Jena Olsen, Judyth Springer and Pete Mrowca

Amanda Kafcsak and Mary Papa

Toni Mullee, Hannah Mullee, Tom Mullee, Catherine Mullee and Mary Ann Vizdos

The International Women’s Air & Space Museum (IWASM) hosted its annual fundraiser, “Corks on the Concourse,” at Burke Lakefront Airport the day before the return of the Cleveland National Air Show.
This year, the event took place both in person and virtually. More than 105 guests attended the festivities, which included wine tastings, hors d’oeuvres, live music, special exhibits and programs. The $20,000 raised will go toward revamping exhibits and developing new educational programs, according to IWASM Executive Director Sara Fisher.

David Dabney and Anna Semple

The mission of the museum is to collect, preserve and showcase the history and culture of women in all areas of aviation and aerospace, educate people about their contributions and inspire future generations about bringing history to life. The significance of this year’s fundraiser is that it coincided with the 45th anniversary of the museum, 23 years of which have been celebrated at Burke Lakefront Airport. The museum began as a committee of Ninety-Nines who started saving memorabilia and the history of female pilots. The Ninety-Nines is an international organization of pilots formed in 1929. There were 99 charter members and Amelia Earhart was the first elected president. STORY BY CYNTHIA SCHUSTER EAKIN/PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC EAKIN