Voting at the Annual Business meeting will be done electionically and will require members to attend the meeting either in person or on Zoom and be credentialed in order to ensure delivery of the voting link.  Information about how to credential and vote can be viewed in this video:

[Video:https://ninety-nines.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Voting-at-ABM.mp4]

The Western New York Chapter of the Ninety-Nines is pleased to announce the establishment of the Melanie Georger Memorial Scholarship, funded by the Georger Family in memory of Melanie Georger, a young aviatrix and 99s member whose passion for flight and aeronautical sciences left a lasting impact on those around her. This scholarship honors her dedication, ambition, and love of aviation by supporting women who are actively pursuing their own aviation goals.

The scholarship will award a minimum of one recipient annually, with individual awards up to $15,000 in total scholarship funds per year. Funds may be used for primary or advanced flight training, including flight hours and check ride preparation, with eligible expenses incurred between June 1, 2026 and May 31, 2027.

Applicants must be female pilots or student pilots, at least 18 years of age, current members of the Ninety-Nines, and living and training in Western New York. Eligible counties include Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Chemung, Erie, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Niagara, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates.

Applications, including a completed application form, personal essay, and two letters of recommendation by April 1, 2026.  For additional information or application details, interested applicants may contact the Western New York Chapter of the Ninety-Nines at 99swnyscholarship@gmail.com.

Lightspeed Delta Zulu ANR Headset Winner

09/11/2025

Congratulations, Liere!

We're excited to announce that Liere Kennedy is the winner of our quarterly Lightspeed Delta Zulu ANR headset giveaway!

Liere now joins the growing list of Ninety-Nines members and Friends of The 99s who wear the most advanced aviation headsets from Lightspeed — combining safety, innovation, and comfort in the cockpit.

Thank you to our partner Lightspeed Aviation for supporting The Ninety-Nines and helping us keep women pilots in aviation soaring higher every day!

Stay tuned — our next quarterly drawing is just around the corner.

In Memory of Wally Funk

In Memory of Wally Funk
February 1, 1939 – 2026
The Ninety-Nines mourn the passing of one of aviation’s most inspiring pioneers, Mary Wallace “Wally” Funk—a woman whose courage, determination, and love of flight changed the course of history for women in aviation.
Wally was more than a celebrated aviator. She was one of us.
As a longtime member of The Ninety-Nines, Wally embodied Amelia Earhart’s spirit of adventure and the unwavering belief that women belong in every corner of aviation. She spent more than six decades proving that talent, perseverance, and passion know no gender.
Long before the world knew her name, Wally was breaking barriers. In 1961, she became one of the Mercury 13 women who successfully completed the same rigorous physical testing as the male astronauts selected by NASA. She outperformed many of her male counterparts, yet was denied the opportunity to fly in space simply because she was a woman. Rather than allowing disappointment to define her, Wally devoted her life to aviation—earning thousands of hours in the cockpit, instructing countless pilots, serving as the first female FAA inspector and the first female NTSB air safety investigator, and inspiring generations through her enthusiasm and generosity.
Then, at the age of 82, the dream she had carried for sixty years finally came true. On July 20, 2021, Wally flew into space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard, becoming the oldest woman to reach space. It was a moment celebrated around the world—not simply because she had reached space, but because justice, though long delayed, had finally caught up with determination.
Those fortunate enough to know Wally remember far more than her extraordinary accomplishments. They remember her infectious smile, boundless energy, unmistakable laugh, and genuine joy every time she climbed into an airplane or encouraged another person to chase their dreams. She never lost the excitement of a young girl who looked skyward and believed she belonged there.
For The Ninety-Nines, Wally represented everything our founders envisioned. She opened doors she was never invited to enter, then held those doors open for every woman who followed. She showed us that perseverance can outlast prejudice, that excellence speaks louder than barriers, and that dreams have no expiration date.
As we remember our friend and fellow Ninety-Nine, we celebrate a life lived boldly and without compromise. Wally often said she intended to keep flying for as long as she lived. She did exactly that.
Blue skies and tailwinds, dear Wally.
Your journey has inspired generations of women pilots, and your legacy will continue to lift every young girl who looks to the sky and dares to believe, “I can do that too.”
You will forever have a place in the hearts of your Ninety-Nines sisters.
Blue skies, Wally. We’ll take it from here.My condolences to you and to the entire Ninety-Nines family. Wally’s passing marks the loss of one of the last living links to the pioneering generation that transformed opportunities for women in aviation, but her influence will continue to be felt every time a woman takes the controls of an aircraft.