053 Sacrificing for Success and Setting Priorities with Olga Custodio - First Female Hispanic U.S. Military Pilot

When Women Fly

In this episode, we talk to Olga Custodio about finding success in a male-dominated profession, balancing family and professional life when pursuing career goals, why accessibility is the key to mentorship, and much more.
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Olga Custodio didn’t give up on her dream of serving her country when she was repeatedly blocked from enlisting in the military. Ten years after her first attempted she was finally accepted into the US Air Force, becoming the first Latina to complete graining in the U.S. Air Force as a military pilot. She also became the first Hispanic female pilot at American Airlines flying domestic and international routes retiring as a Captain after 20 years with American Airlines. She reflects on instructing and flying the supersonic T-38.
While breaking barriers and overcoming challenges as a woman in a male-dominated profession throughout her career, Olga has gained valuable insights that she shares in this conversation and to her wider audiences. Olga is a consummate mentor. A mentor for mentors. She is a generous and supportive advocate for girls, inspiring and empowering students - especially those from underserved communities and middle-schoolers - to pursue careers in STEM generally and aviation / aerospace specifically.

Topics Include:

• Being born into a military family in San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Growing up abroad
• The influence of Olga’s mother and grandmother
• Voicing your dreams and ambitions
• Flying and training supersonic jet in the military
• Becoming the first female T-38 flight instructor at Laughlin Air Force Base.
• Inspiring and empowering women and young girls
• Women in STEM
• Olga’s love for Hispanic arts and cultural heritage
• Ballet Folklorico Borikèn, trans. The Puerto Rican Folk Ballet
• The “where there is a will, there is power” mantra
• And other topics…

Olga Custodio is a former United States Air Force officer who became the first female Hispanic U.S. military pilot. Upon retiring from the military, she became the first female Hispanic commercial airline captain of American Airlines. Olga is a Trustee of the Order of Daedalians Foundation, a Board Member and Treasurer for the Women in Aviation Alamo City Chapter, and a Board Member for the Dee Howard Foundation. Custodio also serves as vice president of the Hispanic Association of Aviation and Aerospace Professionals (HAAAP). These organizations inspire young students in the San Antonio and surrounding areas to seek civilian and military aviation careers.
Resources Mentioned:
http://www.purflygirl.com/
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