Canadians win Amelia Earhart Scholarships

by Kathy Fox, Governor, E. Canada Section
About 99s E. Canada W. Canada Articles (Home) Stamps Home

L-R, Cindy Pang, Alexandra Kindrat, Kathy Fox and Dr. Karen Bailey

Two Canadians were awarded Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarships at the Ninety-Nines 2011 International Conference on Friday, July 15 in Oklahoma City.  
The Ninety-Nines is an international organization of licenced women pilots, with some 5,000 active members in 35 countries.  Our mission is to promote the advancement of aviation through education, scholarships, and mutual support while honoring our unique history and sharing our passion for flight.  Formed in 1929, the Ninety-Nines took its name from the number of founding members.  Our first president was Amelia Earhart.

Established in 1940 to help deserving members to further accomplishments, today the Amelia Earhart Scholarship fund exceeds $ 4 million and provides:
- Scholarships for licensed pilot members to advance in training and education in aviation and aerospace, including scholarships to complete additional pilot certificates and ratings, jet type ratings, college degrees and technical training.
- Research Scholar grants to add to the world's knowledge of women in aviation and aerospace
- New Pilot Awards of up to $ 1,500 towards completion of the recreational pilot, sport pilot or private pilot certificate

This year there were 24 scholarship recipients, including the two Canadians.

Alexandra Kindrat from the Montreal Chapter won an Academic scholarship to assist with her pursuit of a Master of Science in Space Studies.  Alexandra has been a pilot and 99 member since the age of f17.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiology, a Bachelor of Education in Science and Technology as well as a Master of Science in Neurology and Neurosurgery.  Along with her current doctoral studies in Montreal, she is pursuing research and NASA's Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas and is involved in studies being conducted on the International Space Station looking into the effects of space on the human brain.  As an educator in Montreal, and a Canadian Space Agency student ambassador, Alexandra continues to have an important role in sparking an interest in aerospace to future generations of enthusiasts.

Cindy Pang, currently the Chair of the British Columbia Coast Chapter, won an AE Scholarship to complete her Instructor rating.  Cindy was first introduced to aviation as a little girl in Hong Kong when her father brought home a battery operated B747.  She studied Fashion Design and worked as a Customer Service Agent for Air Canada in Vancouver.  Cindy obtained her Private Pilot Licence in 2005 and her Commercial Pilot Licence in 2006.  She recently soloes a C150 across Canada.  With the help of this scholarship, Cindy and pursue her dream of becoming a professional pilot.

I was very proud to be at the conference in Oklahoma City to see Alexandra and Cindy receive their scholarships.  Congratulations to these two inspiring women aviators.

If you would like more information about the Ninety-Nines including how to become a member, please contact us as follows:  http://www.ninety-nines.org/index.cfm/interested_in_joining.htm .

[Article published in the Sept. 2011 COPA Flight]    
About 99s E. Canada W. Canada Articles (Home) Stamps Home

Website email:  canadian99s@yahoo.ca