Why 'Pilot in Pink?'

As a girl in aviation, I always found myself as a minority in the male dominated field.  I'll never forget the day I showed up for my University's Flight Team Trials - I was a freshman, and determined to make a good impression I went in a pink dress (my favorite color), heels, and curled hair.  As soon as I walked in the room, some of the guys yelled "Look, Elle Woods is here!". 

Like any other girl, I I thought they were complimenting me on my good fashion and motivation - I mean, every sorority girl aspires to be like Elle!  ...but of course, they were making fun of me.  I even overheard someone say "Look at this girl, all dressed up and in heels for a competitive flight team meeting.."

Nonetheless, my positive attitude took their taunting as a compliment - and used it to boost my motivation.  It lit a fire under my butt.  At the regional flight team competition, I ended up scoring higher than the guys did - sound familiar?  I know how Elle must have felt when she outsmarted Warner and won that case!

After realizing that hard work could pay off and genders didn't matter... I knew as a girl in aviation, I had plenty of opportunities.  I also decided that, if I was getting teased for being girly - why not show off how girly I am?  Ever since then, I tote around a monogrammed flight bag, and run around the aviation department in my pink suit.  I'm now proud to be the "Aviation Elle Woods".  Pink is my favorite color and signature color - so I've come to embrace my nickname that was once an insult.

I got a pink suit eventually - and won an award in it.  Look who's laughing now?!