools are expected to attend the program during the 8:00 - 4:00 schedule of events. There will be five "stations" with activities, exhibits, or talks running continuously throughout the day. Women in Aviation Exhibits from NASA and the United States Air Force will be on display in The Visitor Center and participant speeches and panel discussions are to be held throughout the day in the Flight Room. Other stations include a tent with exhibits and memorabilia, the Wright Brothers Camp, static aircraft displays, and kite demonstrations by Kitty Hawk Kites. In addition, visitors may climb Big Kill Devil Hill to see the monument. The public is invited to attend, and normal park fees apply.

On Friday evening, a reception honoring Women in Aviation will be held at Glenn Eure's Ghost Fleet Gallery in Nags Head, featuring art and poetry by women artists. The event, sponsored by Icarus International and The Outer Banks History Center Associates, is from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Saturday's program at Wright Brothers National Memorial is similar to Friday's, but the hours of operation are from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. All participants, with the exception of Patty Wagstaff, will attend. The National Park Service welcomes members of the Girl Scout Council of Colonial Coast. Again, the public is invited to attend and normal park fees apply.

During the weekend, several aircraft will be on display, including a Navy H-3 helicopter, a Navy H-60 Blackhawk helicopter; an Army National Guard H-60; a Navy H-3, the Coast Guard HH-65; and the Wright Flight Plane Cessna 172.

Contact:

Erin Porter,
Centennial Planning Office
(252) 441-6291 ext. 224
fax: 252 441 2828
cell: 252 256-1206
ErinPorterNPS@aol.com