"Recognizing Our Champions of Change on International Women's Day"

As we celebrate International Women's Day, it's essential to reflect on the progress we have made and recognize those who have paved the way for us. Women like our mothers, grandmothers, and the trailblazers who fought for equality, have played a significant role in shaping our lives and opportunities. It's essential to acknowledge their sacrifices and continue to build on their legacy.

For me, reflecting on my journey as a pilot, I recognized the challenges of being the only woman in the room during my flight training. But I recognize the importance of having a supportive network of male pilots who were my champions of change. They helped me overcome the obstacles and achieve my goals without bias or discrimination. Their support and encouragement were instrumental in my success.

My personal experience highlights the importance of supporting each other on our journeys. It doesn't matter whether we're men or women; we all need help and support to succeed. As women, we must continue to support and uplift each other, recognizing that our success is not a zero-sum game. By helping others, we create a ripple effect that benefits us all.

For women continue to climb the ladder of success, it's also essential that they reach back and pull up another female to stand with them. The journey can be lonely without a supportive network of women who understand the unique challenges that women face in male-dominated industries. By mentoring and supporting other women, we not only create a supportive community but also increase the number of women in leadership positions. This, in turn, benefits all women and future generations.

But most importantly, we must always recognize and thank the men who have supported us on our journey towards gender equality. These men, our champions of change, have stood by us and fought for our rights and opportunities without bias or discrimination. Without their support and allyship, we would not have been able to make the progress we have made.

It's crucial to acknowledge that gender equality is not just a women's issue, but a societal issue. Men have an essential role to play in creating a world where women have equal opportunities to succeed. By acknowledging and thanking our male allies, we create a culture of inclusivity, where everyone is encouraged to support and uplift each other.

On this International Women's Day, I not only celebrate the achievements of my female counterparts, but I recognize and thank the men who have had my back and fought alongside us for gender equality. (You all know who you are!)

Let us continue to work together towards creating a world where every woman has the opportunity to reach her full potential and let's celebrate our achievements and use this day to inspire and empower future generations of women.