Open Jaw walked the red carpet at the 15th annual Northern Lights Awards Gala honouring Canadian women in aviation.
The sold-out soiree was held at the Toronto Pearson Convention Centre on 05OCT.
With a contagious energy, the ballroom buzzed with female aviators and airline representatives. Open Jaw's Natasha McKenty joined guests from all walks of aviation and aerospace for an awe-inspiring evening hosted by the Northern Lights Aero Foundation (NLAF).
NLAF was established in 2009 by Anna Pangrazzi, president at Apex Aircraft Sales Ltd. and a select group of women pilots.
The foundation takes its cue from the Elsie MacGill Awards dinner, celebrating the world’s first female aircraft designer. Born in Vancouver, B.C., Elsie MacGill designed the Maple Leaf II and played an instrumental role in the production of the Hawker Hurricane in Canada during World War II.
"Our consistent goal has been to spotlight the accomplishments of women in aviation, inspiring young women," Pangrazzi told Open Jaw.
Each year, the judging panel is tasked with sifting through an overwhelming list of passionate and accomplished nominees.
"We believe we're setting the foundation for a diverse industry future," said Pangrazzi.
Judging by the inspiring narratives presented on stage each year, the event is certainly achieving its goal.
Inside the Flight Deck
An event like this takes us behind the locked doors of the flight deck, where we witness the passion that thrives. We hear tales of dedication, bravery, and camaraderie - of women lifting each other up in an attempt to reach the sky.
The stories that unfold are often unseen and underappreciated.
Spending an evening in the presence of women who dream of flying is a valuable reminder that the gift of travel and the ability to soar above the clouds lies in those who have dedicated their lives to becoming pilots.
Portering Gender Parity
Elizabeth Mitches, chief pilot at Porter Airlines, received the Flight Operations Award.
Mitches, through her role, leads over 300 pilots. Under her guidance, Porter has achieved gender parity. She has overseen the implementation and improvement of safety systems and is a Transport Canada-approved Check Pilot.
The night was breathtakingly motivational but not without humour. Mitches accepted her award with a timely, "Air Canada, Porter likes what you've done with the complimentary beverages."
As the audience settled after a burst of laughter, she continued, "A tremendous amount of work goes into this event every year, and it has a major impact on our industry."
Acknowledging her team at Porter, she said the airline (whose female pilot ratio is the highest in Canada) has supported her through her "greatest successes" and stood by her through her "greatest challenges."
Her message to future generations of aviators is, "Sometimes, when we set big goals for ourselves, especially when we may not look or act like the people who achieved those goals before us, it can feel lonely.
"But, take a look around this room tonight and all of the people in it. We're all rooting for you. There are many nights like this ahead of us."
Rising Star: Zoey Williams, Air Canada's First Black Female Pilot
Zoey Williams was presented with The Rising Star award. Her words, as impactful as her accolades, brought tears to the young girls in the room.
Williams is a Boeing 777 first officer at Air Canada.
The role of "first officer" exemplifies Williams, as she is also the first Black female pilot to operate the B777 at Air Canada and the first Black female pilot to join the airline.
Before she was able to drive a car, she began her flight training - under the wing of her father, who is also an Air Canada pilot.
Williams admits that her first flight nearly deterred her dream of becoming a pilot. The turbulence that day grounded her, and she considered not returning to the skies.
Despite this, she returned to her training and earned her Recreational Pilot license at 16.
Today, with several Aviation Degrees under her belt, she's on the Board of the Urban Pilots Network, where she mentors youth in urban communities about the opportunities in aviation.
Her long-time dream of co-piloting with her father, Air Canada Captain Orrett Williams, on a commercial flight recently came true onboard the airline's Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Toronto to Heathrow.
Air Canada Captain Orrett Williams and his daughter First Officer Zoey Williams share the flight deck for the first time as a father-daughter flight crew on AC857 from London to Toronto. Congratulations Williams family on this memorable flight!🛫🇬🇧🇨🇦🛬 #FatherDaughter pic.twitter.com/fadUtwbQPz
— Air Canada ALPA Pilots (@AirCanadaPilots) October 2, 2023
"My father is a trailblazer," she said.
"He has opened many doors for people of colour in Aviation. He is truly the shoulders I stand on and the reason I am able to do all the amazing things I do."
"I've had hard days. I've had doubts. And I have had times I've felt like giving up, although that doesn't make my final biography," she said.
Williams said she chooses to speak of the inevitable bad days so those who face them know they are not alone.
"I'm only here because I refuse to live in fear."
Describing the hurdles she faced, she said, "Even thought I was scared, I decided I could become a pilot."
Williams encourages those who have secured their careers in aviation to mentor and support the industry's future rising stars.
Earlier this year, she received the Recognition Award from The Dream Never Dies Foundation for outstanding service and dedication to youth education.
Williams has also authored a book titled "Go Where You Belong," aiming to inspire young minds to truly believe that if you dream it, "don't bury it," you can do it.
"Being a catalyst for change, is what I hope to be."
The highlight of the night is always the stories, there to remind us of the power of perseverance and the fulfillment of rooting for the narratives of those who fight for their dreams.
