Andrelee Mojica: Woman Power

My son is doing a biography project. His teacher wanted the students to do a report on any woman who has made a significant impact and contribution to society. My son chose Amelia Earhart.

Incidentally, last week I read in the international news that the person who has made it to the top of this year's graduating class in the prestigious Philippine Military Academy was a woman. What makes the news more interesting is that this is the third year that a woman has emerged to occupy that spot and receive the highest honor in that military school.

The news about this year's class valedictorian, Andrelee Mojica reported that, naturally, she has earned not only the highest grade in the academics, but as well as in the physical aspect of her training that the cadets were expected to accomplish.

It makes another woman like me proud and to feel admiration for what Mojica has shown in a male-dominated venue like a military school. Her determination and will power helped her to enter the training ground of the soldiers and officers of the Philippines. She failed the first entrance test, but took the challenge of applying again and completing the requirements. Interestingly, during her second take, she went with male friends but was the only one who passed the test.

Mojica grew up in a family of six, with a single mother at that. Perhaps her mother's hard work and perseverance in taking care of the family single-handedly was an inspiration. She said, that at one point her mother discouraged her to enter the military school. But her intention was initially to be able to be "the savior" of her mother. Now she is honored that she could actually be one of the protectors of the entire nation.

Similarly Amelia Earhart showed tremendous perseverance, patience and hard-work in achieving what she had. Not originally trained to fly, she worked as a volunteer with the Red Cross. But the stories of the wounded pilots in the hospitals made her burning interest in flying to grow even more. During her first ride trip in a plane driven by a pilot friend, she just knew in her heart that she was meant to fly.

Aviation was at her time also a domain of the male specie. But Earhart did not let this stop her from pursuing her desires and her dreams. She went on to buy her first plane, and trained to be a pilot. Because of her spirit and passion, she made records that continue to inspire many women today.

She was the first woman to fly solo across the Pacific and the Atlantic. She was the first person to fly solo from Los Angeles to Mexico City, from Mexico City to Newark and also from the Red Sea to India. She went on to set and break records.

In 1931, Earhart got married, yet she kept a certain stance of independence and referred to her marriage as "partnership with dual control". She taught by example, and became an adviser to many young women.

Mojica and Earhart are just two of the outstanding women who have shown that there is always an equality in gender, when it comes to pursuing your dreams and asserting your passion. Even in a man's world, a women who has the skills and the heart to strive hard and face many challenges would definitely succeed and be a shining example to society.