Embracing Femininity in a Male-Dominated Industry

Last November, Lily Ayres, a member of the Elevate(her) Core Team, and I traveled to Abu Dhabi for the Abu Dhabi Air Expo. Neither of us had visited the Middle East before, and we approached the opportunity with both excitement and uncertainty about how Elevate(her) would be received. However, with a global mission, it’s vital for us to immerse ourselves in new cultures and learn from the incredible women breaking barriers in aviation and business.

The show exceeded our expectations—it was our most successful yet! Beyond the event itself, two things stood out: respect and confidence. We were met with generosity and warmth, receiving a more gracious reception than at some events closer to home.

Even more striking was how the women we met fully embraced their femininity in a traditionally male-dominated space.

Femininity vs. Conformity in Aviation

In the UK, I’ve often found myself downplaying femininity to "fit in." Posting photos of myself flying on my aviation social media in a dress, shorts, or even with red nail polish has sparked negative comments, making me second-guess my choices. Many women I’ve spoken to in aviation have felt similar pressures—advising against skirts or sleeveless tops to other female aviators in an aviation setting.

This expectation encourages women to shrink themselves as opposed to aviation making space for them.

By contrast, the women we met in the Middle East were unapologetically themselves—immaculate in their appearance, radiating confidence. For them, self-care and presentation were not frivolous but a reflection of pride and strength. We connected with them as much over aviation as we did over beauty tips, a rarity in our experiences so far.

Femininity as Strength, Not a Weakness

These women were pilots, engineers, doctors, and aviation experts. Their femininity didn’t undermine their credibility—it enhanced it. They didn’t conform or minimise themselves; they thrived on their own terms.

Of course, femininity is more than appearance. For me, it’s quiet confidence—the ability to be taken seriously without being loud or brash. But it’s also deeply personal; what empowers one woman may not empower another.

Our trip to the Middle East made us reflect deeply: women should never have to sacrifice their femininity to be respected in aviation—or any industry. Whatever femininity looks like for each of us, it deserves to soar.