It stands to reason that after teaching for so many years I would have the pleasure of seeing students grow up into amazing young adults who would approach the world with a ferociousness I could only be proud of. I find myself feeling a bit of maternal pride as I see their accomplishments updated on their Facebook feeds — the graduation announcements, wedding announcements, baby pictures, the sighs of relief after bar exams are completed (and passed). I send them house warming gifts when they excitedly move into their first homes and grieve with them when they’ve lost loved ones. We experience a strange threshold crossing together when we pass through the doorway from teacher and student to peer and then to friend.
I’ve written letters of recommendation and I’ve proofread scholarship essays. Sometimes I am asked for advice on girls or boys who then become spouses. And every once in a while I am asked to become a part of something extraordinary.
The Extraordinary Begins
I not only taught Erin but I also taught her sister Makinsie, two girls who could force the earth to revolve around the moon if they were so determined. They are blessed with parents who have taught them that they can accomplish anything if they worked hard enough and, more than that, will support their daughters to be successful. I have loved teaching these young women. In fact, I wrote about Makinsie not too long ago when she began fundraising for Smile Train — the nonprofit she chose to raise money for her second Ironman competition. That’s right, her second Ironman.
Erin came to me a couple weeks letting me in on a little goal of hers:
I want to be the youngest female aviator to circumnavigate the globe.
I want to break the record. Can you help me?
Hell Yes!
How could I turn Erin down when I have absolutely no knowledge of aviation, promotion, proposals, or how to raise a substantial amount of money? However, I do know that women represent only 6% of pilot population and that is not okay. Erin wants to part of a new generation of female aviators, inspiring other girls and young women to get into the captain’s seat — where they belong. If I can help her accomplish this goal then I will learn everything I can to make it happen.
One Flight. One Globe. One Vision.
The sky is for equal opportunity dreamers and Erin has set her sights on taking off on an historic flight that will take her around the globe in approximately 10-14 days. She plans to share flight experiences via podcasts, webcasts, and a blog so that elementary schools can see what she is seeing and experience what she is experiencing. Through today’s technology Erin hopes to inspire tomorrow’s aviators. I hope she knows she has already inspired yesterday’s teachers.
I hope all of you will follow Erin Davis, Aviator in her quest to become the youngest female aviator by following her on Twitter, Instagram and her Facebook page.
Published by ShadowTeamsNYC and represented by Lisa Hagen Books
- Recovery From Quarantine - November 9, 2020
- Inspiration in Quarantine - April 30, 2020
- By the Moon’s Light - March 17, 2020
Wow! Those girls are an inspiration to us all! More girls need to think larger than life. Too many sell themselves short and don’t think beyond the typical and ordinary. Those who do extra-ordinary things aren’t necessarily gifted but think outside the box. Girl Power!!! Shoot for the stars and you don’t know where you will end up but you could be pleasantly surprised.
I have loved being a part of your girls’ lives as their teacher and I love being a part of their dreams as young women. Thank you for raising such incredible people.
Thank you for being an inspiration to me, as a wonderful teacher and most of all, friend. Ive learned a lot by reading your articles and blog, and I’ve come to realize that women have a lot more power than what the world recognizes us for, and it’s time to get credit for what we as women can do.
Makinisie you have no idea how much you have made my day. You’re right, women have so much more power than the world the world gives them credit for and what an empowering message that is when we recognize how much we have to offer the world.