Celebrating AFA-CWA Founder's Day - Oct 1, 2015

The 2013 AFA-CWA Board of Directors moved to recognize our Flight Attendant and Union history by establishing AFA-CWA Founders' Day. Founders’ Day was established to honor our Union's founding members and to recognize the important role of our active retirees. This Thursday, October 1, 2015 we celebrate our third annual AFA-CWA Founder's Day. October 1st was chosen because it was the birthdate of our last surviving founding member, Edith Lauterbach, who passed away in February 2013. She flew for United Airlines for over 40 years and witnessed the evolution of our profession from "sky girl" to Safety Professional and First Responder.

Today, we stand on the shoulders of five amazing Flight Attendants who started the first union organized, run and controlled by women. Throughout the years, AFA has played a crucial role in advancing the profession and today, Flight Attendants are recognized as aviation’s first responders.

Our work is not finished and we remain resolute in our mission to advance the career in honor of our founders and the Flight Attendants who continue their work as safety professionals on flights around the world. AFA pledges a strong voice for our profession with government and industry in the regulatory and legislative process. Our member-driven union will continue advancing the issues that matter most to Flight Attendants.

Don’t forget to wear your official AFA pin proudly not just on Founders’ Day but each and everyday, in Solidarity as today and every day, we stand on the shoulders of the five amazing Flight Attendants who started the largest and first organized Flight Attendant Union. Throughout the years, AFA has played a crucial role in advancing our profession; due to their determination, Flight Attendants today are recognized as aviation's First Responders and Safety Professionals.

Let’s pause together around the world to remember our Founding Mothers and reflect upon their contributions to our profession.