This week we are recognizing one of the eight 2026 Elsie award winners. Named after Elsie MacGill, the chief aeronautical engineer at Canadian Car and Foundry who oversaw the production of 1,451 Hawker Hurricanes during the Second World War, these are annual awards given by the Northern Lights Aero Foundation, an organization whose vision is “To be the Premier organization in Canada that inspires, supports, and promotes women in the field of aviation and aerospace.” You can learn more about the organization by clicking here.
The second of eight award recipients is featured this week
Barbara Bowen, recognized with the Education Award
Barb Bowen has dedicated more than twenty-five years to advancing aerospace education, workforce development and equitable access to aviation careers in Manitoba. Joining Manitoba Aerospace in 1999, she played a central role in developing and leading flagship outreach programs including Aerospace and Aviation Day and Girls in Aviation Day. As Director of Programs, Barb has led major multi-stakeholder initiatives, coordinated sector-wide partnerships and worked closely with educational institutions across Manitoba to strengthen pathways into technical and professional aerospace careers. Barb has championed Indigenous workforce development through community partnerships such as the Aboriginal Aerospace Initiative. For a significant part of her career, she focused on expanding opportunities for women entering the sector, an effort that culminated in more than thirty women securing entry-level positions in the aviation industry through Women Transitioning to Careers in Aerospace programs. Barb served for more than 15 years as Chair of the Board at Career Trek. After retiring in 2025, Barb returned to Manitoba Aerospace as a project coordinator to support ongoing initiatives for women.
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