I Want the Experience for Everyone - episode 178
Her dream is for more girls to have flying opportunities. Jenn Aupke is an accomplished pilot herself and she knows how life changing aviation can be. In addition to her military career she co-founded The Milieux Project to help this dream take shape. The non-profit educates girls to realize they have personal power, for them to know they have potential, and to push into it.
As Jenn shares, aviation is the great equalizer because as you learn to fly the confidence gets built in regardless of your gender. She wants this kind of an experience for everyone and is focusing on girls to help provide the possibilities. And in this way they won’t have to compare themselves to anyone else because they will trust themselves and they will soar.
Fork-tongued bitch.
— Jenn Aupke
First They Would Kiss
Thoughts from I Want the Experience for Everyone
“I am a great pilot.” I totally believe Jenn when she says that about herself and if I had the opportunity to go flying with her, I would. There’s something about her strong presence and powerful nature that inspires confidence in her abilities.
I am in agreement with the philosophy that both genders should have all kinds of experiences and anything that prevents that strikes me as unfair. Being the Enneagram 8 that I am, (Protective Challenger), I often railed against things that didn’t seem just to me. I also got to thinking about gender and the role it plays in our childhood and into our growing up. Yes, I played with dolls and I enjoyed it. Yes, my brother played with trucks and he enjoyed it. That was the 60’s. Now when I bought my son a boy doll at the age of 2, he threw it down rather forcefully and had no interest. Reaction noted. That’s when you need to pay attention.
Different people, and that’s what children are, small people, are drawn to different things. As parents, teachers, etc. it seems best to let them guide us into what they are curious about. Now I’m not talking here about gender identity per se as that is a very big topic and would take many blog posts to unpack. I am simply writing about one’s individual leanings.
I liked Barbie from very early on and insisted on using my brother’s GI Joe as her personal Ken since I didn’t have one. I made a van out of a box for them to drive around, camp and travel in. This was before you could buy them. Inevitably Barbie and Ken would make out. This was always an important part of their story. Not sure why I was so keen on their romance. Did I mention I was ridiculously boy-crazy? That may have had something to do with it. There may or may not have been times when Ken had to free Barbie from being tied up. No idea where this came from or if she had been kidnapped. But first they would kiss. Always. In my version Barbie and Ken get married and have a few Little Kiddles as their kids. Acting out what I wanted - an intact family. Today I am part of a blended family with my own Ken (Ron) and our own set of little kiddles who are all grown (Kyle, Shaun, Kori, Bryn, Taylor), with one in heaven (Christian).
On the other hand, my brother decided he would build a boat and I’m not kidding. He went to the library and got books and read them. This was a boy who did not like school. I’m not sure of his exact age but he was not a teenager, maybe a preteen. Building one out of wood that he treated, he spent hours upon hours, weeks upon weeks, months upon months, on the boat. It was built in our garage single-handedly by him. I don’t think I was there when it was determined to be seaworthy or not but as I recall it did float, for a time. Today he has had sailing boats of his own, sailing and enjoying many trips with family and friends.
And the boy who threw down the doll? Well he grew up interested in Star Wars, Mario Kart and the shows Goof Troop and Chip n Dale’s Rescue Rangers. These cultivated his interest in animation and fantasy that continued into his adulthood. He writes about worlds he has created and the characters that live there. I’ve read many of the older stories and they are filled with a creative imagination and plenty of heart. Plus there’s action (of course), a dark edge (brilliant), and plenty of humor (duh).
I can see a line from childhood to growing up based on the things we were drawn to when we were young. They informed who we would become because those interests mattered to us and we kept them going on some level. I’m not sure this is always the case, in fact I’m sure it’s not. Yet I find it fascinating to see my life now and how the things I was pulled to from my early years had a lasting impact on the choices I make today. So to grandchildren: Van (age 11), we look forward to you becoming a scientist with the important work you will do to help the community, and Nyah (age 6), we think the animals will be in good hands as you work to keep them healthy through your veterinary skills. And Iris (age 2)? It’s too soon to tell. We’ll keep you posted.
Are the interests you had in
childhood still with you now?
— RCN
Mine were usually standing up, more PG rated
