scholarship named after Amelia Earhart, who she views as an icon. “I am amazed she was able to do all that without any advance technological aid in her flight. She set the standard for women in aviation around the world.” The memorial and trust is a joint program that will provide an annual micro-scholarship to a PNG woman to help her reach greater heights in a STEM field, with a particular focus on aviation engineering and flying. It was initiated by the US Embassy with support from PNG Tribal Foundation and the PNG University of Technology (UniTech) in Lae, with donations to come from American companies and individuals, specifically in its first year by ExxonMobil PNG. The launch at
UniTech on July 24 – on Amelia’s birthday, and 87 years since her disappearance – was marked by a visit from retired US NASA astronaut Marsha Ivins, who joined with US Ambassador to PNG Ann Marie Yastishock to present Deborah with her inaugural scholarship. “I was 15 years old when I decided I wanted to learn to fly in an era that was not a standard thing to do,” Marsha said. “And because there was and had been an Amelia Earhart, it was not considered impossible. “And so I thank her for that and I encourage you to take heart if you’re told no or you can’t or you shouldn’t, because you absolutely can.” The participants also broke ground on the Amelia Earhart memorial designed by David
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Deborah (right) with fellow PNG pilot at Manolos Aviation, Annette Gele, in front of the Bell 430 helicopter, P2-MUM. Manolos has also sponsored Annette’s flight training
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