AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Goodyear
Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) announced today that
Shaesta Waiz, the youngest woman to
fly solo around the world in a single-engine aircraft, will
christen Wingfoot Three, the newest addition to its fleet of
world-famous Goodyear blimps. The ceremony will be held on
Aug. 30 at 2
p.m. ET at Goodyear's Wingfoot Lake Hangar which is
celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
"We're delighted to have Shaesta serve as the christener of our
newest blimp," said Goodyear Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
President Richard J. Kramer.
"Shaesta has an inspiring life story and turned her passion for
flying into a record-setting solo journey around the world. She
serves as a role model to young women to follow their dreams by
pursuing STEM education and careers in aviation."
Waiz traveled more than 24,000 nautical miles on her
record-breaking flight between May 13
– Oct. 4, 2017. Along the way, the
30-year-old Afghan-American pilot visited 22 countries and promoted
STEM education at outreach events for more than 3,000 girls and
boys. Waiz continues advocating for STEM education through her
nonprofit organization, Dreams Soar, Inc.
"It is truly an honor to be selected by Goodyear to christen
Wingfoot Three. I know Amelia
Earhart will be with us on this special day, just as her
spirit was with me during the Pacific Ocean crossing from
Hawaii to California," said Waiz.
Since 1917, Goodyear has built more than 300 lighter-than-air
vehicles for public relations and defense applications, many built
at the Wingfoot Lake Hangar in Suffield,
Ohio.
Goodyear has recognized noteworthy women for nearly a century
through the tradition of christening Goodyear blimps. Celebrated
aviator Amelia Earhart (1929),
astronaut Dr. Sally Ride (2000) and
"Good Morning America" host Robin
Roberts (2014) are among those who have christened a
Goodyear blimp. Akron native
Savannah James served as the most
recent christener of Wingfoot Two in 2016.
About Goodyear
Goodyear is one of the world's largest tire companies. It
employs about 64,000 people and manufactures its products in 48
facilities in 22 countries around the world. Its two Innovation
Centers in Akron, Ohio, and
Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to
develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the
technology and performance standard for the industry. For more
information about Goodyear and its products, go to
www.goodyear.com/corporate.
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SOURCE The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company