Women in Aviation International announces 2026 Pioneer Hall of Fame Inductees

Women in Aviation International (WAI) announced on Nov. 18 that it has selected the 2026 inductees for its international Pioneer Hall of Fame. The three inductees are Olga Custodio, Joan Sullivan Garrett and the late Nadine Berniece Ramsey. They will be honored at the 37th Annual Women in Aviation International Conference during a ceremony and celebration dinner on March 20 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center. Olga Custodio is a Hispanic captain in commercial aviation and the first Latina pilot in the U.S. Air Force. She was a T-38 instructor pilot before serving 24 years in the Air Force. Custodio retired as a lieutenant colonel, then flew on the Fokker 100, Boeing 727, 757 and 767 for American Airlines. Currently, she is a STEM advocate, volunteer and speaker serving as a role model for aspiring aviators. Joan Sullivan Garrett served as a flight nurse before founding MedAire in 1985. She personally trained flight crews and corporate pilots in emergency response and pioneered global telemedicine through radio, teletype, and satellite communications. She also created MedLink, a 24/7 air-to-ground response center staffed by emergency physicians. Garrett served as CEO until 2008 and has received multiple awards as both a healthcare leader and aviation safety pioneer. "Joan's passion, professionalism, determination, leadership and heart were defining characteristics of her service to NBAA. They are also defining characteristics of her service to humanity," said Jo Damato, NBAA senior VP and longtime WAI member who nominated Garrett. RELATED STORIES: World altitude record for women broken in Sling light sport aircraft Ellen Church: the first female flight attendant EAA honors five 2025 Halls of Fame inductees The late Nadine Berniece Ramsey was a pioneering female pilot and a member of the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) during World War II. She was the first woman in the U.S. to fly military aircraft. She was one of only about 50 women to provide wartime service training instruction during the war and was a first squadron commander for the Civil Air Patrol Program. Ramsey's other achievements include being the first Kansas woman to earn a commercial pilot license and being among the earliest women to fly the U.S. Air Mail. Her life and legacy as a successful aircraft businesswoman, stunt flier and racer are described in the book Taking Flight. "We want to ensure that the rich history of women's accomplishments in aviation is not lost in time," said WAI CEO Lynda Coffman. "Our international Pioneer Hall of Fame honors women who made remarkable contributions to aviation, as well as open doors for future generations of women who choose aviation as a career. This year's inductees reflect their unique contributions to aviation, and we look forward to celebrating their accomplishments."