Speaking As A Female Pilot
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
• • •
As a pilot, my heart aches today. We just witnessed a devastating collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and a commercial passenger jet, a tragedy that claimed far too many lives. In aviation, we train relentlessly to prevent such losses, and when they happen, they are never taken lightly. Every investigation is undertaken with solemnity and a deep commitment to making the skies safer for everyone. But today, amid the grief, we saw something even more disgraceful—our own president, rather than offering comfort, rather than ordering flags to fly at half-mast, chose to blame the victims.
Forgive me…but what the hell?
Donald Trump, in his endless need to weaponize every moment for his own agenda, implied that the co-pilot of the helicopter—reported to FOX News as a highly trained and skilled woman—was a “DEI hire,” suggesting that she was there because of diversity initiatives rather than merit. This is not only false—it’s a direct attack on every woman who has ever had to work twice as hard to prove herself in a field dominated by men.
So, let’s set the record straight. Women are just as capable as men to be pilots and air traffic controllers. We fly commercial airliners, we command fighter jets, we conduct complex search and rescue operations, and we carry the weight of responsibility in aviation just as skillfully and courageously as our male counterparts. The idea that gender determines capability is not only a relic of the past—it is an insult to the God who created us all with gifts, talents, and purpose. As Teresa of Avila, a spiritual leader who defied the limitations placed upon women in her time, once wrote: “Christ has no body now but yours, no hands, no feet on earth but yours.” The work of justice—the work of ensuring that all people are given the respect and opportunities they deserve—is ours to do.
The truth is, aviation is not about bravado. It’s about discipline, knowledge, and skill. No pilot—man or woman—is handed the controls of a military aircraft without proving their ability through rigorous training and testing. The implication that this tragedy was caused by the gender of the pilot (or the ATC controllers) rather than the complexities of aviation is not just ignorant—it’s dangerous. It undermines the work of every highly trained pilot who takes to the skies to protect and serve.
This moment calls for grief, not political scapegoating. It calls for honoring the lives lost, not exploiting their deaths to score cheap points with a base that fears actual competence. Women will continue to fly, to direct air traffic, to lead, to prove over and over again that we belong here—not because of “DEI” but because we have earned it. And we will continue to grieve, with dignity and resolve, for those who lost their lives, refusing to let lies and political cruelty dishonor their memory.
Thank you for reading this rant. 🙂
We are in this together…thank God,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
How do we hold space for grief and justice at the same time?
What does it mean to challenge harmful narratives while still engaging in meaningful dialogue?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for Strength and Truth
God of justice, God of truth,
We come to you in grief for the lives lost,
And in frustration for the lies that diminish their memory.
Give us the courage to speak truth,
To stand against those who distort reality for power,
To honor the gifts and skills of all people,
Regardless of gender, race, or background.
May we be voices for those who are silenced,
May we be advocates for dignity and justice,
May we find the strength to rise above the noise
And hold fast to what is right.
For the lives lost,
For the truth that must be spoken,
For the justice that must come—
We pray.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Naming and Honoring Women’s Strength
Take time to reflect on the women in your life who have shaped you—mentors, leaders, teachers, and friends who have demonstrated excellence in their fields despite resistance. Speak their names aloud. Offer gratitude for their work. If you can, reach out to one of them and thank them for the path they have walked.
If you are a woman, remind yourself of your own worth. Reflect on the times you have had to prove yourself in ways your male counterparts did not. Affirm your own skill, wisdom, and ability. Write it down. Claim it. You do not need to justify your place in the world—you belong here.
And if you hear the lie that women are “less than,” do not let it go unchallenged. Stand in truth. Speak in love. And refuse to let misogyny fly unchecked.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
February 6, 7-8pm ET - Join my conversation “Mindful Healing: Tools For Inner Balance and Wellbeing” with Rev. Dr. Isa Gucciardi. Register here.
February 27, 2025, 12-1:30pm - Margaret Wheatley and I are offering a 4 or 8-session course called “Are We Made for These Times?” If you know Meg’s work, it’s going to be extraordinary. If you want the deep dive, the 8-session course is for you. You can read about the shorter 4-session course here. Scholarships are available. I sooooo hope you can be a part of this!
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more. Only two spots left!
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Mark your calendars for now. More info is coming.
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
Thank you. I almost couldn’t believe my ears yesterday when I heard T blame DEI. And Hegseth broke protocol by talking about the military victims so quickly. It’s policy to wait 24 hours before saying anything about them. It all just makes my heart ache. I am praying for all the families and friends and team members of the victims.
If speaking truth to power is ranting, then please rant every day! Thank you for your thoughtfulness about this event and so much else that is going on in the world. Being “in this together” with you makes me feel more hopeful.