Since its first international flight in 1927, Pan Am positioned itself as a world leader in American commercial aviation. Formed in 1959, World Wings International, Inc. (WWI) is an association of women and men who served as Pan Am flight attendants and pursers, that now dedicates itself to charitable activities. This collection includes the administrative records of the organization as well as scrapbooks, photographs, membership and annual meetings files, correspondence, and financial records.

The World Wings International, Inc. Creative Grant is open to applications for creative projects and activities by artists, writers, teachers, as well as researchers who would like to use the organizational records as starting points and inspiration for their projects. Priority will be given to proposals that will result in publication in any media. Up to $2,000 will be awarded annually to support travel to visit the University of Miami Libraries’ Special Collections to consult with a librarian and make use of the World Wings International, Inc. Records.

Prospective grantees are encouraged to explore new areas of creativity, scholarship and inquiry within the World Wings International, Inc. Collection at the University of Miami. We encourage creative use of these materials as inspiration for books, novels, artworks, film projects, documentaries, and we intend this call to be open to a variety of projects. The collection is very rich and can support interests across genres of history, geography, business, sociology, gender studies, and more. Successful applications will propose projects which further the image of World Wings International, Inc., and encourage further study into the role former Pan Am flight attendants had in the history of aviation, philanthropy, feminism, and women’s business history.

Grant awardees will be expected to give a presentation to faculty, students, staff, and interested community members either during the time of their stay or at a convenient later date.