Kodey Bogart, Retired Army Aviator, Educator, Entrepreneur, & Author: turning adversity into her superpower.
As many of us are familiar, adversity is a universal and inevitable part of life that most of us face through challenges like illness, loss, financial hardship, and the growing pains of life. Adversity is non-discriminatory, affecting all individuals regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status. No person is immune from it. While adversity introduces difficulties, it also plays a crucial role in personal growth and grit. Within society, we have witnessed how adversity drives innovation, strengthens community bonds, and enhances empathy.
In the face of adversity, the history of women in aviation is a testament to resilience. Since the early days of flight, women like Élisabeth Thible, who flew in a hot air balloon in 1784, and Aida de Acosta, who in 1903 became the first woman to pilot a motorized aircraft, have been relentlessly reaching for the skies. The early 20th century saw women like Emma Lilian Todd designing successful airplanes and Georgia "Tiny" Broadwick performing parachute jumps, pushing the boundaries of what was considered possible for women at the time. Even with these successes, these pioneering women were often not considered serious aviators or contributors to the field.
Despite their early involvement, women were also often restricted to working privately or in support roles in the aviation industry before 1970. Nonetheless, they were breaking records and competing in air races against men within the first two decades of powered flight. During World War II, while most female pilots were restricted from military flight, many served in auxiliary services and support roles. As time progressed, women continued to make progress, often in the background contributing greatly to our industry, with limited resources and a lack of community in their workplace.
The modern landscape for women in aviation is certainly improving with several organizations and initiatives dedicated to supporting women in the workforce, however, the data still reflects a significant gender gap. We learned from the FAA Women in Aviation Advisory Board report how women make up less than 20% of the aviation workforce, with even lower representation in pilot and maintenance roles. As of 2022, women account for just 9.57% of all pilots. When we exclude student licenses, the figure drops to 6.34% for non-student female pilots. The five-year trend leading up to 2022 does show growth in the number of female pilots, but the percentage increase is modest, sometimes being referred to a flatline growth.
Reflecting on the importance of gender equality in our industry and thinking about the conversations I have had with women in the industry, I've come to believe that a significant way to better support women is by actively listening to their stories, specifically on adversity. Hearing how they've transformed challenges, failures, and difficult moments into avenues for growth not only fosters equality but also empowers the next generation, who sometimes feel the pressure to be perfect. These storied provides practical guidance and perspective on resilience and perseverance, illustrating how to rise above obstacles and advance with determination. On a personal note, when I talk about adversity during keynote presentations, I find it to be healing as I share these experiences with others.
With this, we invited Kodey Bogart, Retired Army Aviator, Educator, Entrepreneur, and Author, to be our podcast guest this week and asked her to share her story.
Kodey Bogart's career journey exemplifies the enduring spirit of women in aviation, demonstrating how resilience can turn adversity into triumph. Raised in Michigan with a love for the outdoors, art, and nature, Kodey faced an unfortunate challenge in her childhood that set her on a path of service rather than setbacks. She enlisted in the military after high school, where she discovered her passion for flight. As an Army Warrant Officer and Aviator, she was recognized with two Air Medals and a Sikorsky Rescue Award for her service during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Post-military, Kodey's aviation career continued as she flew over 2,500 hours of accident-free flight time, serving in air ambulance and aviation law enforcement roles. Her commitment to lifelong learning earned her a Master's in Aviation Safety from the Florida Institute of Technology and a Bachelor's from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, specializing in Helicopter Safety. Currently pursuing her Doctorate in Aviation with an emphasis on Safety and teaching part-time as an Adjunct Professor at FIT, Kodey balances her academic pursuits with motherhood, community engagement and authoring a series of books to educate and inspire the youth.
