Life
In a fusion of aviation prowess and literary ambition, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Marwan Al Maktoum, Dubai’s pioneering first Royal female police pilot, has soared to new heights.
With the release of her debut children’s book, ‘When She Took To The Sky,’ Sheikha Mozah is not only rewriting the rules of ambition, but she is also changing the narratives that shape young minds.
Through an exclusive interview, we delve into her remarkable journey from breaking gender barriers in aviation to inspiring the next generation of young women to reach for the skies.
Can you share the inspiration behind your debut children’s book?
The future leaders of tomorrow – the youth. I wanted to convey my encouragement to young women to go out and pursue their dreams, and I think the best way for me to do that was to highlight the stories of inspiring female aviators throughout history. I wanted to impart courage and strength to the young women of tomorrow to chase their passions – be it aviation, or any field.
As Dubai’s pioneering first Royal female police pilot, how did your experience influence the narrative of your book?
My aviation journey was challenging in many ways but immensely rewarding. As a young woman entering a male-dominated field, I had to put in twice the effort compared to my male peers to make my presence felt. But it never got me down – I was motivated to put in the work and make myself stand out because ultimately, I believed in my dream to be in the sky. The stories of the women all over the world who came before me and broke the glass ceiling were so inspiring to me, and I just felt like I had to retell their stories to honour them and inspire the future generation. They were a testament to the fact that women can do anything men can do and that flying does not categorise anyone based on gender – which is something I have always believed in.
What message do you hope to convey to young girls through your book, particularly in terms of breaking gender stereotypes in aviation?
The sky offers limitless possibilities for all, and anyone can fly and experience that regardless of gender. I want young women to find strength and courage within the stories from When She Took To The Sky. Especially in aviation where women as a group are so underrepresented, it is important to know their history and the remarkable feats of women who were here before us – their work has led the way for more women to make their mark in aviation, including me, in more ways than one.
Can you tell us about some of the remarkable female aviators you feature in your book?
When She Took To The Sky consists of stories of inspiring women in aviation from the world and the region. From Rosina Ferrario, the first Italian female pilot, to Helene Dutrieu, the first woman to fly a seaplane, and Lotfia Elnadi, the first Arab woman to become a pilot – all their stories highlight incredible grit and unwavering determination. Their desire to fly motivated them to overcome the many obstacles that stood in their way. The young generation needs to know their stories and their contributions to the field of aviation, because not only is it a way to honour their fearlessness and grit – but also because their stories are a reminder that nothing is impossible.
How do you believe literature, particularly children’s literature, can contribute to empowering the next generation of young women in aviation?
I believe literature, especially children’s literature, can mould young minds to pursue their goals and passions with determination. Young girls today should know that they can do anything they set their mind to – and so many women did the same thing before them. Literature can introduce strong positive role models to young women at an early age. Apart from highlighting strong role models, literature can serve as a reminder to let young women know they can dream big because there is a vast world out there that awaits them. Storytelling can inspire young women to not let themselves tire at obstacles but rather to persevere and fight them and emerge victorious.
What challenges did you face in your journey as a female pilot, and how do you address these challenges in your book?
I set out to become a trained pilot at a young age. Being amidst much older peers was daunting at first, along with the academic requirements. My instructors were also keen that I worked for my wings the right way, and not through privilege. And at many points, I had it harder than my peers who were male. But with time I was able to rise above and go on to thrive as a pilot up in the skies because that goal was what kept me motivated. The stories I have compiled in When She Took to The Sky are stories that give me the courage to keep moving forward as a woman in aviation. I did not have any female role models to look up to when I was young and did not want that to be the case for young girls today.
Your career has been filled with groundbreaking achievements. How does it feel to add ‘author’ to your list of accomplishments?
Thank you. It is an honour to be an author and to be a storyteller. I hope that my work in aviation and as an author can motivate and inspire more young women to reach for the sky (literally or figuratively).
Could you share some insights into your writing process, did any personal anecdotes or experiences influence the story?
When I usually speak at events, I realise that many people do not know about female firsts in aviation. I observed something similar when I would sit down and converse with my family, and they were so surprised by the fact that these women go way back in aviation history. They are awed by the fact that these women had to step up and pursue their dreams and not be kept at bay. Did you know that Fiorenza De Bernardi, the first European woman (Italian) to become a commercial airline pilot, is alive to this day? This is what led me to write a book to honour and highlight these women’s stories.
What advice would you give to young girls who aspire to pursue careers in aviation?
I would like to tell them perseverance goes a long way, and to bravely face any obstacle they encounter. Every pilot dreams of their first solo flight and being up in the sky all alone is an extraordinary experience that will make all the hard work, and challenges worth it. There may be times when you may have to work twice as hard to make a mark, but that effort will always pay off in the end.
What do you hope readers, both young and old, will take away from your book?
Ultimately, I would like the main takeaway from my book to be to go after your dreams relentlessly and bravely take on challenges – both to children and adults alike. Having a dream or a goal and putting in the work to make it happen is a hugely rewarding feeling and I hope everyone who reads my book gets to experience that.
This is The Authenticity Issue – what does authenticity mean to you?
For me, authenticity is defined by how passionate a person is about their dreams and is keen on putting in the work to make it happen, and the kind of attitude they adopt towards making their dreams a reality. I live by the motto that your altitude is determined by your attitude, and a positive and determined attitude can take anyone to great heights.
