Breaking the Silence – The Importance of Speaking Up About Women’s Health in Aviation

This past weekend, Charlie and I attended the FlyPink Gala Dinner in Sydney —a special evening dedicated to raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research. It was an event filled with hope, strength, and the unwavering determination to support a cause that touches so many lives. For me, it carried an even more personal weight, as a close family member is currently battling breast cancer and is about to begin radiation treatment. Seeing firsthand the bravery and resilience required to fight this disease, I am reminded of how critical it is to continue supporting research that will one day save even more lives.

At the dinner, I had the privilege of speaking with many incredible women, many of them pilots like myself. As our conversations unfolded, a recurring theme emerged—how difficult it can be to talk about women’s health issues, particularly in an industry like aviation. The stigma and fear surrounding these conversations, especially when it comes to medical concerns, are all too real.

For many women in aviation, there’s a lingering fear that speaking up about health issues—whether it’s breast cancer, mental health, or other personal struggles—could lead to repercussions from colleagues, or worse, the potential loss of their medical certification and their career. These fears can force women to stay silent, hiding their challenges and battling them alone, rather than seeking the support they need and deserve.

This highlights a critical issue within our industry that extends far beyond physical health—it’s about the culture of silence that still surrounds personal struggles in aviation. We need to create a space where aviators of all genders feel empowered to talk openly about their health without fear of being judged or penalized. Mental health, in particular, has long been a sensitive topic in aviation, but we’re beginning to see some progress as the industry acknowledges the importance of supporting pilots both in the cockpit and beyond it.

As we fight to break these barriers, we need to advocate for more open conversations and create an environment where people feel safe discussing issues like breast cancer, mental health, and other personal challenges. The more we normalize these discussions, the more support we can provide—and ultimately, the stronger we become as an industry.

This is why the work being done through initiatives like FlyPink is so crucial. Not only are we raising funds for research, but we are also raising awareness and breaking down the walls of silence that too often prevent people from seeking help. Every conversation we have, every story we share, brings us one step closer to a more inclusive, compassionate, and supportive industry.

We owe it to ourselves, and to the future generation of pilots, to ensure that no one feels they must suffer in silence. Together, we can break the stigma, fight for better health support, and ensure that no pilot is left behind—physically, mentally, or emotionally.

FlyPink isn’t just a campaign—it’s a movement for change. Let’s keep the conversation going.