16 Sep From STEM to Sky: Shahara Murphy on Girls in Aviation Day 2025 Connecticut and the Power of Representation
This year’s Girls in Aviation Day promises to be an unforgettable event — especially through the lens of Shahara Murphy, Outreach Chair for the Connecticut Chapter of Women in Aviation International (WAI-CT). We sat with Shahara to learn about her journey, what drives her, and what this event means for young women dreaming of aviation careers.
Why Girls in Aviation Day Matters – From Shahara’s Cockpit
Shahara’s story is anything but linear, yet to her it has always felt adjacent enough to aviation that each step prepared her for the next. Starting her career as a STEM teacher, she worked hands-on with students, helping them explore science, math, and technology. Even now, she continues substitute teaching—because she believes education is foundational. It’s what first seeded her belief that aviation doesn’t begin only in the cockpit, but in classrooms.
Her shift to being a flight attendant with Avelo Airlines, based in New Haven, opened new doors. Being in aviation every day — seeing planes, interacting with pilots and crew — she discovered a deeper, growing passion. But what crystallized everything was meeting Captain Catherine Hiwot one of the few Black female captains at Avelo at the time. Shahara says that seeing Captain Hiwot’s example made her realize: “you can’t be what you can’t see.” That realization pushed her to begin pilot training.
Now, as Outreach Chair for WAI-CT, Shahara’s focus is ensuring that Girls in Aviation Day isn’t just a fun, inspiring gathering, but a launching pad. A place where young women who may never otherwise see pathways into aviation feel welcomed, represented, and equipped with real resources and encouragement.
Women in Aviation Connecticut Chapter: Mission & Role
The Women in Aviation Connecticut Chapter (WAI-CT) works locally to support and advance women in all aviation career fields. Their goals include:
- Providing outreach and educational programs for young people interested in aviation and STEM.
- Encouraging advancement of women in technical aviation roles.
- Building community through mentorship, networking, and events such as Girls in Aviation Day.
- They serve as both a community and a bridge — between schools, the aviation industry, and students — helping to make aspirations real.
Girls in Aviation Day The Event: What to Expect & Why It’s Special
This year’s Girls in Aviation Day Connecticut will take place Saturday, September 20, 2025, at the RT Flight Hangar at Signature.
As Shahara describes, the event will include:
- Airplane and helicopter displays, allowing attendees to get up close, explore aircraft interiors, and see aviation from the hangar floor.
- The chance to tour aircraft in a location that’s literally next to active runways — making for an unforgettable backdrop.
- STEM hands-on components: demonstrations, resources, and tools like STEMPILOT simulators will be present this year.
STEMPILOT is proud to once again join Connecticut Chapter of Women in Aviation International (WAI-CT) for Girls in Aviation Day 2025, offering students the chance to experience aviation through interactive flight simulation. In addition, teachers will receive goodie bags filled with resources and classroom tip sheets, making it easier to bring the inspiration of Girls in Aviation Day back to their schools.
^^^ ***CLICK ON THIS PICTURE TO SEE OUR WRAP UP FROM LAST YEARS GIRLS IN AVIAITION DAY EVENT***^^^
Hard Facts: The State of Women in Aviation
To understand why events like this are so important, here are some relevant statistics that Shahara and WAI-CT highlight to show the current landscape for women in aviation:
Women pilots as a share of all pilots (USA) |
Approximately 6 % of all pilots are women. |
Students and new pilots |
About 15.9 % of student pilots are women. |
Airline Transport Pilots |
Only 5.5 % of senior-level pilots are women. |
FAA-certified non-student female pilots |
Roughly 6.3 % of all FAA-certified pilots (excluding students). |
These numbers aren’t just data for Shahara — they underscore the urgency of outreach and mentorship. Representation is a motivator in her story, and it remains a core motivator for what WAI-CT and the Girls in Aviation Day event aim to do.
Shahara’s Vision for Girls in Aviation Day Attendees
When we asked Shahara what she hopes students gain from this year’s event, her answer was rooted in connection and confidence.
She wants every girl who attends to see herself reflected in aviation — whether that’s in the cockpit, on the hangar floor, or through the STEM skills they use every day in school. By meeting real pilots, flight instructors, and aviation professionals, students can begin to imagine their own futures in these roles.
Just as importantly, she wants them to understand the bridge between STEM and aviation. Math, science, problem-solving, and planning aren’t abstract concepts — they’re the very foundation of flight. The event is designed to spark curiosity while showing that these skills translate into exciting, meaningful careers.
Above all, Shahara hopes attendees leave with a sense of belonging: aviation isn’t a closed world; it’s a space where their dreams can take flight.
Building a Support System for the Next Generation
Shahara is clear that inspiring young women isn’t only the responsibility of events like Girls in Aviation Day — it requires consistent support from families, schools, and the wider community.
- Parents can nurture curiosity by encouraging questions, exposing their daughters to aviation experiences, and keeping them engaged in STEM learning. Even simple activities like visiting an airport, reading about pilots, or attending free events can have a lasting impact.
- Teachers can integrate aviation into lessons and highlight female role models in STEM. Using tools such as STEMPILOT flight simulators, educators can create hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning to real-world applications.
- Communities and industry partners can widen pathways by offering mentorship, discovery flights, scholarships, and classroom partnerships. Shahara pointed to Avelo Airlines’ collaboration with East Haven schools as a shining example of how airlines can create clear and attainable routes into aviation.
Together, these efforts dismantle outdated perceptions that aviation is “masculine” and instead show students that their ambitions are valid, supported, and achievable.
Skills Young Aviators Should Strengthen
Because many barriers in aviation are both technical and mindset-based, Shahara named specific skills that schools and students should focus on:
- Decision Making & Planning– Pilots spend much of their time preparing before takeoff.
- Problem Solving under Pressure– Unexpected challenges arise often; staying calm and focused is critical.
- Risk Management– Understanding and mitigating risks is key to safe and effective piloting.
These skills are not just aviation essentials — they’re life skills that empower students in any career path.
Closing Word from Shahara
When asked what message she would share with attendees this year, Shahara’s words were simple but powerful:
“Be open to challenge, even if it’s hard. You can do anything: it starts with belief. The how-to will develop.”
Why We’re Excited This Year
We’ll be attending once again, supporting WAI-CT and taking part in the goodie bags for teachers — distributing teacher tip sheets filled with ideas and resources to keep the learning going beyond the hangar. We’re thrilled that STEMPILOT simulators will be in attendance, offering interactive, immersive experiences.
This event isn’t just for young girls; it’s for everyone who cares about breaking down barriers, expanding what people believe is possible, and investing in a future where more women aren’t just present in aviation — they lead.
What we’re taking away from Ms. Murphy
Shahara Murphy’s journey demonstrates that sometimes the path into aviation begins in classrooms, with curiosity and representation. That meeting a role model, seeing someone who reflects you, or being given a chance to explore can change everything.
Girls in Aviation Day Connecticut is not just an event — it’s a catalyst. Through it, students, educators, parents, and community members can come together to build support, visibility, and real opportunity. And with leaders like Shahara steering outreach, the future looks brighter — and more inclusive — for women in aviation than ever before.