Dr. Barbara Gruber serves as the leader of Education and Public Outreach at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. With a fervent dedication to equity and inclusion in STEAM and Aviation fields, she tirelessly advocates for expanded opportunities for underrepresented communities. She designed, put together, and ran a novel aviation summer camp at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum for disadvantaged middle school students in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area called "S.H.E (Soar High Explorers) Can STEAM" Camp.

This initiative is focused on the impressionable middle school years when students, particularly girls, are exploring career options and teachers can shape student confidence and skills in STEAM. Through the activities of the camp, Barbara made a difference by empowering these students to seek and succeed in science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines.

In its first year, 2018, the S.H.E. Can STEAM summer camp gave 57 middle school students the chance to experience hands-on flight instruction on FAA-certified simulators, a 30-minute discovery flight with a local flight school, a high-altitude weather balloon launch to study the atmosphere, and an indoor skydiving experience. The campers met with women from a variety of aviation career fields, such as air traffic control, cyber security, and commercial aviation.

  She did all the research to choose the appropriate flight simulators, acquired the simulators and provided technical support as needed. Barbara furthermore organized all the activities and design challenges. The two-week camp activities included launching model rockets, touring FAA air traffic control facilities like Dulles Tower, Potomac Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON), and the Air Traffic Control System Command Center (ATCSCC) and visiting an aircraft mechanic school.

Barbara went above and beyond for her campers as she even used her kayak to rescue a camper's instruments when her weather balloon landed in the river!

The camp was clearly a success, as it was repeated the next year with 60 campers. In the four years of camp, the camp has hosted 378 campers. Drawing from her rich background as a former Assistant Director of Education at the National Air and Space Museum, alongside her pursuit as a student pilot, Dr. Gruber embodies a commitment to inspiring and empowering diverse voices in the realms of science, exploration and aviation.

"I was born into a family of aviators and was lucky to have great role models in my parents and grandparents. I want to build on this heritage and inspire others. My aim is to encourage girls and young women to pursue their dreams and promote aviation and STEM-related careers (science, technology, engi- neering, mathematics) for them."

"With my flight I want to show young women that they can be bold, ambitious and make their dreams come true."

Nineteen-year-old Belgian-British pilot Zara Rutherford announced her intention to become the youngest female pilot to fly solo around the world at a news conference in Popham Airfield near Winchester on July 26, 2021, having earned her pilot's license only the year before. In pursuit of her goal, she set out from Belgium on August 18 on a 32,000-mile journey west, flying a Shark ultralight, a single-engine low-wing aircraft. Her flight was supposed to take three months, but extreme weather and visa issues kept her grounded sometimes for weeks on end, including month-long stays in Alaska and Russia, extending her trip by about two months. She arrived at Kortrijk, Belgium, on January 20, 2022, 155 days after she departed. Her journey included more than sixty stops across five continents.

Zara dedicated this record-breaking accomplishment to all the young women trying to succeed in fields in which women are still under-represented. She hopes to infuse young women and girls worldwide with the spirit of aviation and enthusiasm for studying science, mathematics, engineering, and technology. Zara is a member of the British Section of The Ninety-Nines.

This year's recipient of the President's Award is one of The Ninety-Nines, Inc.'s most distinguished programs. The dedicated members who have participated and driven this program forward over the years have generously invested their personal time and energy to enhance the success of fellow members.

Twenty years ago, the 99s Professional Pilot Leadership Initiative (PPLI) was launched to provide structured mentoring and career development for 99s members aiming for professional pilot careers and to develop future aviation leaders.

Conceived in 2003 by Jenny Beatty and Laura Smith, the idea for PPLI began after Jenny's presentation at The Ninety-Nines annual conference. Laura's question about a mentoring program sparked their collaboration, leading to the creation of PPLI. This program benefits commercially licensed women pilots pursuing professional careers by providing structured mentoring relationships. Participants commit to the program for 18 to 24 months, receiving and giving mentoring guidance.

Over the past two decades, PPLI has been enriched by the expertise of over 75 women pilot leaders, all 99s, from diverse aviation sectors. These mentors, hailing from the airline, military, corporate, government, and general aviation sectors, generously volunteer their time to share their knowledge and experience, helping mentees accelerate their career development through personalized mentoring.

The core goals and structure of PPLI have remained unchanged. Since 2007, all team leads have been PPLI graduates, demonstrating the program's success and commitment to nurturing future aviation leaders. Graduates develop leadership, managerial, and organizational skills while contributing to the 99s and the aviation community.

A past team lead emphasized the importance of leadership, noting that corporations seek future captains, not just first officers. Participants spend one to four hours monthly on self-directed leadership activities, learning by doing.

Today, over 200 PPLI graduates from 15 nations and various U.S. and Canadian 99s' Sections are making significant strides in their aviation careers. They hold leadership positions as captains at major airlines, corporate pilots, test pilots, airline operations managers, and more, a testament to the transformative power of PPLI.

PPLI will continue to be the world's premier mentoring program for 99s leaders in aviation

Jean "Sunny" Schiffmann (1924-2020) dedicated her life to excellence in aviation. Her involvement and leadership in The Ninety-Nines weaves throughout her aviation career, influencing women through her wisdom, strength of character, steady and patient manner, joyful involvement, and remarkable good humor.

As a teen, Jean Marilyn Larson forged a new outlook for herself - "Sunny". She learned shorthand and typing in high school, Morse code from her brother, leading to aviation radio and weather work for the CAA 1943-1950.

Her experiences flying during this time gave her a sense of peace and wonder "leaving problems down below". She married Pat Schiffmann, pilot and co- worker in the CAA. She received her private pilot ASEL in October 1950.

After raising four sons into high school, she began air racing, including 50+ Transcontinental and Palms to Pines races, winning her last race at age 82!

Jean shared her joy of flying with others. In 1972, she was an Amelia Earhart Scholarship recipient. From 1973 to 1991 she was a full-time flight instructor. Her other ratings include multi- engine AMEL, commercial, sea plane and CFI-I.

Jean joined the Long Beach CA 99s in 1968, holding offices every year through 1991, including two terms as Chairman. She served as Accident Prevention Counselor for the Long Beach FSDO 1977-1991, receiving a FAA Certificate of Competency in 1978. She gave numerous aviation safety talks for the FAA, 99s, Lion's Club, and flying clubs. Jean conducted ground school training for Girl Scouts. In 1987, she was awarded the "FAA Administrator's Award for Excellence in Aviation Education".

In 1993, Jean joined the Columbia Cascade chapter of the 99s, serving in various offices and writing the "Jean-O-Gram" newsletter column. She coached Chapter pilots to try new endeavors, including obtaining instrument ratings, starting Part 135 operations, and flying the Palms to Pines race. She helped author the "Flying Companion Seminar" Oregon Air Fair 1994 and spoke at many FCS seminars, local WA schools, JROTC and Boy Scouts. She gave 50+ EAA Young Eagle rides. In 1996, she was a 99s Northwest Section Achievement Award winner. In 2007, Jean received the FAA Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.

James "Jim" Riviere, Jr. was born and raised in South Louisiana. His father was responsible for his love for aviation. Jim became a Private Pilot in 1973 after graduating from LSU and has owned several aircraft through the years.

After joining the EAA in 1975, he then:

• Served as President of the New Orleans EAA Chapter in the late 70's
• Chartered and became the first President of the Louisiana State EAA Chapter in the early 80's
• Organized the Louisiana Fly-in Series in 1983 which consisted of 10-12 fly-ins held at several airports by EAA Chapters. The series continued for over 18 years.
• Served as Southeastern US Representative on the EAA Chapter Executive Committee that raised funds to move the headquarters to Oshkosh in the mid-80's.
• Received the EAA President's Award from Paul Poberezny in 1986.

Jim is also an AOPA member/ASN Volunteer and Charter member of two Wings of the Commemorative Air Force.

Jim's sport aviation volunteer work led him to realize that more needed to be done to promote all areas of Louisiana aviation. So then he:

• Worked with Louisiana aviation leaders to start the Aviation Association of Louisiana serving as a Charter Member and Board Member. The group was able to introduce a constitutional amendment that dedicated aviation fuel taxes for aviation purposes which were formerly going to general state budget areas. This resulted in hundreds of millions of tax dollars being dedicated to airport improvements.
• Developed an information web page called LaAviator.com after retiring in 2010 to keep the entire Louisiana Aviation community informed about news, events, and classifieds. He also added a Facebook page and sends two news emails a week to 1700 subscribers.

In recognition of his "decades of aviation promotion and advocacy", Jim was inducted into the International Forest of Friendship in Atchison, KS, in 2018.

The National Aeronautic Association is thrilled to announce that Theresa Claiborne is the 2024 Katharine Wright Trophy recipient.

"Theresa is a courageous role model who overcame racial and gender barriers to start her career as the first black woman qualified as a Air Force pilot, KC-135 pilot, and Air Force flight instructor. She recently ended her commercial flying career with over 23,000 flight hours as one of the first black women commercial airline Captains," said Amy Spowart, NAA President and CEO. "Theresa's very essence motivates and inspires others. At her core, she embodies Katharine Wright as a person who contributes to the success of others."

Claiborne's flying journey began as an Air Force ROTC cadet, influenced by the incredible legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and motivated by a T-37B familiarization flight at age 20. Despite the hurdles she faced, including those based on gender, race, and height, Claiborne's unwavering determination guided her groundbreaking accomplishment as the first black female Air Force pilot.

Claiborne said, reflecting on the experience, "I didn't know I was going to be the first until the end, and I'm glad because that's a lot of pressure for a 23-year-old." 

 "When Theresa arrived at Laughlin Air Force Base in 1981, flight instructors doubted her ability to operate the T-38 jet trainer and made her do a full military power run-up to prove she could hold the brakes of a jet she had no previous training in. She, determined as ever, excelled in the aircraft and became the first-ever black woman pilot in the Air Force," said Caroline "Blaze" Jensen, Claiborne's nominator and fellow Airman. "Theresa graduated September 16, 1982, without any mention of her trail-blazing achievement at the graduation ceremony, Theresa's mother proudly pinned her silver wings to her chest. She was inspiring then and continues to motivate others now." 

Claiborne transitioned to the U.S. Air Force Reserve in 1988, and began a career in commercial aviation in 1990, during which she became the first black female to earn the captain position of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. After 34 years at United, her recent retirement marks a journey that has impacted the lives of thousands of pilots, including hundreds of females. In 2016, Claiborne joined other black female pilots to found Sisters of the Skies (SOS), a non-profit that serves as a steppingstone from dreams to reality for women of color who encounter barriers entering the field.

Claiborne shared that she tells her mentees, "Eyes on the prize. A dream is just a dream; make it a goal and achieve it!"

"Theresa Claiborne's recognition as the 2024 K. Wright Trophy recipient is a testament to her remarkable career and significant contributions to the aviation industry," added Spowart.

The NAA's prestigious Katharine Wright Memorial Trophy was established in 1981 by the Gates-Learjet Corporation. It is awarded annually in partnership with the Ninety-Nines, International Organization of Women Pilots, to an individual who has contributed to the success of others and has made a personal contribution to the advancement of the art, sport, and science of aviation and space flight over an extended period.