It was 1959, when Jenny Harper was in third grade. Once, the teacher assigned the whole class to write an essay, asking everyone to talk about what they want to do when they grow up.
At that time, Jane's father was a pesticide pilot on a small farm in Northern California, where Jane grew up, so maybe it was because of her familiarity with her Obsessed with airplanes and flying. Little Jenny racked her brains and spent a lot of thought on this composition assigned by the teacher. In the article, she wrote almost all of her dreams: she wanted to be a pilot, she wanted to fly a plane to spray pesticides, she wanted to experience the thrill of skydiving, and she wanted to implement artificial rainfall (which she once seen on the TV show "King of the Sky"), she also wants to be a real pilot and fly a plane. However, in the end, she got an "F" for this composition. The teacher said that her idea was simply "Arabian Nights" and impossible to achieve, because none of the jobs she listed in the article could be done by women. Hearing what the teacher said, little Jenny was heartbroken. She only felt that her beautiful hope was suddenly dashed. Not only that, but she also had a deep sense of shame.
Disappointed, she had to show the composition to her father. After watching her carefully, her father encouraged her: "Of course you can be a pilot. Your teacher doesn't know what you're talking about."
However, as the days passed, Jenny was still ruthlessly mocked. and negative dissuasion - whenever she talks about her dreams, people say "It's impossible for a girl to be a pilot, never before, and never will. You're so whimsical, You're just crazy. That's absolutely impossible." ---Listening to these remarks, finally, little Janie conceded defeat and had to give up the beautiful dream she was pursuing.
In this way, a few years have passed, and little Jenny has grown up. When Jane was in high school, she met her English teacher, Mrs. Dorothy Slayton. Mrs. Slayton is a resolute, uncompromising teacher who is very strict with her students. Not only does she set very high standards for her students, but she can hardly tolerate any excuses that students make for themselves. . Not only that, but she never treats her students like children, but expects them to behave like a responsible adult, which is what they must behave in order to be successful when they graduate and go out into society. That way. At first Janie was very afraid of her, but gradually she came to admire Mrs Slayton's sternness and justice.
One day Mrs. Slayton gave the class an assignment. She asked her classmates to think carefully about what they would do today in 10 years, and write it down to her as a composition. Jenny pondered over and over what career would she be in 10 years later: to be a pilot? That simply doesn't work. Be a flight attendant? But I'm not pretty enough -- the airline won't accept me. To be a good wife and mother? But who will marry me? What about being a waiter? Well, that's okay, I can do it. After thinking about it, Jenny felt that only this one was the most practical for her, so she wrote down this idea and handed it over to Mrs. Slayton.
When the classmates finished writing their essays, Mrs. Slayton collected them one by one and said nothing. Two weeks later, Mrs. Slayton sent the essay to the class and asked them to put it face down on the desk. Then, she asked, "Students, if you have enough money, if you have enough opportunities to go to the best schools, and you have enough talent and talent, what will you do?"
After listening to Mrs. Slayton's words, Jenny suddenly felt that the dream that was buried deep in her heart, which was once so strong, was suddenly awakened like a volcano that had been dormant for many years, from the depths of her heart. surging out. She was very excited, very excited, and quickly wrote down her dream on the back of the essay.
When the classmates finished writing, Mrs. Slayton asked again: "Students, I would like to ask how many of you have written the same composition twice"? The classroom was very quiet, and none of the classmates raised their hands in response to Mrs. Slayton's question.
Mrs. Slayton walked to the podium and silently looked around the silent classroom, her sharp eyes passing over each classmate. Then, she said earnestly: "I have a little secret that I want to tell all of you here, that is, each of you has enough talent and talent, each of you has the opportunity to go to the best school, and , as long as you have such a strong desire, you will be able to have enough money to realize your dream. This is the truth! When you walk out of school, if you don't pursue your dream, then no one will realize it for you. Yes. As long as you have a strong desire and firm determination, you will be able to realize your dreams."
It was Mrs. Slayton's remarks that completely changed Jenny's life. At that time, she only felt the setbacks she had suffered over the years. The hurt and fear brought by depression and discouragement were running away in the face of Mrs. Slaton's inspiring words. Instead, they were encouraged and inspired. , and a little bit of worry and fear. After class, she went to the podium, thanked Mrs Slayton for what she had said today, and told Mrs Slayton that her dream was to be a pilot. Mrs. Slayton stiffened slightly, slammed the table, and said in surprise, "That's good, let's work hard to realize it!"
In this way, Jenny began to relentlessly pursue her dream again. . However, realizing her dream will not happen overnight. In order to realize her dream, Jenny has worked hard for it for 10 years. In the past 10 years, she has faced enormous resistance and pressure, whether it is silent doubt or categorical opposition, whether it is ruthless rejection or pungent humiliation, she has silently endured, fought tenaciously, and worked hard. Searching for other ways.
Eventually, she became a private jet pilot and obtained the qualifications necessary to be a pilot so she could fly a cargo plane or even a commercial airliner. However, she can only be a co-pilot. Her boss made no secret that she was not promoted because she was a woman. Even her father had advised her to try another job. "Jenny, you're not going to get out as a pilot," he said. "Stop banging your head against the wall!"
However, Jenny replied firmly: "Dad, I don't agree with you. Nothing is static. I believe that one day there will be a turning point. At that time, I will be the driver of the whole aircraft."
In this way, Jenny continues to work hard to pursue her third grade dream that was considered a fantasy by her teachers - she piloted a plane to spray pesticides, performed hundreds of skydives, and even piloted a plane to implement it in the summer. Artificial rainfall. In 1978, she finally became one of the first three female trainee pilots admitted to United Airlines, at a time when there were only 50 female pilots in the entire United States. Today, Jenny Harper is the captain of a United Airlines Boeing 737.
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