Historic Beverly Takes Off With 'Women In Aviation'

Press release from Beverly Regional Airport:

April 15, 2021

In 1928 Amelia Earhart became the first female to cross the Atlantic by airplane. In that same year, the City of Beverly built the Beverly Regional Airport.

Built through the efforts of the Beverly Aero Club and the Beverly Chamber of Commerce, the airport was commissioned and operated by the US Navy during World War II. In August of 1941, a rededication of the Beverly airport was held to officially open and celebrate New England’s longest paved runway. The airfield was upgraded and a new asphalt runway was added in 1943. Decommissioned in 1945 as a military facility, the airport was transferred back to the city in 1950.

Beverly Airport is well known in the aviation industry. According to the city’s Master Plan, the airport’s control tower won the Facility of the Year award from the 2018 Midwest Air Traffic Control (ATC) Service, and has experienced 50% growth over the last five years. Hollywood has visited the airport, filming scenes there for the 1990s films The Perfect Storm and The Proposal. Recent books such as Fly Girls have reinvigorated interest in the many woman pioneers in aviation.

Did you know that Beverly has had its own woman in aviation? Airport Manager since 2018, Gloria Bouillon, is a commercial, instrument rated pilot with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management from Dowling College, School of Aviation and Associates Degree in Aviation Science, Professional Pilot. She serves on the Board of Directors for the North Shore Chamber of Commerce and Massachusetts Airport Managers Association, the Community Advisory Committee for MassPort and on its Environmental and Health subcommittee, and participates in various economic development committees.

Gloria has accomplished much at the airport in a short time due to her varied background. Previously #8 in the state in their category for airport operations, it’s now #2, and her diligent work on the Master Plan will help to set, and measure, airport goals for the next 20 years. With its positive reputation and an annual economic impact of over $34 million, Beverly Regional Airport is poised for growth and success.

Additionally, Gloria enjoys mentoring other woman and loves to fly people in her personal aircraft and show them the wonders of aviation. Beverly’s first female airport manager truly has her eyes on the sky but her feet on the ground!

This press release was produced by Beverly Regional Airport. The views expressed are the author's own.