Sadly, women are raised differently from men all the world over. From a very young age, most girls are not given the same rights, the same freedom as their young counterparts. No country is perfect when it comes to how women are treated. Not a one. Somewhere, somehow, there is a gender gap caused more by attitude than ability.
Why did the little girls grow crooked
While the little boys grow tall
The boys were taught to tumble
The girls told not to fall
The girls answered the telephone
The boys answered the call
That’s why little girls grew crooked
While the little boys grew tall— Lyrics from Harry Chapin’s “Why Do Little Girls”
Today in Israel, the gender gap took yet another slap. This time by a young woman whose face we are not allowed to see. She’s young, blonde and for the last year she began training for a role no other woman has as yet fulfilled in Israel. “It’s a great honor alongside a great responsibility,” she explained. “The real work is still before me. I’m proud to serve in the air force.”
Why did the little girls come broken
While the little boys came whole
The little boys were set aflame
The girls told to fan the coals
The boys all told to be themselves
While the girls were told play the roles
That’s why little girls came broken
While little boys came whole— Lyrics from Harry Chapin’s “Why Do Little Girls”
According to YNET, although Israel has had women as fighter pilots for some time now, this is the first female flight squadron commander. Apparently Haaretz disagrees and says that we accomplished this in January, 2018 with another woman, also married and a mother.
No matter whether Major G. was the first or Lt. Co T. who came first, the bottom line is that little Israel joins only a few other nations in allowing a woman to serve as a fighter pilot, never mind a squadron leader. In fact, along with Israel, only the United States and the United Kingdom, South Korea and South Africa and Pakistan allow women to serve in this way.
Why were the little girls all frightened
To be just what they are
The boys were told to ask themselves
How high how far
The girls were told to reach the shelves
While the boys were reaching stars
That’s why little girls were frightened
To be just what they are….— Lyrics from Harry Chapin’s “Why Do Little Girls”
What makes this an even more amazing accomplishment is that both of these women, Major G. and Lt. Col. T. are not just fighter pilots, but wives and mothers. Women serve in Israel in a number of roles – from support to combat, and now, to fighter pilots. No, it doesn’t close the gender gap – not in Israel and not around the world. And no, it doesn’t mean that women in Israel are paid the same rate as men for doing the same job.
But we have had women serve in the highest levels of government and now we have women serving in the highest places in the skies over our country.
Why did the little girls grow crooked
While the little boys grew tall
It’s maybe because the little boys
Didn’t ever have to grow up at all
— Lyrics from Harry Chapin’s “Why Do Little Girls”
So proud of her.