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Women in Aerospace, 515 2nd Street NE, Washington D.C., DC (2026)

09/08/2026

For this week’s , we celebrate Dr. Janet Kavandi, engineer, astronaut, and former director of the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, whose achievements paved the way for women to more commonly have the opportunity to become astronauts and leaders within aerospace.

Starting at a small farm within Cassville, Missouri, Janet’s interest in space began in the 1960s. She admired the night sky along with discussing the space activities of the U.S. with her father. After diving head first into her education, she earned a bachelor's and master’s in chemistry within Missouri. She then worked as an engineer while earning her doctorate at the University of Washington.

Kavandi joined NASA's astronaut corps in 1994. After, she became a mission specialist on numerous NASA missions. Kavandi also worked in different roles within the Johnson Space Center (JSC) during the 2000s. She became director for Flight Crew Operations where she helped select new astronauts, and held other titles afterward as well.

After many years working with JSC, Kavandi was appointed as deputy director at NASA Glenn under Jim Free in February 2015. Kavandi’s new duties included planning, organizing, and managing the agency-level programs and projects assigned to the center.

Dr. Janet Kavandi has earned a Presidential Rank Award, NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal, two NASA Outstanding Leadership Medals, two Exceptional Service Medals, and three NASA Space Flight Medals. She rightfully earned her place in history through hard work and determination.

Written by Sofia Sims

09/02/2026

Registration is OPEN!

Join Women in Aerospace for our 41st Annual Awards Dinner & Ceremony on December 10, 2026, at the beautiful Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City in Arlington, VA!

Celebrate the outstanding individuals making a difference across the aerospace community and be among the first to learn who will be honored as the 2026 WIA Award Recipients - details to be announced soon! ✨

🎟️ Register today: https://www.womeninaerospace.org/secure/awards.html

🌟 Interested in sponsoring the Awards Dinner? We have sponsorship opportunities available and would love to have your organization join us in celebrating this year's honorees. Contact us at [email protected] to learn more.

We look forward to celebrating with you on December 10! 🚀

09/01/2026

For this week’s , we celebrate Anne Morrow Lindbergh, a pioneering aviator, author, and aviation advocate whose achievements helped expand the role of women in early aviation.

Anne first became interested in aviation through her husband, Charles Lindbergh, but she soon established an impressive aviation career of her own. In 1930, she earned her glider pilot’s license and later became a licensed airplane pilot, embracing the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving era of flight.

In 1933, Anne and Charles embarked on a landmark aerial expedition across the North Atlantic, flying from New York to Greenland, Iceland, Denmark, and onward to Europe. Anne served as co-pilot, navigator, radio operator, and photographer, demonstrating the technical skill and endurance required for long-distance aviation. She became the first woman to receive the U.S. National Geographic Society’s Hubbard Medal, recognizing the expedition's accomplishments.

Anne continued flying with Charles on surveying and exploration missions throughout the 1930s. Together, they traveled extensively throughout Asia and the Pacific, helping map potential commercial air routes and gathering information that contributed to the development of international aviation.

Beyond her accomplishments in the cockpit, Anne became an influential writer and thinker. Her 1955 book, Gift from the Sea, became a widely celebrated reflection on women's lives, identity, and the balance between personal and professional aspirations. She also wrote extensively about aviation, exploration, family, and the changing role of women in society.

08/25/2026

For this week’s , we celebrate Dr. Vera Rubin, a pioneering astronomer whose groundbreaking observations provided compelling evidence for dark matter and transformed our understanding of the universe.

Vera developed a fascination with astronomy as a young girl in Washington, D.C. At just 14, she built her own telescope and began tracking the stars. She went on to earn degrees from Vassar College, Cornell University, and Georgetown University, where she received her Ph.D. in astronomy in 1954.

Despite facing significant barriers as a woman in science, Vera built a remarkable career. In 1965, she became the first woman staff scientist at the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism at the Carnegie Institution, where she would conduct much of her most influential research.

Working with astronomer Kent Ford, Vera studied the rotation of spiral galaxies, including Andromeda. Scientists expected stars farther from a galaxy's center to orbit more slowly. Instead, Vera's observations showed that stars at the outer edges were moving at surprisingly high speeds. The evidence suggested that galaxies contained far more mass than could be seen, pointing to the existence of dark matter.

Her observations helped transform dark matter from a largely theoretical concept into a central part of modern astrophysics. Today, scientists estimate that dark matter accounts for more than 80% of the universe's matter.

Vera was also a passionate advocate for women in science. She challenged institutions that excluded women and encouraged young women to pursue careers in astronomy and research. Her scientific achievements earned her the National Medal of Science, election to the National Academy of Sciences, and the Royal Astronomical Society's Gold Medal.

Her legacy continues through the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, named in her honor. The observatory is designed to study billions of astronomical objects and help scientists explore some of the universe's greatest mysteries.

08/11/2026

For this week’s , we celebrate Maria Mitchell, a pioneering astronomer, educator, and advocate who helped open the doors of science to generations of women.

Born in Nantucket in 1818, Maria developed a passion for astronomy at an early age. Her father, an astronomer and teacher, encouraged her interest in mathematics, astronomy, navigation, and scientific observation. By age 12, Maria was helping him calculate the timing of a solar eclipse, and as a young woman, she became skilled at rating ships’ chronometers for Nantucket’s maritime community.

In 1847, Maria made the discovery that would establish her place in astronomical history. While observing the night sky from the roof of the Pacific National Bank in Nantucket, she discovered a new telescopic comet. The discovery earned her an international gold medal from King Frederick VI of Denmark and made her the first American woman to gain international recognition as a professional astronomer.

Maria continued breaking barriers throughout her career. In 1865, she became the first professor of astronomy at Vassar College and the first woman on Vassar’s faculty. At the college, she taught students through hands-on observation and research, encouraging them to engage directly with astronomy rather than simply study it from textbooks.

Her students went on to make their own contributions to science, including astronomers Antonia Maury and Mary Whitney. Maria was deeply committed to expanding opportunities for women in science and advocated for equal pay, education, and women's rights. She was also the first woman elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

08/05/2026

Save the Date for this year's WIA Awards Dinner & Ceremony on December 10th!

Mark your calendar now and plan to be part of one of the aerospace community's premier evenings of recognition, networking, and inspiration.

✨ Sponsorship opportunities and registration details will be available soon. Stay tuned!

08/04/2026

For this week’s , we celebrate Patti Grace Smith, a visionary leader whose work helped transform the commercial space industry and expand opportunities for future generations of aerospace professionals.

Patti earned a degree in broadcast journalism from Mississippi State University before beginning a remarkable career in aviation and aerospace. She held leadership positions at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), where she became the first African American to serve as Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.

During her tenure, Patti played a pivotal role in developing the regulatory framework that enabled the rapid growth of the U.S. commercial space industry. She worked closely with government agencies and private companies to create policies that balanced public safety with innovation, helping pave the way for the commercial launch industry we know today. Her leadership supported the early growth of companies that would shape the future of spaceflight and commercial access to space.

Following her government service, Patti founded Patti Grace Smith Consulting, where she continued advising organizations on commercial space policy, regulatory strategy, and industry development. She was also a dedicated mentor, using her platform to encourage young people, especially women and underrepresented minorities, to pursue careers in aerospace.

Today, her legacy lives on through the Patti Grace Smith Fellowship, which provides internships, mentorship, and career development opportunities for Black students pursuing careers in aerospace. The fellowship continues her lifelong commitment to creating a more inclusive and innovative space industry.

07/28/2026

For this week’s , we celebrate Wanda Díaz-Merced, an astrophysicist whose groundbreaking work is transforming how we explore the universe and making science more accessible for everyone.

After losing her eyesight in her early twenties due to diabetic retinopathy, Wanda refused to let that end her scientific career. Instead, she pioneered the use of data sonification, a technique that converts astronomical data into sound, allowing researchers to "hear" patterns that might otherwise go unnoticed. Her work has not only expanded opportunities for blind and visually impaired scientists but has also demonstrated that sonification can provide valuable insights for the broader scientific community.

Throughout her career, Wanda has collaborated with leading institutions, including NASA, the European Space Agency, and the South African Astronomical Observatory. Her research has focused on high-energy astrophysics, including gamma-ray bursts and other cosmic phenomena, while advancing more inclusive approaches to scientific discovery.

Beyond her research, Wanda is a passionate advocate for accessibility in STEM. Through lectures, workshops, and international collaborations, she has championed the idea that innovation flourishes when science is accessible to people of all abilities. Her work continues to inspire researchers around the world to rethink how scientific data can be analyzed and shared.

07/27/2026

🚨 Today is the deadline!

There's still time to recognize the leaders, innovators, mentors, and advocates who are making a lasting impact on the aerospace community.

Today is your final opportunity to submit a nomination for the 2026 Women in Aerospace Awards. If someone has inspired you, championed others, or helped advance our industry, don't let the day pass without recognizing their contributions.

With up to seven awards to be presented this year, help us celebrate the individuals shaping the future of aerospace.

⏰ Nominations will be accepted through the end of today, Monday, July 27.

🔗 Submit your nomination now: https://www.womeninaerospace.org/events/awards/nomination.html

07/22/2026

🚨 Just 5 days remain to submit a nomination for the 2026 Women in Aerospace Awards!

Behind every advancement in aerospace are leaders, innovators, mentors, and advocates whose work deserves to be recognized. If someone has inspired you, championed others, or made a meaningful impact on our industry, now is the time to nominate them.

With up to seven awards to be presented this year, don't miss the opportunity to celebrate those helping shape the future of aerospace.

📅 Nominations close Monday, July 27.

🔗 Submit a nomination today: https://www.womeninaerospace.org/events/awards/nomination.html

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