num_pages: 288
description: The true story of Niloofar Rahmani and her determination to become Afghanistans first female air force pilot In 2010 for the first time since the Soviets Afghanistan allowed women to join the armed forces and Niloofar entered Afghanistans military academy. Niloofar had to break through social barriers to demonstrate confidence leadership and decisivenessessential qualities for a combat pilot. Niloofar performed the first solo flight of her classahead of all her male classmatesand in 2013 became Afghanistans first female fixed-wing air force pilot. The US State Department honored Niloofar with the International Women of Courage Award and brought her to the United States to meet Michelle Obama and fly with the US Navys Blue Angels. But when she returned to Kabul the danger to her and her family had increased significantly. Rahmani and her family are portraits of the resiliency of refugees and the accomplishments they can reach when afforded with opportunities 
language: English
title: Open Skies: My Life as Afghanistan's First Female Pilot
publisher: Chicago Review Press