Ep 151 Breaking Barriers in Aviation: A Girl Scout's Journey to Empower Young Women in Flight

Full transcription available at http://heartsofgoldpodcast.com/

Today, we’re thrilled to have Pepper join us to share her inspiring journey as a young aviator and her impactful Girl Scout Gold Award project. From her first flight at just 10 years old to becoming a certified pilot, Pepper has navigated the skies and shattered stereotypes in a male-dominated field. She passionately discusses her mission to introduce aviation to young women in her community through a series of engaging workshops, where she taught the fundamentals of flight and even organized a thrilling "fly day" for eager participants.

But that’s not all! Pepper also dives into the challenges she faced, from balancing her rigorous training with high school life to advocating for the reinstatement of aviation programs in Girl Scouts. With a wealth of scholarships and support from organizations like the 99s and EAA, she emphasizes the importance of perseverance and community in pursuing one’s dreams. Tune in to hear about her incredible experiences, the lessons learned along the way, and her advice for anyone looking to explore new career paths. Don’t miss this uplifting episode that proves with passion and grit, the sky's the limit!

 

More About Pepper:

Autumn Pepper Rhodes is a 14 year Girl Scout, starting when she was only a daisy. She quickly got involved in cookie selling, camping, and career exploration within the Scout program. As she became a senior and ambassador, she transitioned into more of a mentor role, frequently volunteering with the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida (GSGCF). Pepper received the incredible opportunity to attend the 2017 G.I.R.L. Convention on the Media Team, as well as complete her Girl Scout Gold Award. Now as an adult member, Pepper is on the GSGCF Gold Award Committee! Outside of scouting, she attend Rice University in Houston, Texas for Mechanical Engineering and Astrophysics. She has a passion for aviation and aerospace, leading her to have earned Private Pilot's License and Instrument Flight Rating. Pepper also loves cycling, hiking, kayaking, and exploring nature with her friends. At Rice, she is on the Eclipse Collegiate Rocketry Team and the Duncan College Bike Team, both of which she found a home. Pepper wants to continue pursuing aviation as a career, eventually acting as a Aerospace or Aviation Design Engineer. Maybe even an astronaut one day!

https://girlswhosoar.com/

https://www.instagram.com/the_dr_pepper/

Key Takeaways from this episode:

1. Empowerment through Aviation: Pepper's Girl Scout Gold Award project focused on introducing young women in her community to aviation. She organized workshops that covered the basics of flight, hands-on activities, and opportunities to meet female pilots, aiming to inspire the next generation of women in aviation.

2. Overcoming Challenges: Throughout her journey, Pepper faced various challenges, including financial barriers and the demands of balancing her aviation training with high school responsibilities. She emphasized the importance of perseverance, time management, and seeking scholarships to support her goals in aviation.

3. Advocacy for Aviation Programs: Pepper actively advocated for the reinstatement of aviation programs within the Girl Scouts of the USA. She engaged with the organization to propose the creation of aviation badges and programming, highlighting the need for more resources and opportunities for young women interested in pursuing careers in aviation.

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Editing by https://www.offthewalter.com/ Walter’s YouTube channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt0wFZRVaOpUd_nXc_8-4yQ