Girl power takes flight
“Who runs the world? Girls!” And this group of women from around the world has something to be proud of as they celebrate girl power and what unites them.
The sisterhood and camaraderie of these female aviators isn’t the only thing they have in common; they all share the same drive and passion for empowering other women and inspiring the next generation.
“When I was little, I would see my aunt who was a flight attendant. She always looked so happy and always had stories to tell about the places she had been,” said ORD-based First Officer Mika Tang. It was important for Mika to not only make something of herself but to share that same smile of her aunt while doing it. She taught a high school aviation history course while she transitioned through the workforce, and finally in 2004, received her commercial pilot’s license.
Mika flew for Mesa Airlines before joining American as a Boeing 737 first officer in 2015. As an African-American woman, Mika wants other young women to know the possibilities are endless for women in any industry. “I admire a lot of women – historic figures like Audrey Lorde and Susan B. Anthony, and those who broke barriers in aviation like Willa Brown, the first African-American woman to earn her pilot's license in the United States,” said Mika. “All of these women have shown that gender is not a barrier.” In addition to volunteering with homeless outreach organizations, Mika has started creating a scholarship aimed at helping young women who dream of aviation careers but may have financial hardships.
The passion for outreach is a common theme among these women. MIA-based First Officer Bethoyia Powell grew up in Jamaica and recalls her mother's dream for her three daughters to have a better education. Not only did Beth complete high school at the age of 16, but she also took her first solo flight. At the age of 17, she became a private pilot and obtained her commercial license at 18. When she turned 21, she was hired by American Eagle, eventually becoming a captain on the ATR42/72 and EMJ. Beth went on to join American in 2014 as a first officer on the B737. Inspired to give back in honor of her mother, she started a scholarship which gives back and mentors kids in aviation. Her message to kids today: "Know what you want at a young age. You will discover this based on the activities and subjects that you are passionate about. Dream big and dream loud then set your goal. Your passion will propel you through your journey. And in the end, you will never feel you worked a day in your life because you are doing what you absolutely love." Beth Powell is known for her community service work with many organizations that benefit the future generation. Her motto is “Work hard and play hard!”
Just as they have been mentored in their careers, Mika and Beth continue to mentor other women and build strong relationships with female pilots. Fellow ORD-based Capt. Janice Anderson described it best: “When you see another female pilot, whether she’s a captain or first officer, there is always a bond. We understand what it took for each of us to get here. It doesn’t have to always be a hello but a simple head nod is an unspoken understanding of respect for one another to be in our positions.” In her 28 years with American and additional time at Northwest Airlines, Janice has seen the growth of women who fly commercial evolve. With a little more than 4,000 female pilots in commercial aviation, Janice appreciates the increased number of women taking on the profession as she mentors through organizations like Women in Aviation, National Gay Pilots Association and Organization of Black Pilots. She is determined to make sure the girl power among women with wings remains by instilling how rewarding the pilot profession is and inspiring young women to fly.
Source: http://news.aa.com/default.asp...
