Wow, what a year 2021 has been for aviation and aerospace. Here at the Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter (WiAAC), we wanted to take the time to reflect on the amazing number of milestones we have reached during 2021 despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. One of the biggest takeaways from the COVID-19 pandemic is that we must not allow the progress made towards increased diversity and inclusion be lost.
Charter Activity
With most Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter (WiAAC) activity taking place online this last year, it is amazing the number of milestones that have still been reached. Let’s look back over 2021, here is just a snapshot of our activity:
The Resource Hub Takes Off
In February, we officially launched our Resource Hub which includes information and guidance from different sources for every step in the career process, helping individuals work towards improving gender balance in their organisations.
Case Study in the ‘Gender Perceptions and Experiences Working in Transport’ Report
This year, Women in Transport launched its 2021 ‘Gender Perceptions and Experiences working in Transport’ report. The report, highlights women’s perceptions of industry culture and features the WiAAC as a case study on pg.83.
We turned three!
In July we celebrated our third birthday by reflecting on all we have achieved. You can read signatory ADS’ reflection on our third birthday here.
Challenging Together
To celebrate our birthday in true Charter style, we took part in Farnborough International Airshow Connect and our Co-Chair Sumati Sharma co-hosted a panel event with IATA entitled ‘Challenging Together’. Topics discussed included the importance of representation at senior leadership level, the importance of encouraging ambition from the beginning, the importance of authenticity, and ensuring information on how to speed up diversity and inclusion progress is widely available. You can read more about the panel here.
Welcomed our New Co-Chair
In November 2021, we were delighted to appoint Victoria Foy, EVP of Safran Seats GB, as our new Co-Chair. Victoria succeeds Jacqueline Sutton who served as Co-Chair of the Charter since July 2020. You can read more about Victoria’s appointment here and watch our interview.
Inaugural Women in Aviation Dinner
To celebrate the end of the year, Oliver Wyman and the Charter hosted a dinner in London, with senior and influential guests attending from industry. It was wonderful to be able to reconnect with so many supporters and discuss how to drive greater diversity and inclusion across Aviation and Aerospace in the UK and Europe. You can read our Co-Chair and Co-Founder Sumati Sharma’s reflections here.
A massive WiAAC thank you
Thank you to all our Work Package Volunteers! As a volunteer body, we could not have achieved any of this without the substantial support of the amazing men and women who make up our work packages with many dedicating so much time and expertise to helping this year. We’re making a real difference that would not be possible without you, so thank you.
Finally, the Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter wishes you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. You can follow our activity on Twitter and LinkedIn, and we look forward to reconnecting in 2022!
Blog written by Joscelyn Turner, Media and PR Officer ADS and communications work package volunteer for Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter.