Welcome to Women’s Aerospace Magazine. I’m so happy you
found us.
When I was invited to helm this new magazine, I was thrilled, but
a little apprehensive. I thought that aerospace wasn’t an
industry for a nonscientist like me, but I quickly discovered that I
belong here just as much as anyone else — and I thank you all
for showing me that. Your enthusiasm, combined with Holly’s
vision, reignited the dreamer within me and, together, it feels like
we can accomplish anything.
Over these past months, we’ve heard from so many of you.
You’ve shared your hopes and dreams, your stories, and also
your challenges and disappointments. You’ve also confirmed
our mission: We’re all looking for community, and that
community today is more valuable than ever.
We chose the theme Origins for this issue because, historically,
origin stories haven’t always been very inclusive. It doesn’t mean
that underrepresented groups haven’t always been there,
because you know we have. Yet, until now, there have been few
networks in place to help us grow and navigate the future, as
well as celebrate our accomplishments. That’s exactly why the
Women’s Aerospace Network (WAN) was born.
Merriam-Webster defines Origins as “Rise.” And rise we have,
from humble beginnings as dreamers, to accomplished
students and professionals in all fields of aerospace and
aviation; from doctors and lawyers, to engineers and astronauts,
to writers such as myself who were always fascinated by space,
but had no idea how to get there.
The worlds of aviation and aerospace are growing by leaps and
bounds.
Yet
with
incredible
opportunities
come
equally
incredible challenges. In this issue, we’ve asked an impressive
variety of contributors to share their own journeys, and to report
on others’ who are traveling right alongside you. There was no
way that we could include them all, but I hope the sampling that
we’ve provided offers hope, inspiration, and a little bit of
guidance.
As I write this letter, I’ve recently watched parts of my hometown,
Los Angeles, burn to the ground. So many peoples’ lives have
been disrupted, and people displaced, including some of our
WAN team. The tragedy feels almost unbearable, yet the one
bright light shining through all of this is how communities have
come together to support each other, both for the short- and
long-term journeys of rebuilding. As one volunteer put it, “The
community saves the community.”
Community is what WAN is all about, and that is what we’re
trying to foster in this magazine. In these pages, and in this
community, everyone matters. Our tagline, Space for All,
embodies everything we hope to be: A safe place where people
from all backgrounds, all over the planet, can feel welcome,
supported, valued, and heard. In this community, each of you is
the most important member.
I hope you find inspiration, aspiration, ideas, food for thought,
fun, and laughter in our pages. Most of all, I hope you find
yourself, and others, in our community.
EDITOR’S LETTER
BY MARI FLORENCE
SPRING 2025 - 2
MARI FLORENCE
EDITOR IN CHIEF
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