If you have a dream and you have passion, anything is possible. There will always be ups and downs but those also make you stronger and appreciate your achievements more.
Carlos Velasquez
Carlos Velasquez
Writer by : Jacqueline Wernet
Live life to the fullest! Be kind and understanding to others, be generous with your time. Love and care for your environment and animals. Be happy and be the best version of you, knowing you can always learn more. Be compassionate. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
I always wanted to fly, it started at a young age with wanting to be an astronaut but I quickly figured out that not many astronauts actually get to go to space. It ended up being ‘airline pilot’ but I didn’t start that career till later in life, when my daughters were older. An all female KLM crew is what inspired me to finally go for it!
I think it is imperative to not allow anyone to tell you “you cannot”, “you should not’, “it’s a male environment, how will you deal?“, “no, that’s a man’s job”… If there is passion for a certain job, anything is possible. This counts for men also, by the way. Nobody should tell a man he can’t or shouldn’t choose a certain career because it’s generally ‘designed’ for women. We should all be able to do whatever we wish to! Choose the career path that we desire, no matter what anyone says..
I find gardening and cooking helps take the mind off some more difficult moments. My pets also give me lots of joy. Having a peaceful home with a great partner and family to share special moments with. Travel also gives another perspective to life and I’ve been very blessed to have seen many cultures.
I know that entering the world of a mostly male workforce was something that hadn’t been done yet in Aruba. I’d like to think that I somehow inspired some girls and ladies to go for it also. Not just flying, but other professions as well. And also that it’s definitely possible to change careers at a later age. It takes some risk, but without risk it wouldn’t feel as good to achieve your goals either.
BARRIER
The biggest barrier is stigma. Like I mentioned before, it is thought that certain jobs aren’t meant for women and others aren’t meant for men. This needs to change in order to have the fair balance for all. Women can do anything men can, and vice versa, but if we don’t educate our children to believe that, and in fact block them from believing it, we can never grow as a society.
“If you have a dream and you have passion, anything is possible”
BALANCE
I feel that women, in general, see things differently than men. I feel women are more careful, perhaps it has something to do with our maternal instinct. Men, don’t get me wrong, are also very protective, but in a different way. To have both women and men in positions that make change, is important as it gives that perfect balance.
ANOTHER WOMEN WHO INSPIRE YOU
There are several. My mother to begin with. As a single mother, she managed to put us through school, pretty much give us everything we needed, taught us manners, respect, appreciation and humility, a love for the environment and animals, and now as a lady of age, she still works, still exercises and travels on her own. My two sisters, who both run successful businesses. Then the countless female friends who have achieved so much. I’m proud to be surrounded and supported by them all. It gives me great joy to see them all thrive.
ADVICE
Don’t ever give up. And also accept that one thing always leads to the next. Don’t ever think that you’ve failed if you didn’t reach the goal you set out to reach. Along the way, you learned so many things, met so many people. You may have even changed or adjusted that initial goal. Be open to change.
WOMEN IN ARUBA
I think we’re making great strides but the stigma is still holding us back. We have quite some ladies in high positions these days. It IS a big deal, but shouldn’t really be because we, as women, CAN do everything men can. And vice versa.
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