The NAA Katharine Wright Trophy

2025 – Kim Dell

For visionary and transformational leadership, groundbreaking work raising the standard of excellence in the air show industry and ensuring the industry’s financial viability in historically difficult times. View Press Release

2024 – Theresa Claiborne

For her ground-breaking accomplishment as the first Black female air force pilot, excelling in the commercial aviation industry, and her relentless passion for inspiring and enabling other women to achieve aviation goals. View Press Release

2023 – Julie Clark

For her significant contributions to the art and sport of aviation, the success of others and the promotion of aerospace education for more than a half-century. View Press Release

2022 – Jill R. Meyers

For her 40 years of dedication to the aerospace industry and her tireless commitment as a volunteer and role model, working to educate and inspire young girls around the globe. View Press Release

2021 – Major Eleanor Morgan

For her diverse contributions to military aviation, her research and development efforts supporting the advancement of human space exploration, her extensive youth STEM outreach, and her mentorship activities in support of women in aviation and space..

2020 – Dorothy Cochrane

For devoting over 40 years as a curator at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, collecting and preserving historical aviation artifacts that educate and inspire the general public about the importance of flight.

2019 – Barbara Walters-Phillips

For her career and contributions as a pilot, mentor, community advocate, and educator; inspiring countless youth and fellow teachers with her aviation education programs.

2018 – Anne Bridge Baddour

For her lifelong personal commitment to the advancement of all who pursue aviation careers and her tireless efforts in educating the aviation community and general public.

2017 – Major Chrystina Jones

For her commitment to encouraging women across the globe to pursue and succeed in aviation careers.

2016 – Priscilla (Pat) Blum

For her dedication to establishing and developing the Corporate Angel Network, a public benefit aviation charity which coordinates, manages, and arranges free air travel on business jets for cancer patients who need transportation to and from their specialized life-saving treatment centers.

2015 – Patricia Pearce

For dedicating over 28 years to advancing the state of the art in hypersonic propulsion systems and aerospace system fueling technology in addition to serving as a mentor for female engineers and students pursuing careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

2014 – Judith Bruner

For over 40 years of distinguished and historic contributions as one of the first female Naval Aviators, a pioneering research pilot, and a senior NASA technical leader.

2013 – Kim De Groh

For her tireless efforts and impact in mentoring young women for over two decades, and for her numerous technical achievements in the advancement of materials durability in the space environment.

2013 – Mary S. Feik

For pioneering aviation maintenance during World War II and for her sixty-year aviation career promoting aerospace education and inspiring generations of youth.

2012 – Captain Laura B. Easton, USAF

For her remarkable career as an Air Force Officer, pilot, leader, and role model for women in aviation.

2011 – Fran Bera

For a lifetime working in aviation, setting records, and mentoring young people; at 86, she is still flying and encouraging young pilots to attain their aviation goals.

2010 – Msgt Kimberly L. Muhlecke

For her expertise in the fields of physiology training, human performance training, altitude chamber training, endurance management, and U-2 pressure suit operations.

2009 – Donna Shirley

For her remarkable career as a pilot, NASA engineer, educator, and an inspiration to young women seeking engineering and technical careers.

2008 – Captain Karen Lee

For her steadfast vision in pioneering UPS Airlines’ leading, globally recognized, research and implementation of ADS-B technology that is transforming the national air transportation system.

2007 – Colonel Catherine A. Chilton

For her rigorous work in engineering, test, acquisition and policy to the advancement of air and space technology.

2006 – Annie Castor Glenn

For her tireless encouragement and inspiration to her husband throughout their Marine Corps, test pilot, space exploration and U.S. Senate service, making  a lasting contribution to aviation and space flight for more than six decades.

2005 – Patty Wagstaff

For her contributions to the advancement of the art, sport and science of aviation; especially for being a role model to women as one of the most skilled and recognized aerobatic pilots.

2004 – Gertrude Rogallo

For her contributions to the advancement of the art, sport and science of aviation through her help in the creation of the “Rogallo Wing” thus giving freedom to personal flight.

2003 – Eilene M. Galloway

For outstanding contributions over forty-five years advising Congress on the legal and policy aspects of outer space, serving the United Nations’ Committee for the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and developing international space law.

2002 – Evelyn Bryan Johnson

For her contributions to the art, sport and science of aviation as a pilot, flight instructor, designated examiner, air sport competitor, aviation business leader and role model for men and women alike.

2001 – Fay Gillis Wells

For her contributions to the advancement of the art, sport and science of aviation and for providing a role model for women in aviation.

2000 – Carroll W. Suggs

For being both instrumental to her husband”s success in the development of Petroleum Helicopters Inc. from her marriage to Robert L. Suggs in 1970 and personally responsible for the continued growth and improvements, notably in safety, employee satisfaction, and business diversification of Petroleum Helicopters, Inc., since Robert L. Suggs’ death in September 1989.

1999 – Athley Gamber

For her pioneering contributions to the furtherance of aviation, spanning more than a half century; for being instrumental in her family’s efforts to create a wide variety of general aviation businesses including aircraft sales, service, flight training, and charter airline companies; for providing support for a number of record-breaking flights; for being successful in expanding both the cope and quality of the family-owned operations following her husband’s tragic death; and for her caring attitude and positive influence on the lives of so many that are now involved in aviation.

1998 – Ramona Ann Ardaiz

For support of her husband’s aviation career over the past 50 years, including coaching during his studies, meeting the challenges of pioneering Alaska, believing in his dreams, and providing encouragement to achieve them.

1997 – Doris Lockness

For her aeronautical achievements during the past 50 years inspiring all who know her to set and attain higher goals as aviation professionals, and for many others to enter various fields of aviation.

1996 – Virginia M. “Ginny” Scheizer

For being a soaring pioneer and a record breaking soaring pilot who was also involved in various aspects of commercial sailplane operations, as well as having provided encouragement, support and inspiration to her husband to her husband, Paul A. Schweizer, in various phases of his aviation career.

1995 – Audrey Poberezny

For her 32 years of service to the sport aviation movement and for playing an integral and continuing role in the founding of the Experimental Aircraft Association in 1953.

1994 – Nadine Jeppesen

For loving wife and partner in the development of the Jeppesen Airway Manual.

1993 – June De Etta Maule

For lifetime achievement in aircraft manufacturing by providing encouragement, support, inspiration, and management skills to her husband, B. D. Maule, and to their business of manufacturing Maule aircraft for over 50 years.

1992 – Elizabeth Pfister

For lifetime contribution to the advancement of the art, sport and science of aviation.

1991 – Olive Ann Beech

1990 – Achsa B. Peacock Donnels

1983-1989

No awards given.

1982- Anne Morrow Lindbergh

1981- Moya Lear