Female aviator christens Goodyear's Wingfoot Three blimp

To help mark the historic occasion, Wingfoot Two Senior Pilot Taylor Deen, one of just three female blimp pilots in the world, delivered the champagne bottle Waiz used in the ceremony. The moment served as a reminder that when it comes to aviation and other STEM-related careers, you can find inspiration just about anywhere.

Even the blimp itself can be that inspiration.

"Its power is not really in that it is an ambassador for our brand, but that it is a unifier for our communities," Mr. Kramer said. "Whenever it travels, the blimp always attracts huge crowds of people of all ages and all walks of life who marvel at its combination of science and beauty. That was as true when the first blimp was launched more than 100 years ago as it is today."

When Wingfoot Three took to the skies, Ms. Waiz was there, helping guide the airship toward the clouds from right behind the control panel.

"I did get to fly it," Ms. Waiz said later. "To be blunt: I was not that great at it. I had thought, 'It's a blimp. How much different could it be?'"

It was, Ms. Waiz said, very different. Admittedly, she had trouble keeping the airship's altitude, but Ms. Deen and Chief Pilot Jerry Hissem were there to help.

What struck Ms. Waiz most about the maiden flight, though, was how serene and peaceful it was among the clouds.

"What I loved about it was that you were going just slow enough to look out the window and really appreciate what aviation is all about," Ms. Waiz said. "Being up there (with) that incredible view, looking out of over Ohio, it was the perfect way wrap up the day, with a calm flight."

That view from the gondola is a rare and revealing one.

"Since 1917, the blimps' vision has been about what discoveries are just over the horizon," Mr. Kramer said. "New discoveries and a vision beyond the horizon is what (Ms. Waiz) embodies as well."

A year after completing her solo flight around the globe, Ms. Waiz continues not only to inspire students around the world to pursue aviation and other STEM-related careers, but she also is working to empower them. As founder of Dreams Soar Inc., she is dedicated to encouraging young women to consider careers in aviation, then gives their goals the backing they need to soar.

According to the Dreams Soar website, women are under-represented in STEM-related careers, particularly in aviation. It notes that just 4 percent of the world's pilots are female, and women represent only 24 percent of the globe's STEM professionals.

Ms. Waiz's message to the next generation of STEM leaders is simple: You can do it. No matter what.

It wasn't until the age of 17 that Waiz discovered her passion for aviation. The girl who once had been afraid to fly found the courage to board a commercial airline flight from California to Florida. That six-hour journey changed her life.

"I was terrified, until it started to take off and the wheels came up," Ms. Waiz said. "Once the plane did take off ... and the aircraft started to soar into the sky, I started to find myself being romanced by aviation; I kept falling in love with it.

"Six hours later, when I got to my destination in Florida, I thought this is what I wanted to do. I have never been this passionate about anything in my entire life."

Dreams Soar is dedicated to helping students discover their passion and gives them courage to follow it. A year after circumnavigating the globe on a mission to inspire others, she is working to fund the organization's scholarships to support those seeking jobs in STEM fields.

More so, it's part of helping students overcome their biggest fears — biggest doubts — and reach for their dreams.

"I often share with kids that, sometimes, your biggest fear in life could be your greatest passion," Ms. Waiz said. "And if you don't go after your fears and conquer them, you may never know."