33rd Space Symposium will Host Women's Global Gathering

For the first time at the Space Symposium, the Space Foundation will host a Women's Global Gathering.

"The Space Symposium provides an ideal opportunity to bring together leaders from around the world to discuss the role of women in international leadership," said Space Foundation Chief Operating Officer and Acting CEO Shelli Brunswick. "This Global Gathering will be open to both men and women, and will focus on expanding opportunities for the future workforce."

The Space Foundation wants to make this gathering as valuable as possible, and would like input now from those who are interested in attending. Please email topic suggestions that you would like discussed by a panel or expert at the Women's Global Gathering to [email protected].

The 33rd Space Symposium will bring thousands of space professionals from dozens of countries to The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, April 3 - 6, 2017, to discuss the world's most pressing space issues. Find complete conference information here.

31st Annual Women in Aerospace Awards Dinner and Ceremony
Brunswick is chair of Women in Aerospace (WIA), and recently served as emcee for the 31st Annual Women in Aerospace Awards Dinner and Ceremony.  Dr. Jamie Morin, Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation for the Department of Defense, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden (pictured with Brunswick) and Debra Factor Lepore, Vice President and General Manager of Strategic Operations for Ball Aerospace, were award presenters.

In her remarks, Brunswick said, "WIA was founded in 1985 by a visionary group of women who saw the need for an organization to connect women in aerospace and related professions, and the need to raise their visibility within the sector and attract other women to its ranks. The founders had a strong vision from the beginning that this association would be open to both men and women, recognizing the value of everyone working together toward our common goal."

Among the honors awarded at the dinner, special recognition was given to the contributions of the late Patti Grace Smith, former Associate Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration; Principal, Patti Grace Smith Consulting, LLC; and Space Foundation board member.

"Patti Grace Smith exemplified everything that WIA represents," said Brunswick in her remarks. "She was a tremendous advocate for women in aerospace, an incredible role-model and mentor and a tireless advocate for commercial spaceflight."

For more about Patti Grace Smith, read a tribute to her in the July issue of Space Watch here.

This article is part of Space Watch: November 2016 (Volume: 15, Issue: 11).