Why I Race
Well before I became a mom, I realized there was a disconnect with how girls are raised here in the United States and, to me, it seemed as though an even more formidable barrier existed for young girls growing up in low to no income communities. It became very apparent when I was living in a small town in Mississippi. A Title 1 school teacher friend told me that a young student, maybe fourth grade or so, responded with the following when asked, "What do you want to do when you grow up?" She replied, "Make babies and collect checks."
As I sit here writing this, I hesitate posting this, however, it needs to be known. There is nothing wrong with babies or collecting a check as a hard working employee. However, how is this mindset okay for a fourth grader? How is this okay that our children especially our girls believe this is the best option in life?
Why do I say our children? Because, I believe, it's a collective responsibility to raise the children in our community to excel and achieve their maximum potential; to follow their dreams. Why follow something as childish sounding as a dream? I believe that those who follow their hearts, follow their calling in life. If it is what they love to do, then the opportunities are endless with a multitude of gifts and skills to offer their communities. I also believe supporting, inspiring, and encouraging our children, youth, young adults, and even adults to follow their dreams may help curb the violence that seems to be erupting from the streets across the world.
This is why I race. This is why I choose the organizations I do. Our mission for Team Amelia's Aviatrices is to continue the mission of our Dreams of Wings event that Lisa and I organized for our local Mississippi community in 2013. Dreams of Wings was an event to inspire and encourage women and girls to pursue their dreams within the exciting world of aviation and aerospace. Dreams of Wings may not exist as an event anymore, but Lisa and I are not done.
I am living it out as volunteer and avid supporter of an exceptional organization called Aviation Adventures, Inc. (AAI) Aviation Adventures' mission is "to provide aviation education and career development for women and disadvantaged youth, especially girls. Emphasizing STEM education concepts, we encourage young people to apply this knowledge in preparation for careers in all aspects of aviation, including clerical, technical, management and pilot careers. Our programs emphasize using aviation to enhance self esteem, and to promote team building, and leadership training." They are doing amazing work, helping young girls discover their dreams. They are even saving lives because young girls are realizing they are important and they are needed. They have gifts to share with the world!
The second organization I have dedicated much of my time is to The Ninety-Nines' Mommy Pilots. This is an new effort to create a supportive environment for moms with kids of all ages, pregnant, hope-to-start-a-family, who are pilots, and want-to-be pilots. Once again, it's bringing together a community of women. It's empowering to know you are not alone, to know your dreams are not silly, to know you can raise a family yet still be your own individual beautiful self. Supporting other moms, so they can fulfill their dreams not only helps the mom but her children. When children see that their mom, or any parent, is happy and fulfilled, they are subconsciously and consciously learning what it takes to do the same in their lives. If someone is living an unfulfilled life, then it can wreak havoc not only on the individual, but their loved ones, their friends, and their community.
There is no shame in finding fulfillment as a stay at home mom. There is no shame in finding fulfillment working a full or part time job and still being a mom. And that is exactly why Mommy Pilots was formed. To support a woman as she is and where she is and where she wants to go.
So I race to be a role model. Because without role models, how else will a young girl know the opportunity exists? Yes, some girls may already have their hearts and minds set, but what about those girls that aren't sure yet?
I race to show that a mom can balance her life with her needs and her family's needs. It may not be able to be done all at the same time, but it's finding that balance. And, yes, finding that balance can be downright ugly. It also all comes back to community. It takes a community to raise a child and to support each other.
I race to bring back community.
