At our recent Southwest Florida Chapter meeting, members were deeply moved by the story of Niloofar Rahmani, Afghanistan’s first female pilot. Growing up under Taliban rule, her family faced many struggles. She was not allowed to attend school until the age of 11. Determined to achieve her dream of flying, she joined the Afghan military, defying tradition, enduring relentless death threats, and facing harsh rejection from society and her extended family. Her determination, along with the support of her parents, enabled Niloofar to persevere against all odds, becoming a captain and flying for the Afghan Air Force. She received the U.S. Department of State’s International Women of Courage award. Her memoir, Open Skies, chronicles both her personal journey and the broader struggles of Afghanistan.
