DEI attacks can thicken glass ceilings

Women’s History Month began as a way to honour women’s contributions throughout time. It was meant to commemorate their “firsts” and perhaps more importantly, to inspire future generations of ladies to achieve greatness. Unfortunately, that second objective is in danger. If politicians and businesses continue to abandon diversity, equity and inclusive (DEI) measures, which have helped qualified underrepresented people gain access to career opportunities, the next generation of history-makers could be drastically delayed. And, what’s more, integration in professional fields may never be achieved. This is true of many industries, but I often think about how gender disparity shows up in the aviation field because my eight-year-old daughter wants to be a pilot, just like her dad. According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, women make up just 4.6% of all aircraft pilots. If my daughter were to join their ranks tomorrow, she would be among the less than 1% of them that industry groups estimate are Black women. The numbers are even bleaker for Asian and Latino women.

We should call these figures what they are: a failure of the aviation industry. If it’s routine for a person to step on an airplane and fly anywhere in the world, it shouldn’t be atypical for a woman to step on that same airplane and fly it. There are several reasons for the lack of progress. Money is a major barrier. It can cost up to $100,000 to obtain all the hours, licenses and ratings to fly for an airline. Traditional financial aid and federal funding are not available for aviation schools because many of them are not degree-granting institutions. The lifestyle can also be a hurdle. Commercial pilots who fly for the airlines or cargo companies often travel for days at a time, and their schedules can be unpredictable. For women who are primary caregivers, it’s a career path that may not be feasible or sustainable.

Going into aviation often requires mentorship and pipelines that can lower these barriers to entry — a marker of DEI initiatives. And for those who think DEI is synonymous with unqualified, consider that all commercial pilots must obtain at least 1,500 hours of “pilot in command” time, which is logged training when you’re in control of the airplane. The extensive flight training means that all pilots who obtain their hours are qualified. There is no skipping the line — 1,500 hours is 1,500 hours. While women have made stellar accomplishments in aerospace — the names of famed pilots such as Amelia Earhart, Jacqueline Cochran and Bessie Coleman circulate every Women’s History Month — sustained progress remains elusive. The sad truth is that for a majority of the last century, America has been a dominant force in every facet of air and space, yet women in this country are still being left behind — stuck in a period of firsts and onlies as if they’ve just begun.

This is a pattern in many other industries that remain imbalanced. Men still dominate computer science, engineering, finance, construction, clergy, and film and TV production to name a few. Yet careers that are dominated by women — teachers, dental hygienists, administrative assistants, hairstylists and childcare workers — are also grossly underpaid. It will take institutional investment, and in a politically hostile environment, courage, to change these statistics. Next year, America will celebrate its 250th birthday. In a true democracy, and a land in which everyone is entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, no industry should be dominated by one race, sex or class. Representation matters for several reasons, but at the top of the list is this: It provides diverse perspectives that help to keep society evolving. Women have proven this for generations by leading movements that have improved the lives of all.

What is space exploration without the work of Eileen Collins and Katherine Johnson? What is the airline industry without the work of June Morris and Bonnie Tiburzi? What is military achievement without the Women’s Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs)? What is the abolitionist movement without Harriet Tubman or Lydia Maria Child? What was the suffrage movement without Ida B. Wells or Sojourner Truth? What is the Civil Rights Movement without Rosa Parks or Diane Nash? What is the disabilities movement without Judy Heumann or Alice Wong? When the first man landed on the moon, it was because space was a national priority. The increase of women in any field, but particularly marginalised fields, must remain a top priority for this nation. The work is not done. Not even close. Celebrating Women’s History Month is more than honoring achievements or declaring “mission accomplished,” it’s a challenge and a charge to keep going.