U Thomas M Mitchell M LiJ kiri onivailable space THIS LETTER IS DIRECTED primarily male modelers officers AMA hope modelers will consider points made read letter Joan Anastasio July issue Model Aviation lot interest have intrigued women modelers few occasions have seen thought would nice Joan said AMA concerned about lack women modeling looking ways increase participation said however honest opinion no quick fix no easy solution Although would nice Im sure right Indeed wonder possible significantly increase number women participants seems some sports hobbies appeal almost equally men women Examples might golf tennis ceramics gardening also seems some hobbies appeal almost exclusively sex other Two examples come mind modeling quilting mention quilting because wife quilter know little about would like compare two hobbies try gain some insight perceived problem having few women modelers aware women build fly model airplanes look around big contest however see lots women spectators see women running registration tables impound areas scoring tables etc etc few flying obviously must have interest activities contest wouldnt Have made feel welcome spectators workers participants guess also women wives girlfriends men participants spectators accompany male friends events enjoy seeing airplanes watching flying enjoy camaraderie have no interest flying themselves Most have exposed hobby years few have chosen actually participate point perceive have problem start wonder can get women participate Now let digress quilting very large active hobby US fully large active modeling local national guilds analogous clubs AMA local national international contests quilts displayed big contest true works art has taken hundreds perhaps thousands hours complete skill expertise required make would like compare two hobbies try gain some insight perceived problem having few women modelers bit much required build Top Gun Scale Masters winner almost quilt displayed made woman Men probably husbands quilters attendance helped set up exhibits few made quilts display might ask can get men involved quilting have problem hereno women modelers no men quilters dont think think simply have two hobbies unexplained reasons appeal almost exclusively sex other both Furthermore dont think amount education likely change balance think some kind promotional program might encourage significant numbers women become modelers put shoe other foot moment try imagine what kind program would required get other men become quilters think anything amount advertising exposure education whatever would get start quilting think notat least case Its have anything against quilting against man quilting simply sewing doesnt interest meespecially give up modeling share limited modeling time quilting So solution Probably solution means recruiting lots women modeling willing accept quality instead quantity content occasional excellent woman participant like Joan Anastasio answer yes Model Aviation should continue publish excellent articles like Dave Garwoods soaring column March issue hopefully MA other magazines will devote space women participate should just accept women fliers models Joan says novelties welcome participation suspect real solution though us encourage wives daughters join hobby After have exposure hobby through us therefore would seem likely potential participants female population general Programs promote hobby youth girls well boys also might eventually get women involved urge AMA invest large amounts time money developing programs specifically attract women modeling nice goal contemplate think unattainable except individual basis still agree again try imagine what would take make quilter recruiting funds limited Lets use have best chance producing positive results Teach wife fly trainer see goes Good luck though Ive tried interest flying doesnt want share limited quilting time modeling as M Mitchell 11831 Chase Lake Dr Houston IX 77077 46 Model Aviation time time s may affect public opinions expressedbe consti sstaffortlu