We lift others as we climb; to believe, achieve, succeed, and lead in aviation and aerospace.
Photo: Sian Proctor, Ph.D. | Astronaut, Artist, Geoscience Professor
We believe that cultivating the innovation, talent and leadership of women is critical for the successful future of aviation and aerospace. We celebrate extraordinary achievements. We educate through scholarships. We inspire through mentorship and networking.
It is more important than ever to support talented women thriving and advancing in this amazing industry. We are joining forces and collaborating with others to make that happen and give back to the industry we love.
Featured Grand Dame
Anna Hern
Part 121 FedEx Pilot, Grand Dame, Endurance Athlete
Anna Hern is an international FedEx Express pilot flying the Boeing 777 and a B777 LCA line check airman. She is part of the small percentage of women airline captains worldwide — fewer than 1.5% of FAA Part 121 captains. Her flights involve multiple countries over 10–14 day trips, giving her a unique perspective on global aviation.
Outside the cockpit, Anna is an endurance athlete, competing in marathons, ultramarathons, Ironman races, and mountaineering, including summiting Cayambe (18,996’), Cotopaxi (19,347’), and Chimborazo (20,549’) in Ecuador. She and her husband, a Lt. Colonel and A-10 pilot in the USAF Reserves and Boeing 757 First Officer, have a seven-year-old son.
Join us on May 12th at 5:00 PM ET for our Grand Dames May Zoom as we celebrate this year’s theme: Wings, Wit & Wisdom: Motherhood in Aviation
Some conversations stay with you long after they end. This is one of them. We invite you to a special Grand Dames of Aviation mentorship event featuring five accomplished aviators and STEM professionals sharing an honest, unfiltered 90-minute conversation about navigating motherhood and aviation careers across military, airline, instructional, and humanitarian flying.
This mentorship session is open exclusively to registered Grand Dames and Aspiring Dames members.
✨ Featured Mentorship Panel
Cyndhi Berwyn — FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, pioneering military aviator
Christine “Grinder” Kelley — First F-35 female pilot
Grand Dames Founding Board Executive Secretary Caroline “Blaze” Jensen — Thunderbirds pilot, combat veteran, author of Thundermouse
Christie Meyers — Airline pilot, instructor, aviation nonprofit leader
Cherry K. — Commercial pilot, technical writer, Wings of Change Scholarship recipient
💙 What You’ll Hear: Real stories. Real challenges. Real victories. From cockpit to classroom, from deployment to daycare, these women will share what it means to build a life in aviation without stepping away from family, ambition, or identity.
✈️ Membership Required: Access to this mentorship event, visit our membership page, and then make sure to register with your membership number!
🌟 Join Us! This is more than an event. It is a conversation that redefines what is possible.
Registration - https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/grand-dames-mentorship-circle-wings-wit-and-wisdom-motherhood-in-aviation
Featured Dames Gallery
“My ambition is to have this wonderful gift produce practical results for the future of commercial flying and for the women who may want to fly tomorrow’s planes.”
— Amelia Earhart