Jacqueline Ruiz chronicles the state of contemporary Latina aviation professionals in her recent work
“Latinas in Aviation”
By Mark Rhodes
Latinas in Aviation: Stories of Passion, Power and Breaking into the Aviation Media (FigFactor Media) is an inspiring narrative of up to the moment stories of Latinas who, besides being the rarest women in the aviation industry, are quickly making an impression in all phases of contemporary aviation. Ms. Jacqueline Ruiz is many things: one of the few Latina sports airplane pilots in the U.S; a social entrepreneur and a prolific publisher as well as a cancer survivor.
Cover Art courtesy FigFactor Media.
Jackie Ruiz at the launch of “Latinas in Aviation” at CLOW Airport in Bolingbrook, IL. (Photo credit: Robbie Culver)
Mark Rhodes was fortunate enough to interview Ms. Ruiz about her life and work via email.
IF USA: What was the origin of compiling these stories? Did you know any of the pilots and Aviation professionals profiled in your work prior to your work on the book?
JR: “I have been involved in the world of books most of life. I read many of the self-development books since I was 4 years old, shaping the way that I thought about life and envisioned success.
“In 2015, I started getting involved in aviation by doing the marketing for a small flight school in Illinois. Little did I know that my interest for this industry was going to change my life when I decided shortly after, to become a pilot. My journey was not easy as I navigated through two business, two nonprofits, an international speaking career and 24 of my own books. I started noticing that there were not many women involved in aviation and decided to spread my joy for aviation to young Latinas and women up for short flight. A few years later, in early 2020, this inspiration of the book came to mind. What if I collected the amazing stories of other Latinas in the world of aviation? What if I used my publishing and marketing knowledge combined with the passion for aviation and made it happen?
“I went on an international crusade to find more Latinas as passionate as I was… and I found them! 22 of them! “Latinas in Aviation” was launched in August 2020 at a virtual event that gathered over 500 registrations and close to 15,000 views. I knew I was on to something special here.”
IF USA: There are a variety of pilots and professionals that are profiled in this work. Do you see particular parallels and/or differences in their experiences?
JR: “Yes, absolutely. I see a lot of struggles, financial issues, but inspired by the family support that we have all received. The way to aviation has not been easy for most, but we have continued to thrive in this industry. We are all committed to bringing more women, especially Latinas, to this fascinating world.”
IF USA: Do you think the challenges for female Latina Pilots are different/similar compared to female pilots with a different ethnic or cultural backgrounds?
JR: “I think they are a bit different. I feel that we are sometimes at a disadvantage financially and limited in resources and, sometimes even the language, than the rest of the population. I want to change that. I want to provide access, opportunity, connections and scholarships to decrease the barrier of entry for Latinas.”
IF USA: Were any experiences that you chronicle in the book personally relatable to your own experiences? Were any very different than your own trajectory in aviation?
JR: “They were very similar. I started in this industry with an ‘inspiration’ that started to become a very important part of my life. I could not stop thinking about flying planes, about the challenges that I was overcoming every day in my journey to become a pilot. I struggled to find the perfect days to fly in my crazy busy schedule with my business, coordinating plane and instructor availability and of course, weather—but my passion to fly never ever stopped, it intensifies every day. I find a common ground with my fellow contributing authors in this book.”
IF USA: Have you always wanted to be a pilot?
JR: “Never thought about it as a little girl at all. I thought it was impossible for someone like me to consider it. As a two-time cancer survivor, I knew that I had to make my days count…so when the “inspiration” of becoming a pilot was planted in my heart at the age of 31, I knew I had to make it happen.”
IF USA: Are there any aviation goals or aspirations that you want to pursue in the near or distant future?
JR: “Yes, many of them. Starting with securing my private license, which I am in the process of. I want to get more ratings as well. I would love to get a purple plane that says ‘Unleash your Amazing’ on the side and use it to take young people up, much like the “Young Eagles” program by EAA that I am part of. I want to extend my $5,000 Scholarship to Mexico, Central and South America in 2021. I want to continue to elevate others with every experience I have as a pilot. The Latinas in Aviation Magazine will be launched in February 2021!”
IF USA: How do you see aviation opportunities evolving for Latina Women particularly in this challenging moment in the Aviation industry?
JR: “I see more access, more opportunities. I see the industry catching up to the need to get more young Latinas involved and crafting programs that serve them specifically. I see more strategic alliances of small and large corporations to serve this segment. I see more awareness of the aviation careers and more Latinas getting involved.”
For more on Ms. Ruiz' work and life see www.jackiecamacho.com
