A Message for International Women’s Day
“Another empty kitchen”
Forty years ago, it was uncommon to hear a woman’s voice over the airwaves. And when one did break through, it wasn’t unusual to be met with the remark “Another empty kitchen”—a condescending reminder that, in many minds, a woman’s place wasn’t in the skies, the boardroom, or anywhere leadership was required.
I remember hearing those words on frequency while flying—while I was also raising two little boys and doing everything I could to put food on the table.
Embarrassing? Absolutely.
Frustrating? No question.
Motivating? More than they ever realized.
That was a long time ago. And while the words may have faded, the need for strong women in leadership has not.
International Women’s Day & The Leadership Shift We Still Need
Today, we celebrate the progress women have made in leadership, but we also acknowledge the work still ahead. For women—especially those in male-dominated fields like aviation, business, and tech—leadership isn’t just about expertise; it’s about the courage to take up space.
For too long, leadership has been framed in a way that often excludes women—expecting them to be assertive but not too assertive, confident but not intimidating, knowledgeable but not challenging. These contradictions create an invisible ceiling that many women still feel today.
The Leadership Shift We Need
While the world has changed, the internal struggles many women face in leadership remain.
- Owning your expertise: Too many women second-guess themselves, waiting until they feel 100% ready before speaking up.
- Breaking outdated expectations: Leadership isn’t about mimicking old models—it’s about defining success on your own terms.
- Leading unapologetically: Women don’t need permission to lead. The best way to silence doubt is to step into your authority with confidence.
Why Now?
March 8 is International Women’s Day, and there’s no better time to reflect on the progress we’ve made and the shifts that still need to happen.
Women belong in every space where decisions are made, whether it’s in the cockpit, the boardroom, or leading high-stakes industries. The real leadership shift happens when we stop waiting for approval and start owning our place at the table.
To the Women Leading Forward
💜 To the women who show up, even when it’s uncomfortable.
💜 To the women who carve new paths instead of following old ones.
💜 To the women who refuse to shrink themselves to make others comfortable.
Your voice, your presence, and your leadership matter. Keep going. We hear you now.
#InternationalWomensDay #WomenInLeadership #BreakingBarriers #LeadWithConfidence #AviationLeadership #WomenWhoLead #KeepGoing
Capt. Reyné O’Shaughnessy has been in the aviation industry for 50 years, with 35 years flying heavy jets. She is sought out as an international speaker, author, and innovator.
She can be reached at reyne@piloting2wellbeing.com.
