October is Women's History MonthBy Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail
posted 6 September 2011 Take a moment to read highlights from Canadian women's fascinating accomplishments in military and civilian aviation, as well as to find out how the CAHS's first female president was recently honoured! |
Rosella Bjornson, Canada's first female airline captain.
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CAHS President Named Chatelaine Magazine's Maverick of the Year
For more information on the magazine and contest, please click here. To learn more about Danielle and her projects, visit her website at www.daniellemc.com.
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Rosella Bjornson
Birthdate: July 13, 1947
Birth Place: Lethbridge, Alberta Year Inducted: 1997 “As a girl, Rosella Bjornson dreamed of becoming an airline pilot. She achieved that dream in 1973 when she became the first woman in Canada to be hired by an airline, Transair, and the first female First Officer in North America. In 1990, she became the first female Captain with Canadian Airlines, the first time a woman had been promoted to that position with a major Canadian air carrier. With her involvement with school career days and various campaigns directed towards encouraging young people to get an education, Rosella continues to be a role model, especially for young women.” |
Rosella is an active member of the CAHS as well as other organizations you might be interested in:
If you're a woman involved in aviation in Canada, I would also encourage you to get in touch with Nanci Soldo at the newly-formed Women's Aviation Network.
In 2011, the Brampton Flying Club (BFC) identified the need to make a special effort to attract more women into the aviation industry. Only 6% of the members at the BFC are women and in fact only 6% of pilots in North America are women! There are few reasons, that we can see, that should prevent women from becoming pilots, flight instructors, aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs), aviation managers or business owners. The industry is predicting pilot shortages in future. There is opportunity for jobs and careers in aviation now.
For more information, please email Nanci at [email protected] or call her at 905-838-1400 ext. 333.
If you're a woman involved in aviation in Canada, I would also encourage you to get in touch with Nanci Soldo at the newly-formed Women's Aviation Network.
In 2011, the Brampton Flying Club (BFC) identified the need to make a special effort to attract more women into the aviation industry. Only 6% of the members at the BFC are women and in fact only 6% of pilots in North America are women! There are few reasons, that we can see, that should prevent women from becoming pilots, flight instructors, aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs), aviation managers or business owners. The industry is predicting pilot shortages in future. There is opportunity for jobs and careers in aviation now.
For more information, please email Nanci at [email protected] or call her at 905-838-1400 ext. 333.
For more information on Roberta and the award, please click here.
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The Elsie MacGill Northern Lights Award is given to a woman who has made a significant contribution to aviation and aerospace over an extended period of time and is a role model who inspires and motivates other women.
Roberta Taylor began her career as a commercial bush pilot in Northwestern Ontario. She has been an aircraft operations manager, air search and rescue pilot and fire patrol pilot in the Canadian Rockies, and served as ferry pilot and test pilot for the family aircraft business in Cranbrook, B.C. Roberta is actively engaged in a community project aimed at ensuring a safe operating environment for floatplanes, paddlers and rowers in the busy Post of Victoria. She continues to be a mentor for her peers and Students at the University of Victoria in B.C. |
They also suggest the following ways you can help celebrate women's history month:
- Get involved by taking a course or joining a club that celebrates some aspects of the history of women in the military.
- Learn more about the history of women in the military by reading a book, watching a documentary, movie, film or television program about a notable woman in Canadian military history.
- Tell others about the significance of women in the military by telling an interesting story, or by writing an article or a blog spot on the contributions and experiences of an outstanding woman.
- Interview local pioneering women who have made a significant difference in the military. You can build an oral history by recording your interview on audio or video.
- Participate in Women's History Month events and activities in your area and interact with your local community, work or school on the importance of women in the military.
- Support women's involvement and contributions in the military by honouring and commemorating a woman who has helped make history.
- Demonstrate your awareness of women's issues by engaging in conversations and letting others know what they can do to make a difference.
- Encourage young people to get involved in recognizing military women by developing a lesson, creating an exhibit, completing a project, staging in a play, or listening to a guest speaker talk about some of the outstanding contributions of women in Canadian military history.
- Discover your roots by investigating your family history and learning about the interesting military women in your family
- Visit a historical place associated with an interesting woman in the Canadian military.
- If you are in a book club, suggest that your group read a book by or about women in Canada's military.
Speaking of books, here are a few titles you might find interesting: