Gemma Perelló

It is important to spread awareness that there is no pre-defined path - parts of life or aspirations to which someone is entitled and someone else is not.

1. Bio

Airline pilot and nurse. Originally from the vibrant city of Barcelona and ​​passionate about motors since she was a little girl, Gemma grew up thinking she could only follow one of her inclinations: caring for others. She therefore began her journey to become a nurse, until a pilot – after hearing her talk about her passion for engines – asked her a simple question: “Why aren’t you a pilot?” Becoming aware that the possibility is concrete is somewhat like a bolt of lightning. There and then, she began her dual journey, which led her first to graduate as a nurse and then to obtain her airline pilot’s license.

2. The power of dream

It is a sudden and disruptive force, which – when it begins to flow – follows its course and carries you with it. It is that strength that saw me work nights as a nurse and study during the day for my pilot’s license. It fostered dedication and resilience within me and allowed me to hone the art of time management and clarity of mind under pressure. My personality doesn’t let me do much in the way of daydreaming, which is why I had put flying away in a corner, as if it were a forbidden love. Imagine the joy, determination and passion that I felt when I discovered that it wasn’t forbidden at all.

3. My journey into real beauty

“Of course you can do it”, a few simple words were enough to topple that wall that stood between me and my dream. The beauty that can emanate from a human being who recognises, legitimises and supports the dreams of another is extraordinary. All too often society forgets to ask young people and children “What do you like? What are you passionate about?” So, we grow up with the feeling of having a pre-determined path. “I believe in you, you’ve got this”, this is my journey into beauty, both when – as a pilot – I look down on landscapes so beautiful that I wish I never had to come back down to earth, and when – as a nurse – I observe the fascinating complexity of being human, in our best and worst moments. It is the right word at the right time, it is a smile or a hug, it is rejoicing in other people’s success, as if it were your own.

4. What I’ve learned and won’t let go

There are two things that were fundamental for me to learn and that I want to emphasise as much as possible: we have the right to choose our own dream and path, without limits or barriers; we must surround ourselves with people who appreciate us and who support us when we decide to go a step further. There is a statement that I’d like to never have to hear again: “You are a girl, a woman, you can’t do this”: we must fight, conquer and bear witness, so as to eradicate this way of seeing and teaching reality, forever. We must do away with this statement once and for all and embrace the right to fly high.


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