Wings Foundation is proud to recognize the impact that LGBTQ+ individuals have had on history and the continued efforts of those individuals and allies to create positive change in their communities through advocacy and policy change.
The Wings Foundation logo changes colors only two months of the year: In June for Pride Month and in October in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Left: Penelope Devereaux, Liquor Mini, and Barbie Doll open the show
Right: Barbie Doll and Penelope Devereaux
After a 20-year hiatus from Lip Sync in Chicago event planning team Elia Martinez and Bryan Crowe thought 2020 would be the perfect year to bring it back. While we know the pandemic had other plans for 2020, Elia and Bryan kept their lip sync dreams alive through lock down. On May 18th the doors of the Baton Show Lounge opened for what was sure to be a spectacular show and the crowd was not disappointed.
Hosts Liquor Mini (Danny Cabrera) and Barbie Doll (Bryan Crowe) along with all of the performers brought top level energy and passion to the stage. The sold-out show raised more than $12,500 in donations, including a $1,500 donation from the guests representing Wings Foundation’s corporate sponsor Barclays.
Special thanks to event organizers Elia Martinez, Bryan Crowe and Danny Cabrera
for making this event a huge success!
Right: Liquor Mini wearing the famous Barclays AAdvantage Mastercard gown
Middle: Performer group photo, Left: Barbie Doll introducing the next act
Left: ORD Volunteers backstage
Middle: Event co-chairs Elia Martinez and Bryan Crowe (Barbie Doll)
Right: ORD Term Director Lauri Zamin and Advisory Director of Sponsorships and Endeavors Stephanie McKee
Elia Martinez had high praise for all involved with the fundraiser:
“This event was years in the making. We began planning pre-pandemic with the hope of a 2020 show. When we had to delay, I was crushed but I can say it was worth the wait. All 14 of our performers put on an incredible show!
I want to give a heartfelt word of thanks to the Chicago volunteers for all their hard work behind the scenes, to Danny Cabrera and Roberto Jimenez-Curiel for helping Bryan and me with the event logistics, and to the Kiwis for donating the VIP gift bags. Lastly, special thanks to Baton Show Lounge owners, Jim Flint and Christophe Chiavazza, for providing the perfect space for the return of Chicago Lip Sync!”
Left: Penelope Devereaux, Ava Clear, and Mercury Rising-Cox,
Top Middle: Tess Tickle and Nina Crystal Bottom Middle: Mercury Rising-Cox
Right: Elia Martinez with live auction prize custom beverage bar cart
The Queens are back to bring you a Prom Night to remember!
Philadelphia Lip Sync Revue 2022 is back at Voyeur Nightclub! Put on your most classy or tacky prom attire and see if you will be crowned Prom Royalty. Our hosts for the evening will be iconic entertainers Paula Randall and Liquor Mini. Philadelphia queens Cherry Pop, Fanci DisMount Stratton, and Lady Geisha will welcome performers from Chicago, Dallas and Charlotte.
The evening starts at 7pm with a cocktail happy hour followed by the show at 8pm. Join the 50/50 raffle and live auction for a chance to take home your very own airplane beverage cart or vacation package to St. Croix.
You could hear laughter, squeals of recognition, and see hugs everywhere at the Worthington Hotel in Ft. Worth, Texas.
On April 26th, the 32nd National Kiwi Convention (appropriately named “The Way We Were”) was underway. Kiwi conventions are a time of renewing old friendships, flying partners and roommates reunited, all while remembering the good times with American Airlines. At convention, “catching up” is a priority. And since this was the 70th anniversary of The Kiwi Club, catching up was on fire!
About 300 current and former flight attendants began their 3-day escape from job, family, and responsibility. The non-stop events included the50thanniversary reunion party of training classes 1969-72, a luncheon with guest speaker Brady Byrnes (VP of American Airlines Flight Service), a trip to the training center, then on to the CR Smith Museum.
Clockwise from top left: Wings President Anne Elfant (L) and Director of Sponsorships/Endeavors Stephanie McKee (R) mix with a couple of Kiwis in the hotel lobby; Captain Beverley Bass was on hand autographing her new book; Reception before luncheon; Convention Chair Marge Holmes receives roses and some love for her tireless efforts pulling all the pieces together.
Clockwise from top left: Kiwis got to see the latest at the training center; Next up, the CR Smith Museum and it's many facets of the airline's history; At the banquet, Kiwis still actively flying the line get a group photo; One chapter group coordinated in sparkly silver,
complementing the fabulous table decorations.
Chapter delegates elected the 2022-2024 national executive board, with Stephanie Butler of the O’Hare Chapter as our new president. Kiwis also enjoyed the sights of Ft. Worth, with lots of shopping and wonderful Texas eateries. The closing banquet with so many beautiful, dressed-to-the-nines Kiwis in attendance was an evening of entertainment, good food, and lots of adult beverages. Friday morning came much too soon, and the 70th Anniversary party came to an end. Goodbye hugs and promises to attend the 2024 convention could be seen everywhere in gathering areas and the lobby of the hotel.
We hope to see you at our 2024 National Convention ... Stay tuned for details!
Mary Richter Thrasher Editor, The Kiwi Kaleidoscope
The Kiwi Club is a social and charitable organization for former and current American Airlines and American Eagle Flight Attendants, including those Flight Attendants from airlines acquired by or merged with American Airlines.
The Kiwi Club has supported Wings Foundation as its National Endeavor since 1996, donating more than $660,425.00 as of January 2022. We are honored by the dedication of the Kiwis for including Wings in their charitable ventures, which are many.
Wings Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is formed and managed by American Airlines flight attendants. Wings Foundation provides financial grants to American Airlines flight attendants who are in critical need of financial assistance due to illness, injury, or disability; or who sustain damage to their primary residence by a natural disaster or catastrophic event.
