Every year, since 2015, the UAE has been celebrating Emirati women on August 28th, highlighting their achievements, talents, successes and more. Joining the nation’s festivities, Emirates Airlines made sure to highlight the noteworthy successes of 5 of the aviation giant’s female pilots. Marking Emirati Women’s Day 2019, Ayesha Yousuf, Hanan Mohamed, Bakhita Al Mheiri, Maryam bin Ismail and Nouf Omar flew captain to 5 different continents on the same day.
Emirates' chairman, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, said in a statement, "Emirati women are icons of tolerance, exemplifying the core values held by our community via their care, determination, ability to nurture future generations, and pursue success in their various fields of work. Their hard work and talent have helped build our company and nation, and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all Emirati women for setting new benchmarks and continuing to make us proud.” Emirates Airlines employs over 1100 women, on the ground and in the sky, with positions ranging from engineering roles, finance, customer services and flight operations.
Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, took to Twitter on Emirati Women’s Day in celebration of the women of his nation, with a heartfelt note stating, "On the Emirati Women's Day which takes place on the 28th of August every year... we honor and celebrate the mother, sister, wife and daughter... we celebrate the partner in the journey. We celebrate the mother of martyrs... we celebrate the achievements of women in all the country's fields. We also thank the UAE's mother Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak. May every year make you greater and more beautiful, you're the hearts of our nation.”
In 2015, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation, and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, inaugurated the first ever Emirati Women’s Day, also marking the date that the UAE launched its General Women's Union on 28th August, 1975.
