Madeleine Albright says, “It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.” The same could be said of Dr Mekdes Berhanu, the first Ethiopian woman to become medical doctor and a qualified pilot.
This is what we call double achievement and a thorough refection of what Mrs. Michelle Obama in one of her inspiring quotes call quiet strength when she said:
“I am an example of what is possible when girls from the very beginning of their lives are loved and nurtured by people around them. I was surrounded by extraordinary women in my life who taught me about quiet strength and dignity.”
Who is Dr Mekdes Berhanu?
She studied medicine at Addis Ababa University, School of Medicine and after some duties at hospital wards, she went to study at Multi-Crew Pilot License (MPL) at Ethiopian Aviation Academy, Pilot Training School (PTS).
She is now serving as a First Officer (Copilot) at Ethiopian Airlines.
What makes her story remarkable is the fact that she is the first Female in Ethiopia to be both Medical Doctor and a Commercial pilot!
Dr. Mekdes could be a good role model for other women in the world that nothing is unachievable.
Ethiopia must be proud of her just like in the words of Virginia Woolf, “As a woman, I have no country. As a woman, my country is the whole world.”
We’re proud of Dr Mekdes Berhanu, keep the fire burning!