2024 Oklahoma Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day Luncheon

PRESENTED IN FRIENDSHIP WITH

ROSES AND WRENCHES: A Special Salute to Aircraft Technicians and Support Personnel

AN OKLAHOMA AIR BASE IS ALLOWING ACCESS TO REGISTERED VISITORS FOR A VERY SPECIAL EVENT HONORING OKLAHOMA WOMEN IN AVIATION AND AEROSPACE…GET YOUR TICKET TO WATCH HISTORY UNFOLD!

REGISTRATION AND PHOTO ID ARE REQUIRED AT THE GATE TO ENTER – MAKE PLANS TO ARRIVE EARLY AND EXPECT A LINE AT THE ENTRANCE – HAVE ID IN HAND

INVITATION TO ATTEND

Presented by Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology, we are thrilled to announce the eighth annual Oklahoma Women in Aviation & Aerospace Day and welcome you to join us in celebrating this empowering event. This year, in collaboration with the 138th Fighter Wing Air National Guard Wing (ANGW), Tulsa International Airport, the Oklahoma Air and Space Forces Association, Rose State College, Omni Aircraft Maintenance, and the Oklahoma Defense Industry Association, we will gather on Friday, December 6, 2024, at the base for a day of inspiration and recognition.

Oklahoma’s aerospace and aviation industry is not only the second-largest and fastest-growing in the state, but it’s also a key driver of innovation and economic impact, contributing $44 billion annually. The demand for a skilled and diverse workforce has never been greater. Reflecting this, our theme for the year pays tribute to the unsung heroes of our industry—the aircraft mechanics and technicians who keep America flying—and to the iconic Rosie the Riveter, whose rallying cry of “We Can Do It!” has inspired generations. Today, we’re expanding that message to “Everyone Can Do It!”—because in the modern aviation industry, there is a place for each and every one.

Just as Rosie symbolized strength, determination, and the vital role women played in building the nation, we aim to shine a light on the critical workforce needs in aviation. This year’s event will feature a luncheon, a keynote address, and a panel discussion that not only honors the women who have shaped aerospace but also inspires the next generation to seize the vast opportunities in this dynamic field. Women are leading the charge in this exciting transformation—turning wrenches, engineering avionics, piloting rockets, and charting the course for commercial space flight.

Join us as we salute the incredible contributions women have made to aviation in Oklahoma and beyond, as we continue to propel our industry into the future—because when it comes to shaping the skies, Everyone Can Do It!

GET TICKETS NOW 

H ISTORY OF THE EVENT

The history of Oklahoma Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day began with an effort by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics in 2017 when the former Aeronautics Commission presented a bill to the Oklahoma legislature (SB 230), and it was enacted into law, to officially recognize the contribution of Oklahoma women in the State’s aviation and aerospace industry, on December 9th, annually.

The date marks the birth of the famous Chickasaw aviator, Pearl Carter Scott, of Marlow, Oklahoma. Scott learned to fly at the age of 13 under legendary aviator Wiley Post. She became the youngest pilot in the United States with her first solo flight on September 12, 1929, the same year that Amelia Earhart established the female pilot group, the Ninety-Nines.

2024 OKLAHOMA WOMEN IN AVIATION AND AEROSPACE DAY KEYNOTE SPEAKER

COLONEL (RET) NICOLE MALACHOWSKI

Nicole Malachowski is a combat veteran, the first woman pilot on the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, a White House Fellow and an inductee into both the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame.

Malachowski’s 21-year Air Force career came to an end when an illness left her struggling to speak or walk for almost nine months. Drawing on stories from her life, Malachowski will speak at this year’s event on how to successfully navigate change, adversity and the unknown to lead through times of crisis. We welcome the incredible Nicole Malachowski.

BIOGRAPHY

A 2019 National Women’s Hall of Fame inductee and recent Presidential appointee, Colonel Nicole M. E. Malachowski (USAF, Ret.) has over 21 years of experience as an officer, leader, and fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. Upon her commission into the military, she was competitively selected to fly combat aircraft and embarked on an adventure among the first group of women to fly modern fighter jets. Nicole served as a mission ready fighter pilot in three operational F-15E squadrons and accumulated over 2,300 flight hours, including 188 hours in combat. She has had the honor of commanding a fighter squadron, flying as a USAF Thunderbird pilot, serving as a White House Fellow and as an advisor to the First Lady of the United States.

Nicole has forged a successful path through immense cultural changes in the military as well as significant adversity in her personal life. Following her medical retirement from the Air Force due to the severe impacts of late – stage Tick Borne Illness, Nicole reinvented herself as a highly successful entrepreneur, professional speaker, and leadership consultant. She’s been happily married to her husband Paul, an Air Force veteran, for over 22 years.

When not hurriedly chasing their thirteen – year – old twins around, she finds immense meaning in traveling and advocating for those impacted by Tick Borne Illnesses.

(©️ 2024 Nicole Malachowski & Associates, LLC – All Rights Reserved)

2024 OKLAHOMA WOMEN IN AVIATION AND AEROSPACE DAY CELEBRITY EMCEE
KELLIE HUDSON

Air Boss: Kellie Hudson was born and raised in Houston, Texas. Kellie joined the Air Force in 1996 and served 20 years as an Air Force Air Traffic Controller, retiring from Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada where she still resides with her family.

After retirement, she served as a contract civilian Air Traffic Controller and as an Operations Manager for Amazon’s largest Fulfillment Center in Nevada. She has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle and has a Master’s Degree in Business Leadership from Grand Canyon University.

Kellie began her involvement in airshows in 1997, supporting aircrew hospitality and ground operations roles. In 2018, she began her Air Boss journey being mentored by some of the finest air show air bosses in the industry. Since then, Kellie has controlled more than 30 aerial events in 15 different states.

Kellie is not only just an air boss, but has also produced and developed new airshows & events from the ground up, writing FAA applications and waivers along with developing Incident Action Plans for aerial events.

Her reputation has invited Kellie to be contracted to support some of the world’s most prestigious events, including air traffic control at the Super Bowl, Final Four, and Burning Man®.

GET THE OFFICIAL T-SHIRT!

Bring $25 cash to support the Oklahoma Chapter of 99s and collect the official 2024 Oklahoma Women in Aviation and Aerospace Day t-shirt. T-shirt sales will begin at 10 am in the main hangar and will conclude at 1:30 pm.

MADE POSSIBLE FOR THE 8TH YEAR THROUGH OUR DEDICATED PARTNERS:

Thank you to our valued community partners including AAR Corporation, Acorn Capital Management, Air and Space Forces Association, American Airlines , Ardmore Development Authority, Aviation Training Consulting, LLC, Atlantic Aviation, CareerTech, Critical Components, Consolidated Turbine Specialists, Delta Airport Consultants, FAA Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, First Mate Financial Advisors, FlightSafety International , Garver , Gordon Cooper Technology Center, HNTB, Jones PR, Krato’s Defense, KSA, L3 Harris – VIP Reception Sponsor, Leidos, Lochner, Lufthansa Technik North America Holding Corp., MidAmerica Industrial Park , Mint Turbines, NORDAM, Northrop Grumman, Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense Innovation Institute, Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research & Education, Oklahoma Airport Operators Association, Oklahoma City Innovation District, Oklahoma Defense Industry Association, Oklahoma Department of Commerce ACES Program, Olsson, OMADA International, Omni Aircraft Maintenance- Firehouse Panel Sponsor, OU College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences, Parkhill, Pratt & Whitney, Ready 3, Rose State College – Student Experience Event Sponsor, Spartan College – PRESENTING SPONSOR, Spirit AeroSystems, Sundance Airport, Stillwater Regional Airport , Tulsa Air & Space Museum – Hangar Experience Sponsor, Tinker Federal Credit Union, Tulsa Innovation District, Tulsa International Airport, and the Transport Workers Union of America, Local 514, and Tulsa Innovation Labs. We know many more of the aerospace and aviation companies and organizations will be added to this list in support! Please contact Katelyn Wade at katelyn.wade@aerospace.ok.gov to visit about community partner opportunities.

AGENDA

9:30 am – Registration Opens

10:00 -11:00 am

COMMUNITY PARTNERS PRIVATE RECEPTION

FLIGHTLINE BREAKOUT PANEL, “AOPA YOU CAN FLY STUDENTS”

10:30 am-11:45 am

Static Displays, Booth activities, flight simulators, recruiters, 99s t-shirt sales, coffee, and donuts

11:30 am

Lunch Program Begins with Keynote Speaker Col. (Ret.) Nicole Malachowski

1:30 pm

Adjournment

Rose State College, located in Midwest City, Oklahoma, is a dynamic community college dedicated to empowering students through cost-efficient and high-quality education. With a wide range of associate degree and certificate programs, micro-credentials, and RSC’s first bachelor’s degree, Rose State provides students with the knowledge and skills needed for today’s competitive job market. Known for its welcoming campus, supportive faculty, and strong commitment to student success, Rose State College is a place where students can achieve their academic and career goals while contributing to the growth and innovation of today’s workforce.

REGISTRATION, A BACKGROUND CHECK PROVIDED BY THE INSTALLATION AND PHOTO ID ARE REQUIRED

SECURITY:

Please ensure that everyone 18 years old or over has a State/Federal identification card that can be used to match with our Entry Authority List when entering the installation.

The name on the ticket purchased must be presented with photo identification to security forces at the gate of the 138th Special Operations Wing. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. There will be no ticket substitutions after five days prior to the event. If you are not able to attend and would like to donate your ticket to another person on the waiting list, please email your name and the name the ticket was purchased under and someone from the waitlist will be assigned your ticket. For more information contact Sandra Shelton at sandra.shelton@aerospace.ok.gov.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

This is a public event. With ticket purchase, event organizers have permission to use the likeness of any person and/or products exhibited in photographs and in any and all other media, whether now known or hereafter existing. The attendee waives the right to inspect or approve the finished product, including written or electronic copy. Additionally, all rights to royalties or other compensation arising or related to the use of the photograph are waived by the attendee.