The award recognizes a living person for an outstanding and enduring contribution to the role of women in the field of aviation, aeronautics, space, or related sciences. Dr. Ruggles-Wrenn was selected for the award for";...dedicating over 27 years of her professional life to advancing the state-of-the-art in aerospace structures, design, and materials." Throughout her career, Dr. Ruggles-Wrenn has served as an innovator in aerospace materials design and testing. Her research and ability to effectively mimic real world conditions has helped to identify limitations in a material's performance that may affect flight safety. Her accomplishments include being honored as a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), receiving the Col. Gage H. Crocker Outstanding Professor Award, and authoring 10 books and 55 journal articles on aerospace, materials, and mechanical engineering.
The Stinson Trophy was created in 1997 by the National Aviation Club (now part of NAA) to honor the accomplishments of two sisters, Katherine and Marjorie Stinson. These sisters were among the first 11 American women to be certified as airplane pilots through the Aero Club of America (the predecessor of NAA). Their flying school helped numerous U.S. and foreign pilots to earn their Aero Club licenses, the precursor to FAA pilot certificates.
Previous recipients of this award, which is displayed at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, include Major General Catherine Chilton, USAF; the Honorable Carol Carmody; Pilot Julie Clark; and Astronaut Dr. Shannon Lucid.
The National Aeronautic Association is a non-profit, membership organization devoted to fostering America's aerospace leadership and promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight to the United States.
