DALLAS – Being a mother and a pilot is a blessing. Watching my two young daughters become responsible young adults is magical.

I also love having young visitors on the flight deck and seeing their eyes light up when they see all the buttons and switches. Being able to take them to their destination, whether it’s a fun vacation or a family visit, is so rewarding.

To be a pilot and a mother

I am Aruba’s first and only female airline pilot. It’s an honor to be that. It really is. With this also comes the responsibility to inspire more and more women to break down barriers.

I love seeing little girls’ eyes sparkle when I have the chance to talk to them about jet planes. I feel like I know I just planted a seed and maybe one day I’ll be their captain. Boys usually react either surprised or just interested, but in the process, slowly but surely, these stigmas will change.

Women with families can be pilots, plumbers and bankers. Just like men can be nannies and secretaries… see what I did there? I repeated the stigma. It will take time, but at least in the case of my profession, you will see more and more women at the pointy end of the plane.

One of the things the aviation industry has been working on for a few years is the representation of women in the industry. Although significant progress has been made, much remains to be done.

women and aviation

Along with the new breed of female and mother pilots, there are several all-female flights around the world today: all-female flight crew, flight attendants, female maintenance personnel, and air traffic controllers. Keep an eye out; you may only be on one of these flights.

Mother’s Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. And although it is celebrated on different days in many parts of the world, we at Airlines companies celebrate it on the first Sunday in May.

So today, on Mother’s Day, I would like to congratulate all the fabulous mothers in the world; female airline pilots with children, aviators and all aviation enthusiasts.

Featured Image: Captain Marrit Gorter