The official award was presented by the CEO of Alaska Ben Minicucci, in Seattle, at Alaska’s corporate Headquarters on October 25, 2021
I’m not old enough to be a Legend!” Andrea exclaimed when told she was receiving Alaska Airlines’ highest honor at a luncheon this spring in Los Angeles, The Award was s particularly meaningful as Andrea comes from a whole family of leaders in the aviation industry. Her grandfather, Vernon Mitchell was inducted into the Washington State Aviation Hall of Fame as a Pioneer in Aviation and trained many pilots at Alaska Airlines and other major carriers.
He, along with her Grandmother, Opal, ran a flight school in Ellensburg, WA called Midstate Aviation. Andrea’s uncle, Ron Mitchell continued this great legacy, also training pilots and earning countless honors in aviation.
Andrea’s mom was a stewardess for Western Airlines, and her stories of flying inspired Andrea to follow in that path. Andrea said, “She has been a cheerleader and support to me my entire life. This award reflects the prayers and encouragement from my parents, family and many others.”
Andrea is on the Board for Airline Ambassadors and co-directs our human trafficking program with Donna Hubbard.“We are so proud of Andrea, who has distinguished herself as a humanitarian & a passionate advocate for human trafficking awareness,” said Nancy Rivard, AAI President.
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Andrea has also been a huge support to another hero, Ibrahim Bangura in Sierra Leone, helping to facilitate the return of 48 girls trafficked to Kuwait last year. She also helps coordinate the sponsorship program for Sierra Cares Foundation and personally sponsors two trafficking victims there a well as one of the orphans.
Andrea represented Airline Ambassadors International at the virtual film festival in Los Angeles, where she also highlighted our efforts to help trafficking victims in Sierra Leone.
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Andrea helped provide Anti-human trafficking trainings for Air Aisa in Manila, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Bangkok.
Based on our inspiration, Air Asia just launched their on line training and webinar on Aug. 27, 2020.
Thank you dear Andrea. You are a BLESSING to all who know you!
