September 20 marked the 11th annual Girls in Aviation Day with events hosted by the California Capital Airshow and the Aerospace Museum of California that drew hundreds to learn about careers in aerospace.

An event held at Mather Airport (MHR) by the California Capital Airshow drew more than 500 young women and girls, according to a press release by the organization. The event featured a panel of six women with careers in aerospace and STEM related fields who took wide ranging questions from the audience.

The panel included C-5 pilot Capt. Brenda Chesteen, USAF, U-2 pilot Merryl Tengesdal, USAF (Ret.), Automotive Functional Safety Senior Member Melissa Uribe of Micron Technology, Boeing Project Management Specialist and Cost Account Manager Sydney Hamilton, Human Machine Collaboration Institute CEO Sadie St Lawrence, and Mountain Air Cargo Pilot Shelly Ann Gibran.

Taylor Toledo of Toledo Consulting facilitated the event themed “The Sky is Not the Limit.”

“We are so excited to be here today to celebrate Girls in Aviation Day at the STEM expo for the California Capital Airshow,” Toledo said. “Today’s programming is all about making sure girls and women know that they belong in STEM and aviation.”

Toledo called it “incredibly important” to encourage more girls and women to pursue careers in aerospace and technology fields, citing an industry shortage. A release by the California Capital Airshow says that although women make up about 47 percent of the national workforce on average, only two to three percent of aircraft mechanics and just six percent of all licensed pilots are women.

Tengesdal said the event is a way for her to relate to children who might need guidance and encouragement.

“I knew how I was when I was a kid, I was a hot mess,” Tengesdal said. “Did I ever think I would be in this position, no. But I’m glad that I’m in this position because I’ve lived some of the lives that they’ve lived, I’ve lived parts of those, and that’s the connection. I’m glad I’m able to help guide them on their journey.”

Although the event focuses on girls and women, organizers did not exclude boys from attending, the release said. California Capital Airshow Executive Director Darcy Brewer said the event is part of the organization’s year-round schedule of events and activities.

“The California Capital Airshow team, when we’re not having jets soar over the sky, this is how we use our time and these hangars to make sure that any little kid can see it, and then be it,” Brewer said.

A number of aircraft flew in to give attendees an up close look inside cockpits and a chance to talk to the pilots. Children were given the opportunity to peek inside the cockpit of a U-2 from Beale AFB, explore a UH-1H Super Huey from CalFire, as well as a Cessna 408 SkyCourier from FedEx.

A similar event at the Aerospace Museum of California also drew hundreds, according to a release by the organization. Dubbed “We Can Do It-Together,” the event was held on Sept. 24 and 25. 

Featured panelists at the museum were Linda Martin,President of the Museum Board of Trustees, FAA Air Traffic Controller Anastasia Long, Sacramento Police Sgt. Leah Antonetti, Gabrielle Mahlmann and Alexa Mendoza of St. Francis High School, FAA Air Traffic Controller Crystal Anderson, Communications Consultant Taylor Toledo, and General Alice Asatfan USAF Retired.