Why Plane Dames?

Last night after a long day of working on this website I was lying in bed thinking about it.  Eva and I both enjoy the site alot.  And even the tedious parts of maintaining a website don't bother me because it is all part of "working my passion."  But I did start to ponder if there really is a good reason beyond our own gratification for this to exist and that brought me to the "why?" 

We've written about the club aspect being the initial impetus but that has been moved to the background and is something we will figure out as time and experience give insight.  Obviously selling Plane Dames logo items is certainly a major reason for the site's presence.  And if you are female and like airplanes, in the broader sense, you are a "plane dame" that the logo fits (as well as the shirts we hope!).  Given the limited number of options in female aviation related apparel, I suppose that could be enough reason to exist--to fulfill the first sentence in our mission statement of "being the premier resource of high quality, unique apparel and gifts for women who love aviation."  

Good--but for us, not best.  I think without the aspect of "Share an “attitude of altitude” through inspiration, connection and humor," the second sentence of our mission statement our reason to be would somehow feel shallow.  This is a work in progress for us too but we will do our best to have everything on our website be something that makes a difference in a positive way.  We are offering what we are to provoke thought, action, even a smile.  If you think trips to Florida or galas with John Travolta, etc., etc. are "beyond" you--think again.  Less than a year and a half ago, I had never been to Florida and now I've been 3 times--without the type of $ you would think needed to do it!  Hopefully seeing some of our "adventures" will inspire you to adventures of your own, or even join us!

Thus far, this site is "all about us"  but we have a view to connecting with other Plane Dames and getting your feedback, inspiration, questions, whatever.  It's always nice to have a place to go to connect.  We believe part of our "why" is just that.  And don't be surprised when our "why" continues to grow!

Photo ~ Always great to have a friend to help face whatever is "out there."  Robin & Eva on the beach at Pass a Grille, Florida

In the Beginning

What is “Plane Dames?” Dame is from the French word "dame" ( /dam/ ), meaning "lady" but other definitions are: female rank equivalent to a knight; a tough woman (slang from the 1940s). We are ladies (non and pilots)—champions, strong--who love airplanes and more!

Years of membership in aviation related clubs formed and run by men, although we do love them, prompted the idea of a group started by and for women. We knew organizations for female pilots existed but there didn’t seem to be anything for airplane loving non-pilot women as well. So in March 2007 driving home to the Kansas City area from a “girl trip” to St. Charles, Missouri in yet another discussion of the idea the decision was made to “go for it.” Gwyn came up with the name “Plane Dames,” which, as you can see from the definition of “dame,” turned out to be very fitting as well as catchy.

We began as “Just Plane Fun, Food and Shopping” since we most often drive to Fly-Ins, etc. and have found it not only gives us the opportunity to eat somewhere besides the field, we can also check out local shopping. For example, the annual EAA Fly-In at the Atchison, Kansas  airport the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend we not only enjoy the “plane fun” but also go into Atchison for lunch at the Pumpernickel Café (food) then on to Nell Hill’s, Garrity’s and the River Run Art Festival (shopping)! The "fun, food and shopping" thing works anywhere we go.  Truth be told, we are bigger "window shoppers" than we are consumers.  It's about seeing new things and the fellowship of hanging out.

Although Plane Dames started as the idea of a “ladies club” for just plane fun, food and shopping the possibilities have expanded in several directions. The Plane Dames logo literally embodies our aviation focus but it symbolically represents much more. How so?  Orville and Wilbur Wright’s first successful flight was the realization of mankind’s long-standing obsession to fly but what's at the heart of that obsession?  When reading about aviation, aviators, etc. the “spiritual” nature of flight is a re-occurring theme.   It is a rare person (whether they enjoy flying or not) who is not somehow stirred while watching a plane take off.  Something deep within us responds as we witness the defiance of gravity and the bonds of earth being broken.  We hold our breath as we wait for the lift off and then as the aircraft climbs, relax, release the breath.  There may even be an uncharacteristic buoyancy of hope--having just witnessed what would look to be impossible happen and so the airplane in our logo is also a symbol of that hope, freedom and experiencing the seemingly impossible.  Plane Dames are "women breaking the bonds that hold them down!”

Get any group organized and what's one of the first things you do?  Have a logo and a shirt made to proclaim to the world your existence as a group!  Once we got those first shirts, and having checked out the shopping at a few airshows, it occurred to Eva our logo is a real stand-out and would be a unique addition in the world of women’s aviation related apparel. Our "group proclamation" became another direction for Plane Dames in the form of our Gift Shop which currently carries apparel and will someday have fun, classy gift items.  We will be hitting the road to fly ins and airshows to sell there as well.

So if you enjoy aviation or happen to love an airplane nut, we hope you will visit this site often!  We'll do our best to be a positive connecting point for ladies engaging life with an "attitude of altitude!"