Cecilie Burkal

I was 12 years old when my father said that women couldn’t become fighter pilots because of the way their brains were built. I don’t remember if it was because I had expressed a desire to become a fighter pilot, but I do remember the anger that welled up inside me. Anger that others would take opportunities away from me without even considering me. That some would limit me because of prejudice, and the anger that I should have fewer opportunities than men. And now it could be the start of a story about how I’ve since been a badass and given no fucks about what others thought of me. But I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what others think and think – and what I think they think and think. And I’ve also limited myself a lot on that account. But the anger is still there. And it pops up when someone says that you can only have power if you are ruthless. Or if you wear dark suits. Because when you have a lot of power, you have to have a lot of empathy – otherwise you’re just an asshole. And there’s seriously no excuse for being an asshole. Whoever is in the most powerful position has the greatest responsibility to make the world a better place. And in that way, power is a beautiful thing. By the way, the first Danish woman to become a fighter pilot is Line Bonde. And she was born the year before me.