March 19, 2026

PHX Recognizes March as Women's History Month

PHOENIX – The City of Phoenix Aviation Department is celebrating Women's History Month, commemorating the vital role of women in American history by casting a spotlight on Aviation Department employees and their careers.

With more than 200 women employed by the City’s Aviation Department, we want to share some of their stories in March, recognizing female employees and their contributions.

Women in aviation fields are nearly as old as the industry itself. Everyone has heard of Amelia Earhart (1897-1937) whose daring transcontinental flights paved the way for women in commercial flight, but not everyone has a chance to hear about employees like Sabrina R., who for more than nine years has worked in the heart of the Aviation Department’s command center as a communications dispatcher.

Working at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has made her more outgoing and appreciative of the energetic airport atmosphere.

“It’s an empowering environment for women, and working with them to solve issues that pop up at the airport takes a lot of communication and problem-solving,” she said. “It can help you come out of your shell.”

Aviation Supervisor Lesley G. has worked at Phoenix Sky Harbor since 1995, starting as a contractor, then joining the Aviation Department in 2002. She worked in several divisions in the Aviation Department, a popular way for employees to get a taste of different teams and work concentrations, before finding her niche in the Operations Division.

“When I was working with the contractor, I always looked up to the different sections and divisions,” she said. “There are so many opportunities and room for advancement.”

Aviation Supervisor Gwendolyn S., who has worked in the Operations Division since about 1997, cites the stimulating airport surroundings as one thing that keeps her working at PHX.

“I really like the airport atmosphere: the people, the air traffic, everything all comes together,” she said. “And it happens 24 hours a day.”

These are just a few of the female employees at the Aviation Department who keep the airports running around the clock. Please check our social media channels later this month for spotlights on these and some of our other PHX employees.

Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society and has been observed annually in the United States since 1987, taking place from March 1-31.

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Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, America’s Friendliest Airport^®, has an annual economic impact of more than $44 billion. On an average day, approximately 1,300 aircraft and more than 140,000 passengers arrive at and depart from Phoenix Sky Harbor. PHX Sky Harbor is funded with airport revenue. No tax dollars are used to support the airport.