Registration deadline is tomorrow, May 5 at 5pm.

Hundreds to be inspired at GIRLS FLY!, May 7

This Saturday, hundreds of women and girls will attend Girls Fly!, an all-day event of indoor and outdoor workshops, networking sessions and dream building. The innovative event is designed to provide young girls and women a nurturing, educational environment in which to pursue their passions and help create strong, healthy and financially empowered lifestyles. The deadline for registration is Thursday, May 5 at 5pm and can be completed online at www.girlsfly.org.

Mentors, professionals and business leaders in a variety of fields ranging from aviation to the arts will lead participants and share their successes during interactive morning sessions starting at 8 a.m. at pre-determined locations around Tucson. Participants can interact with professionals such as US Coast Guard helicopter pilot Lt. La’Shanda Holmes or Peggy Holt Wagner, who specializes in equine therapy. Attendees can meet with Olympic-level athletes and basketball players, horse trainers, artists, culinary professionals and writers — all part of Girls Fly!

The afternoon session begins at 1 p.m. at the Pima Air and Space Museum and will include keynote speaker Jessica Cox, an Arizona native, a licensed pilot and college graduate. Although born without arms, she followed her dream of flight and encourages others in their pursuits. Also featured is Christine Grumm, President and CEO of the Women’s Funding Network, the world’s largest women’s funding organization focused on transformational philanthropy.

The afternoon slate of events also will showcase the powerful documentary, Miss Representation, a recent Official Selection at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. The film, which explores women’s under-representation in positions of power and challenges the limited and often disparaging portrayal of women in the media, will air on the Oprah Winfrey Network later this fall. The film will be followed by a panel discussion featuring local and national thought leaders. Visit misrepresentation.org for more information about the film.

Girls Fly! will continue to soar past the launch event this Saturday, and on to the annual El Tour de Tucson ride in November. Attendees will have the opportunity to sign up with the Girls Fly! team at the event or any time online.

Media sponsors for Girls Fly! include the Arizona Daily Star and Cox Media. Other major partners include the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Tucson Medical Center, Arizona Medical Transit, Film Creations, Ltd. and Southwest Airlines. Tickets for the all-day event are $30 for students and $50 for general admission and may be purchased online at girlsfly.org and watch for updates on the Girls Fly! Facebook page.