November 8 was National STEM Day, a day focused on inspiring young people to explore and pursue careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math—and the JetBlue Foundation participated in two fantastic events with its grantee partners to commemorate the day.
It was women wielding the wrenches, fixing the airplane engines and sitting in the captain’s chair in the cockpit of the 190-seat airplane inside JetBlue’s hangar at Logan International Airport on Saturday — a rare sight in an industry dominated by men.
Female pilots, mechanics and fight attendants greeted more than 40 girls ages 6-17 with a first-class glance at what it’s like to be a woman in aviation as part of the airline’s “Fly Like A Girl” campaign.
Joanna Geraghty said being the highest-ranking woman in the airline industry is humbling, but also frustrating.
"It shouldn't be that way in 2018," said Geraghty, JetBlue's president and chief operating officer. "There should be many more in this space ranked even higher than me."
JetBlue teamed up with the Utah STEM Action Center and Atlantic Aviation Friday to teach girls about careers in flight, especially those relying on science, technology, engineering and math.
“Tying into our mission of inspiring humanity, we have a responsibility to help educate young girls about the wonders of aviation and what we do. It was really fun seeing the girls’ eyes light up and for them to see the possibilities that they can make this their career as well,” shared Rachel McCarthy, SVP Talent & Learning, JetBlue.
In the wake of the country’s most recent school shooting, one airline stepped up in a big way. Here, a look at philanthropic giving in the travel industry—and how one woman at the helm of JetBlue’s efforts is making major strides.
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On Valentine’s Day, after a lone shooter entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and took the lives of 17 people, Icema Gibbs knew it was time to get to work.
In training, Jerusalem Melke found she focused more on how planes work than how to fly them
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Jerusalem Melke has spent more sleepless nights at John F. Kennedy International Airport than even the most road-weary frequent flier, although she is there by design. Melke is an aircraft technician for JetBlue Airways, and her workday starts at 10 p.m. “The terminal is pretty desolate at night, but outside the hangar it’s bustling,” she said.
To conclude Women’s History Month, JetBlue took some time to recognize our JetBlue crewmembers (both male and female!) who help to inspire young women to pursue a career in aviation.
