Women continue to be underrepresented in the aviation field, where they currently make up less than 12% of aerospace engineers, less than 10% of licensed pilots, and less than 3% of maintenance technicians. The 2022 Women in Aviation Advisory Board Report, through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), states that attention to workplace culture, recruitment, retention, and advancement of women will improve access to women seeking career opportunities in aviation. The aviation workforce at-large needs strengthening and there is a concerning pilot shortage, which is challenging the air service industry, specifically in rural areas. 

With the support of U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Jerry Moran (R-KS), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced the bipartisan legislation Promoting Women in Aviation Act (S. 1154). The bill would establish the Women in Aviation Advisory Board permanently within the FAA so it can continue to provide valuable insight on best efforts to recruit, promote, and retain more women in the industry. Senator Peters has been a strong advocate in Congress for strengthening and expanding STEM education. He has previously introduced legislation to improve inclusion of women, minorities, and people with disabilities in STEM careers.

“Strong representation of women in the workforce is imperative to our nation’s economic competitiveness and success, including in critical fields like aviation,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. “My commonsense, bipartisan legislation aims to increase the number of women working in aviation, helping to fill workforce gaps and keep costs down by making sure we have enough engineers, pilots, technicians, and other critical aviation workers for years to come.”

“There are 55 critical recommendations in the Women in Aviation Advisory Board report that will help to recruit, retain, and advance more women in the aviation industry,” said Kelly Jost, former Women in Aviation Advisory Board member from Michigan, and a Managing Engineer at aviation group C&S Companies. “Establishing a permanent advisory committee is one of those recommendations and a big step towards progress, because this committee will promote accountability and move the other recommendations forward.”

Through the Promoting Women in Aviation Act (S. 1154), the Women in Aviation Advisory Board will become a permanent committee and dedicate their efforts to recruit and retain women in critical positions in aviation. The committee will submit reports outlining a comprehensive plan to continue this effort. 

Zonta International is proud to highlight this impressive legislative movement, as we have been championing women in aerospace engineering through our Amelia Earhart Fellowship since 1938. The Zonta International Amelia Earhart Fellowship of $10,000 is awarded annually to 30 women pursuing Ph.D./doctoral degrees in aerospace engineering and space sciences all over the world. In fact, the 2024 fellowship recipients will be announced at the end of this month! 

Please use our pre-drafted letters to urge your senators to co-sponsor and support the Promoting Women in Aviation Act. If they have already sponsored or co-sponsored the bill, you can send a message of thanks.