For all we like to rag on them, airlines often to do a lot of good for the community. In the era of #MeToo, American Airlines is recognizing the importance of female leadership across industries in Los Angeles. I’m fully behind that goal.
Sometimes this community good comes in tangible forms like direct monetary grants, sometimes it comes in more practical forms like art exhibitions.
If you are in Venice Beach this afternoon, look for the mural pictured above near The Brig on Abbot Kinney Boulevard. It will remain there until Saturday at 6pm. The painting is by LA-artist Colette Miller.
The piece is a nod to Miller’s signature wings and symbolizes the momentous women in aviation, film and across all industries. The timing also coincides with this year’s Bonnie Award…American created the Bonnie Award in partnership with Film Independent to recognize the visionary work of female filmmakers. The first Bonnie Award winner, Chloe Zhao, will be recognized at the Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica this weekend.
Bonnie Award? The new award is inspired by Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo, the first female pilot to fly for a major U.S. airline. She began flying for American Airlines in 1973 and flew with AA for 26 years. The winner of the award receives a $50,000 grant from American.
CONCLUSION
I wrote about this because the piece of artwork caught my eye (I love it). More importantly, though, I think this sort of corporate citizenship is something we can all rally around.
Just lovely.
How exactly does this help women? As for the art itself, there are dozens of similar wing paintings around LA — all the Instagramers pose in front of them then regurgitate a dozen lame hashtags.
Well aren’t you a Debbie-Downer today.