Presentation and panel discussion about “Trailblazers: The Women of The Boeing Company” will be Nov. 8 at Edmonds College

10/7/14

Women have played strong roles as aviation pioneers and innovators in the growth of The Boeing Company. Betsy Case’s book, “Trailblazers: The Women of The Boeing Company,” tells the stories of these women and their contributions of dedication, skill, and passion. Join us for a presentation and panel discussion with Case on Nov. 8, 10 a.m.-noon in Woodway Hall, room 202 at Edmonds College.

The event is free and open to the public. Sign up — for yourself or a group — at www.edmonds.edu/events. Complimentary coffee and refreshments will be served.

The book covers the history of women at The Boeing Company—from the first seamstress hired to stitch linen wings in 1916 to the Rosie the Riveters of the 1940s to the engineers and pilots of today.

The panel discussion will feature Patricia Beckman — honored in 2010 by the Women in Aviation, International Pioneer Hall of Fame — for being the first woman to qualify as a crewmember on the F-15 Eagle fighter jet, and Sandra Jeffcoat, the first African-American woman to become a member of the Boeing Technical Excellence program.

Sandra Ward, marketing director of the Future of Flight and Boeing Tour in Everett, will moderate the panel.

After the panel discussion, Case, Beckman, and Jeffcoat will be available to sign copies of "Trailblazers." Books can be purchased in advance from the Edmonds CC bookstore, Boeing Store retail outlets and website, or Amazon. A limited quantity will be available for purchase at the event. The hardcover book contains rare archival photographs and interviews and is $35.

Seattle-area author Betsy Case was an award-winning marketing writer at Boeing for 18 years. She is also the author of the books "In Plane View," "The Jumbo Jet: Changing the World of Flight," and "Houseboat: Reflections of North America's Floating Homes."

This presentation is sponsored by the Everett and Edmonds SnoKing branches of the American Association of University Women and Edmonds CC.

Woodway Hall on the Edmonds College campus is located at 20000 68th Ave. W, Lynnwood. Directions and campus maps are available at www.edmonds.edu/campus.