Our inaugural GALA fundraising event in March 2022 commemorated the 75th anniversary of the first All-Woman Air Show, hosted at Peter O. Knight Airport in 1949. That special celebration not only honored a groundbreaking moment in aviation history, but also raised scholarship funds for young women in the Tampa Bay area to pursue their aviation dreams. 

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors and community, the tradition continues each year as the GALA fundraiser grows, celebrating women in aviation — past, present, and future. 

At the heart of this mission is the GALA Scholarship Fund, proudly named after Betty Skelton, a Tampa aviation legend and true trailblazer. Known worldwide as “The First Lady of Firsts,” Betty began her flying career right here at Peter O. Knight Airport in the 1940s. In 1949, she flew aerobatics and raced at the first All-Woman Air Show to spotlight the vital role of women in aviation after WWII. 

Betty’s career shattered barriers. She became an international aerobatics champion, later moved into the fast lane as a professional racecar driver for Chevrolet, and went on to set more aviation and automotive records than anyone else in history. Her beloved Pitts Special biplane, “Little Stinker,” is proudly displayed at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. 

Betty Skelton’s fearless spirit and groundbreaking achievements inspired generations of women to look to the skies — and beyond — with confidence. The GALA Scholarship Fund carries forward her legacy by helping young women launch their own journeys in aviation, ensuring that her pioneering impact continues to lift new trailblazers into the future.