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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, August 22, 2014 | 4 Aerospace pioneer recipient of Northern Lights Award by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff An Oakville aerospace pioneer will be among those receiving the Elsie MacGill Northern Lights Award during a special ceremony in Vaughan on Sept. 26. Eva Martinez, director at Oakville's UTC Aerospace Systems-Landing Gear, is being recognized for her career in the aerospace field, which saw her become an aeronautical engineer, serve as Canada's first female military observer and, ultimately, become a director for one of the world's largest suppliers of technologically-advanced aerospace and defence products. The Elsie MacGill Northern Lights Award, named after the world's first female aircraft designer, recognizes outstanding women in aviation and aerospace to inspire and encourage increased participation in these industries by heightening their visibility as role models; promoting awareness of the vast opportunities in all sectors; and ensuring organizations recognize and benefit from women's diverse talents. "I was very surprised. The nomination went in without me even knowing about it. It's always exciting to learn that someone feels that way, that you are worthy of being nominated," said Martinez. "To learn that I had actually been selected was definitely a surprise." Martinez said her interest in aviation be- gan at a young age and led her to join Air Cadets at the age of 14 with the hope of becoming a pilot. Fairly quickly, however, Martinez's career took a turn toward leadership. During Air Cadets, she took senior leadership courses before taking command of her squadron. The fact that she wore glasses hampered dreams of flying with the Canadian Forces. However, Martinez found a new calling and graduated from the Royal Military College of Canada and the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Engineering Management and a specialty in Aerospace. "I decided to go the route of aeronautical engineering so I was basically on the ground fixing the airplanes. That was the career path that I took and it was amazing," said Martinez. "I did a tour in Greenwood, N.S., with a search and rescue squadron and did OJT (on job training) all across Canada on almost all of Canada's aviation fleet." Martinez would serve in the Royal Canadian Air Force from 1989-2002 as an aeronautical engineer, retiring with the rank of Major. During this military career she helped the Chilean Air Force and the Guatemalan Army with the integration of women in their respective militaries. In 1996, she also participated in the Unit- Oakville resident Eva Martinez, UTC Aerospace Systems-Landing Gear director, is the recipient of the Elsie MacGill Northern Lights Awards. She will be honoured at a special ceremony Sept. 26. | photo by Claudia Mascia ed Nations Mission to Guatemala as Canada's first female military observer as part of an international contingent responsible for overseeing a ceasefire following the end of a 36-year-old civil war. "That was probably the highlight of my military career," said Martinez. "Various Spanish-speaking officers from around the world -- there were 155 of us -- came together in Guatemala to oversee the ceasefire. There were six verification centres set up across the country where we would receive the ex-combatants, the guerillas. They would come to these camps and we would take their weapons, their ammunition, their uniforms, and, in exchange, they would be given civilian clothing, a small allowance and basically an identity as a citizen." The mission was expected to take six months, but was carried out in just three months. see First p. 5 Pre-K to Grade 12 Reading Writing Math Study Skills French SAT/ACT Prep Oxford Learning is... A Smarter Full Day Summer Camps available at Oakville North location. Summer Whether your child needs to catch up or get ahead this summer, Oxford Learning can help! e l a S r e m o f Sum s y a D Hazy 3 3 3 Best Sunrooms Best Awnings Best Windows & Doors 2006-2013 2013 2002-2013 All Ages. All Grades. All Subjects. oxfordlearning.com i te s b e W W E N r u to i si V Oakville South Oakville North Oakville North East 905.849.4027 905.469.1929 905.616.9444 qsiw indows.com tion, has not r of this promo way. any n's is not a sponso *** Tim Horto zes and does not endorse it in provided the pri 175 Nebo Rd 905-575-8078 Hamilton . Toll-Free 1-866-575-8078 **Offer not applicable on basement window or storm door purchases. Offer valid only on purchases made between July 1st 2013 to August 31st 2014. qsiwindows.com R0012860069 Enrol Today!