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March is International Women’s Month and in the following timely interview, the British Afro-Caribbean weekly, The Voice, features Ethiopian pilots Captain Amsale Gualu and Captain Tigist Kibret. As the publication notes, these two women “have defied the statistics to get their wings, and they hope that more young women around the world will be inspired by their success.” (Voice online)
The voice
International Women’s Month: Meet Ethiopian High-Flying Pilots Amsale Gualu and Tigist Kibret
Captain Amsale Gualu is inspired by the pioneers who preceded her and would like to change perceptions of society.
In a field dominated by men, becoming a pilot is a feat in itself. The International Society of Women Pilots estimates that of the world’s 130,000 pilots, only 4,000, or three percent, are women.
But two Ethiopian women, Captain Amsale Gualu and Captain Tigist Kibret, have defied the statistics to get their wings, and they hope that more young women from around the world will be inspired by their success.
In December 2017, the couple made history by being part of the world’s first all-female crew for a special Ethiopian Airlines flight from Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa to Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria.
The 13-member crew, overseen by Captain Amsale Gualu and then-First Officer Tigist Kibret, carried 391 passengers to the Nigerian capital in a Boeing B777-300 ER, on an innovative trip that lasted four and a half hours.
As part of The Voice’s feature celebrating amazing black women, we spoke with the two pioneers and discussed their ambitions, personal lives, and hopes for the future.
First, we speak with Captain Amsale Gualu, who says she is inspired by the pioneers who preceded her and would like to change perceptions in society.
What are your hobbies?
I have several hobbies. I love traveling and discovering new places. I enjoy being physically active by doing yoga and occasionally swimming. I also like to design and decorate in my spare time.
What advice would you give a young woman aspiring to a male-dominated career?
I would advise that being a girl or a woman should not prevent them from doing what they want. Not that things are difficult, but we dare not try it in the first place. If something hasn’t been done before, it doesn’t mean it can’t be done, it’s just a matter of perspective and practice.
If you were asked to name three role models in your life, who would they be and why?
First of all, my parents who supported me a lot, encouraged me and gave me the confidence to achieve my dream. Second, Muluembet Emiru was the first Ethiopian woman to fly an airplane in the 1930s, at a time when such things were unthinkable. And Dr. Catherine Hamlin, an Australian OB / GYN, who came to Ethiopia in 1959 and settled down. She dedicated her life to providing free fistula treatment to a poor woman suffering from premature labor.
Why did you decide to become a pilot?
Since I was a child, I was always curious about airplanes, watching them fly; From the beginning I knew that this was a profession that fascinated me.
Share with our readers one of your greatest accomplishments outside of aviation.
Before joining the pilot training school, I graduated from Addis Ababa University with a BA in Architecture and Urbanism and I still practice it as a hobby and enjoy it.
How do you overcome your fears?
I overcame my fears by taking the time to immerse myself in comprehensive training and understanding of the aircraft’s operation and systems. By doing so, I developed my confidence and conquered my fears.
What is your favorite song and why?
I enjoy listening to Ethiopian and international songs, especially the music of the nineties. I particularly like Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and I also enjoy more modern artists like Ed Sheeran.
What is your favorite traditional Ethiopian dish?
Doro Wot is my favorite traditional Ethiopian food made from chicken with different homemade organic spices.
If you could meet a celebrity, who would it be and why?
Generally, I admire celebrities who overcome obstacles and difficulties, but there is no specific celebrity that I would like to meet.
What has been the biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge, in addition to being a working mother, is to change the perception of society towards the leadership capacity of women.
Captain Tigist Kibret says she is proud and honored to be considered a role model for others, and uses each day to learn and grow further.
Who inspires you to succeed?
My success was the result of the support and love of my family and of the various people I met in my life.
Although I have had different people who have inspired me, my greatest inspiration is my mother, who personifies strength and an open mind.
She never put limitations or ideas on what she could be and who she could become.
What has been your biggest professional challenge and how did you overcome it?
As a pilot, our day-to-day lives are full of challenges, as I am responsible for the lives of passengers and crew on board and the operation of multi-million dollar teams.
Usually I have to deal with rapidly changing situations, which I overcome by putting my training and skills to use.
On top of that, my biggest professional challenge has been during the pandemic, especially in the first season.
It was difficult for us to fly to different parts of the world under restrictions and leave our families behind.
How do you relax in your free time?
I am a wife and a mother, so I spend most of my free hours spending quality time with my husband and children. But when I’m not with my family, my extra hours will be a selection of reading, a coffee with friends, going to the spa or the movies.
Share with our readers one of your greatest achievements.
Being told that I am an inspiration to my colleagues and those I meet is my greatest achievement.
You are a role model for many women around the world, how do you feel about it and what would you say to them?
I am very proud and honored to be a role model for others. And I would tell them; It is never too late to become the person you want to be.
Stumbling should not prevent you from owning what is yours.
How do you stay motivated?
Being a pilot is a motivation, as there is always something new to learn. The latest updates on company training and courses keep me motivated and motivated by the variety of people I meet and learn from on a daily basis, whether they are senior or junior team members.
How do you balance family life with your career?
I try to make the most of my time; As I mentioned earlier, I spend most of my free time with my family. But if no one is home during my days off, I spend it reading, checking emails, and keeping up with my work.
What is your favorite food / dish and do you cook it?
I love almost all Ethiopian food. But my favorite would be Kechin Shiro with Tikus Injera. And yes, I cook it sometimes, it’s easy to cook.
Do you listen to any inspiring music before you fly?
Do not.
Tell us a bit about the training you had to go through to become a pilot.
I went to one of the best aviation schools in Africa (Ethiopian Aviation Academy), which offers various types of training in Aviation, Cargo, Catering, Ground Services, and Maintenance and Overhaul.
After recruitment, I joined the school for a full theoretical, computer-based, simulator and real flight training and various helper courses.
It was one of the unforgettable experiences of my career.
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