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Awards 2011 |
These awards are presented at the Annual International Conference of The Ninety-Nines
AWARD OF ACHIEVEMENT CONTRIBUTION TO AVIATION — EMILY HOWELL WARNER
When Emily was still a teen-ager, she received an invitation from two pilots to take a ride in the jump seat of a DC-3. This ride sparked the interest in aviation that, fueled by Emily’s determination and drive, eventually led her to the first airline captain’s seat ever awarded to a female pilot.
While working as a receptionist at a Denver flight school, Emily put most of her salary into flying lessons, earning ratings along the way that moved her from the receptionist’s desk to the role of chief flight instructor for the school. Watching many of the young men she taught go on to airline careers increased her own determination to advance in a field which at that time was still dominated by males.
Emily triumphed in the field of aviation, becoming “the first” in many achievements: 1st woman hired by a commercial airline; 1st female airline captain; 1st woman to lead an all-female airline crew; 1st woman member of the Airline Pilots Association; and 1st woman FAA Pilot Examiner. Emily has been inducted in the Living Legends of Aviation, the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame, and the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Her captain’s uniform is on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.
AWARD OF ACHIEVEMENT CONTRIBUTION TO THE NINETY-NINES — LISA COTHAM AND MARY MARGARET WUNDER (Co-Winners)
Lisa Cotham
A member of The Ninety-Nines for twenty-three years, Lisa has never allowed the eighty-mile distance from her home chapter of New Orleans to prevent her from holding nearly every chapter office and committee chairmanship and taking on a leadership role in all chapter projects. She organized the first Wings Weekend ever held in Louisiana, started the Flying Buddy seminar for non-pilot right-seaters, and assisted in Girl Scouts Day, airmarking projects, and numerous other projects which have earned funds and recognition for the chapter.
Lisa has also served twice as the Governor of the Southeast Section. She was elected to the first Board of Trustees for The 99s Museum of Women Pilots in 2000, and as Board Chairman in 2003, wrote a successful grant application through the National Endowment for the Humanities. In 2005, Lisa was elected to The Ninety-Nines International Board of Directors, where over the course of two terms she led such major projects as the creation of the 2007 Calendar, “Women Owned Aircraft,” the design and publication of new membership brochures, and the updating of SOP’s related to Public Relations.
After her term on the International Board ended, Lisa continued taking the lead in major projects, including facilitating The 99s’ partnership with the FAA Safety Team whereby The 99s became the first industry partner in the FAAST program.
Most recently, Lisa served as the Southeast Section Chair for the joint meeting with the South Central Section in Lafayette, Louisiana in May.
Mary Margaret Wunder
Mary’s aviation experience includes numerous pilot ratings as well as a long career with the FAA as an air traffic controller in some of the nation’s busiest airspace. While working as a Philadelphia Approach Controller, Mary facilitated tower tours for fellow 99s, school groups, and other aviation organizations, always encouraging better understanding and cooperation between controllers and pilots, as well as promoting careers in aviation for women. The FAA awarded Mary a Special Achievement Award in 1992, and she continued to work on special projects for the FAA until her retirement.
A member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter since 1981, Mary has served in many chapter positions and was instrumental in fund-raising for the chapter’s scholarship program. She tirelessly promotes general aviation, offering a free flying lesson to participants in the chapter’s annual Pennies-A-Pound fundraiser, organizing Flying Companion Seminars, and offering free rides from her home airport to new members, new student pilots, or anyone who expresses enthusiasm for aviation.
Mary served on the International Board of Directors from 1997-2002, holding the offices of Director and Secretary. Her current passion is The Ninety-Nines Endowment Fund, for which she serves as the Chairman. Recognizing that future growth for The Ninety-Nines requires a dependable source of income, Mary is working tirelessly to meet the Endowment Fund’s million-dollar goal.
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AWARD OF ACHIEVEMENT CONTRIBUTION HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS — DANIELLE AITCHISON
When Danielle was furloughed from her position flying for a regional airline in New Zealand, she decided to embark on an adventurous path that eventually placed her in the middle of a war zone. After flying in Angola for a year, she accepted a position with the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) in Afghanistan. Based in Kabul, Danielle flew humanitarian workers to numerous different locations to fulfill their roles. Flying a Beech 1900D, Danielle faced daily challenges posed by weather, mountainous terrain, and military conflict. During this time, Danielle was interviewed by photojournalist Roger Arnold, who published an article about her experiences in a war zone, including an incident in which she and her crew decided to continue working after surviving a suicide bomb attack.
After finishing two tours in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Danielle went to Chad for a contract with UNFWP which involved flying aid workers into the Darfur region. She also flew weekly operational flights in Cameroon for the UNFWP as part of a short-term humanitarian effort to help stabilize the region. Danielle returned home to New Zealand to pursue her jet type rating after contracting malaria while on her last flying contract in the Comoros Islands.
AWARD OF INSPIRATION — TERRI DONNER
Terri joined The 99s at the age of eighteen. After earning her Private certificate, she completed her instrument, commercial, and CFI certificates and ratings while attending the University of Wisconsin. At the age of twenty, she was hired by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation as the state airport inspector, flying throughout the state for four years. During this time period, Terri received an AE Scholarship, enabling her to complete her multi-engine rating.
Moving to Louisville, Kentucky with her husband, their first son was born in 1984 and Terri became a flight instructor shortly thereafter. She was named Flight Instructor of the Year in Kentucky and the Southeast Region in 1986.
Hired by United Parcel Service as a flight engineer on the B727 in 1989, eighteen months later she upgraded to first officer, and six years later to B727 captain. When the B727 fleet was retired, Terri transitioned to the A300, an aircraft she loves and hopes to fly until she retires. Soon after Terri began her career with UPS, she presented a proposal that UPS direct some UPS Foundation funds to the Amelia Earhart Scholarship program. As a result of Terri’s proposal, UPS has donated to the AE scholarship every year since 1990.
Throughout her career, Terri has shared her love of flying with young people. Her two sons are avid balloonists and are ranked first and third in the U.S. in competition ballooning. Older son, Nick, finished second in the world in 2010 in Hungary and is a first officer for ExpressJet. (1985 Baltimore Conference attendees may recall young Nick getting caught in an escalator!) Daughter Amelia is not a licensed pilot but remains her mother’s biggest cheerleader.
In addition to serving as an inspiration to her own children, Terri has mentored dozens of girls and women. In 2009 she conducted a weeklong aviation camp for fifteen girls, exploring every facet of aviation. As recently as February, Terri provided tours of her Airbus for the Boys and Girls Club. In March, Terri conducted the 7th annual Junior Girl Scout Aerospace Badge Day, with 200 girls earning their badge. Terri continues to find joy in working with Ninety-Nines at the grass roots level, serving in chapter offices and planning chapter activities. Over the course of a distinguished career and 33 years of membership in The Ninety-Nines, Theresa Marie Donner has become an inspirational role model for the pilot community and for The Ninety-Nines.
AWARD OF MERIT— JERRY CLUBB
The Award of Merit recognizes a significant contribution to any facet of aviation made by an individual who is not a member of The Ninety-Nines. Mr. Jerry Clubb is recognized this year for his outstanding technical excellence in the field of spacecraft avionics development and operations, bringing about significant advances to America’s human space flight and exploration programs, including Saturn, Skylab, Space Shuttle, International Space Station, and the Hubble Space Telescope. Many of the advancements in spacecraft avionics pioneered by Jerry have had applications to military and civilian aircraft operations as well.
Jerry is recognized in the space flight community as one of the world’s leading software, hardware, and integration experts. He was responsible for the avionics interface between the solid rocket boosters and external tank on the orbiter, and redesigned the flight instrument system for the external tank that resulted in significant cost savings. As a NASA employee, he was the recipient of three Exceptional Service Medals – it is extremely rare for an individual to receive two, and unheard of to receive three - and the Outstanding Leadership Medal. The astronauts presented Jerry with the “Silver Snoopy Award” for designs that directly contributed to their safety. Jerry was also awarded the “Gagarin Medal” during his nine years as resident NASA avionics manager in Moscow.
Jerry is now with ATK Space Systems lending his expertise to the development and integration of avionics systems for the Ares I launch vehicle that will lift future space crews into orbit.
GEORGE PALMER PUTNAM AWARD — GAIL MESA NORMAN
The George Palmer Putnam Award honors an individual who is not a member of The Ninety-Nines for his or her support of The 99s.
It was her husband, John Norman, who passed away in September 2010, who sparked Gail’s interest in general aviation when he earned his pilot’s license. A long-time community activist, writer, and event coordinator, Gail has used those skills to promote general aviation and The Ninety-Nines in the Maryland area for many years. In 1994, she appeared before the Frederick city and county governments urging their support of the Wings of Freedom Air Show. She became the event coordinator and chief fund raiser for the first air show, working closely with aviation organizations to recognize and celebrate the sacrifices of military pilots. She went on to become known as an outspoken advocate for the recognition of women’s contributions to aviation.
When the Sugarloaf Chapter was asked to host the terminus of the 2010 Air Race Classic in Frederick, the chapter turned to Gail for assistance. Gail spent the next fifteen months on this project, enabling the Sugarloaf Chapter to provide a hugely successful and memorable ARC terminus. When Gail learned that Heather Taylor was working on the documentary Breaking Through the Clouds, she immediately contacted her and encouraged her to have it ready to present at the ARC terminus. She also commissioned the artist Fran Duval to create a series of original art depicting both current and pioneering women race pilots.
Gail assisted the Sugarloaf Chapter in raising approximately $17,000 to re-invest back into the community, benefitting at-risk youth via aviation programs, supporting aging aviators through hospice, and offering aviation scholarships for women. Gail continues to support The Ninety-Nines through frequent public appearances in the Frederick area.
PRESIDENT'S AWARD — THE NINETY-NINES HEADQUARTERS STAFF
The 2011 President’s Award is conferred on the staff members at our Oklahoma City Headquarters for their impressive and inspiring commitment to each and every member and facet of The Ninety-Nines. They work as a team, supportive of one another, and are determined to do everything in their power to champion our mission. They work nights, weekends, arrive early, check the property after storms, and meet special guests for museum tours at unpredicted hours. They live, breath, walk and talk all things “Ninety-Nines.”.
Four employees and one volunteer 99 comprise the staff: Headquarters Manager Laura Ohrenberg, Receptionist and Membership Assistant Lesley Niblett, Accounting Clerk Nancy Thompson, Accounting Coordinator Kymberly Hazlett and volunteer Carol Sokatch.
Laura, a native Oklahoman, began her employment in 2006, first in the role of Accounting Coordinator, subsequently as membership assistant and in 2007 was promoted to Headquarters Manager. She responds promptly to all inquiries and serves as a member of the Building Maintenance and Publications Committees and as Trade Show Chairman. Laura has a degree in Accounting and shares her exceptional talent for all things technological with The 99s, managing our Facebook pages, serving as Webmaster and now developing an SQL database in anticipation of converting from Lotus Notes.
Lesley, hailing from Massachusetts, started with The Ninety-Nines in September 2009. In addition to her reception and membership duties, she escorts visitors to the Museum of Women Pilots, books tours and works directly with members regarding their membership, Hers is the friendly voice you are sure to hear first when calling our Oklahoma City Headquarters.
Nancy is our Accounting Clerk, working part-time and handling accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll while also handling the caretaker reports for the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum and Museum of Women Pilots. Originally from Arkansas, she has an Associate of Customer Service Designation through the Life Office Management Association.
Kymberly has a B.S. in Accounting and a Masters in Education. She had a connection to aviation prior to joining our staff, teaching elementary principles of flight at the Sooner Flight Academy in Norman, OK. Kymberly first began working for The Ninety-Nines in 2002, spearheading the overall systematic cleanup of our accounting records, and setting the needed tone of consistency and accuracy.
Carol is a professional volunteer, not only for The 99s, but also for the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Whiz Kids and her church just this year alone. Countless worthy groups focused in education, health care and aviation have depended on her over many years. Carol joined The 99s in 1982 and has been a regular volunteer at our headquarters for over 10 years, unhesitatingly doing whatever is asked of her.
Updated 6/29/2011
2011 International Award Judges
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