African female pilots are flying high around the world.
And evens social media has taken note of their greatness. A picture of a South Sudanese pilot is trending and everyone is praising her.
Here is a list of female of East Africa’s pilots who are breaking the glass ceiling:
1. Amel Ajongo
Just recently, Amel Ajongo became South Sudan’s second female pilot at 20-years-old.
Furthermore, she was the only woman in her class even after it had started with 8 women in a class of 11.
She has also encouraged other women not to limit themselves and to work hard to achieve their set goals.
Ajongo joins the ranks of the first female pilot of South Sudan, Captain Aluel Bol, who made history in 2011.
2. Captain Aluel Bol
Aluel Bol Aluenge was celebrated as South Sudan’s first female pilot in 2011.
Even more, she has risen to position of Captain at major American airline company Delta Air Lines after previously working with Ethiopian Airlines and Fly Dubai.
3. Irene Koki Mutungi
Irene Koki Mutungi, commonly known as Koki Mutungi, was the first female on the African continent to become certified as a Captain of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
She flies for Kenya Airways.
In 1995, she was hired by Kenya Airways, as their first female pilot. In 2004, she became the first African woman to qualify to captain a commercial aircraft, when she qualified to command the Boeing 737.
Likewise, she’s qualified to command the Boeing 767.
Kenya Airways then promoted her to Captain of the B787, making her the first African female Boeing 787 Captain in the world.
4. Elizabeth Marami
Elizabeth Marami made history by becoming the Kenya’s first marine pilot after she completed an intensive training at the prestigious marine training college in Alexandria, Egypt.
She is often the only female on board for sometimes 18 months at a time;
And mutual respect and being a team player keeps her and the team in good standing as in like in most professional settings.
She started an initiative for women in the maritime industry called ‘Against The Tide’.
5. Esther Mbabazi
Esther Mbabazi is a professional commercial airline pilot in Rwanda.
She is the first female in Rwanda to become certified as a commercial airline pilot.
Also, she flies for RwandAir-Rwanda’s national airline.