The Northern Lights Aero Foundation announced on International Women’s Day (March 8) the awarding of eight scholarships to deserving recipients. The number of scholarships has doubled to eight this year, with CAE Inc. joining with Air Canada as sponsors.
“I am delighted that Air Canada and CAE have partnered to double the number of Captain Judy Cameron scholarships for 2023,” said Northern Lights director Judy Cameron and former Air Canada 777 captain, now retired. “Each recipient has shown great determination in their training, and the willingness to encourage and inspire others in their aviation journey.”
The scholarships are awarded to women studying to become commercial pilots or aircraft maintenance engineers.
This year’s winners of the Air Canada-sponsored Captain Judy Cameron Scholarship are Amanda Tosto of Surrey, British Columbia; Hélène Trudeau of Beausejour, Manitoba; Charlotte Thorley of Grimsby, Ontario and Chanelle Wilson of Coldstream, British Columbia.
Also announced were the winners of the CAE Woman in Flight Ambassadors. These included Meera Bissonauth of Mississauga, Ontario; Mia Cochran of North Bay, Ontario; Jaime Hanson of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta and Kyra Jarvis of Kingston, Nova Scotia.
“Currently, only five percent of commercial pilots are women, and our newest Women in Flight Ambassadors will join six others to help spread the word about this exciting profession and serve as role models to young women who aspire to a career at the controls of a commercial airliner,” said CAE’s Group President for Civil Aviation Nick Leontidis.
The annual Northern Lights awards gala will be held later this year on October 12 in Brampton Ontario, at which time the annual Elsie MacGill Award winners will also be recognized.