I founded the Women in Aviation International, Daytona Beach Chapter in 2021 after graduating from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2020. At the time, the only local chapter in the area was the Embry-Riddle chapter, which was limited to current students. After graduating and beginning my career, I realized there were very few opportunities for women outside the university to connect with the aviation community through Women in Aviation International.


Florida is arguably the flight training capital of the United States, yet in East Central Florida there was little representation or organized community for women across the many sectors of aviation who wanted to become involved. I started the chapter to help fill that gap by creating a place where women of all backgrounds in aviation could connect, support one another, and stay engaged in the industry beyond the university environment.


From the beginning, one of my goals for the chapter was to help provide resources and scholarship opportunities for women pursuing careers in aviation. It has been incredibly rewarding to see that goal become a reality as the chapter has grown.


During the earliest stages of building the chapter, I met Vanesa Miksa, who became involved early on and helped guide the organization through its formative years. She continues to play an important role in leading and growing the chapter today.


The chapter’s early growth was also made possible through the support of Erika Estrada. Through her management role at Sheltair in Daytona, she was instrumental in the start of the chapter by hosting our meetings and continuing to support our annual Girls in Aviation Day event each year. Having a consistent and welcoming place to gather was critical in helping the chapter establish itself in the community.
Founding this chapter has been one of the most meaningful ways I have been able to contribute to the aviation community. I am incredibly proud of what the chapter has become today and look forward to watching it continue to grow and to seeing what its members accomplish in the years ahead.

 Rebecca Bonney - WAI DAB Founder