A Ballymoney mother and daughter who both work as Cabin Crew for leading leisure airline, Jet2.com, are today (8th March) celebrating International Women’s Day, while giving an insight into their careers and revealing what the global day means to them.

Tracey Brown, who has worked as Cabin Crew for Jet2.com for seven years, and her daughter Loren, who has aspired to work as Cabin Crew since she was a child, has been part of the Jet2.com team for four years now.

Loren said of her inspiration to embark on a career in the sky: “I will always remember my first ever holiday and the positive impact the female crew had on me. The experience stayed with me, and I knew that I wanted to follow suit and work in the travel industry. Since securing my job with Jet2.com, it has felt like a dream come true and some days I still have to pinch myself.”

After working in sales, Tracey decided to make a career switch and applied for a Cabin Crew position with Jet2.com based at Belfast International Airport, as she explains: “I had always worked in sales but craved a new challenge. Given my love of flying and passion for delivering excellent customer service, I thought I could make a real difference if I worked as cabin crew – making customers feel like VIPs as they head off on their holidays!”

Despite believing that her age, lack of qualifications and experience would go against her, Tracey recalls that the company encouraged her to apply giving her faith, pride, and confidence in her abilities. “I was 52 when I decided to change careers and was understandably apprehensive about applying. However, Jet2.com was fantastic and motivated me to go for it. It is a great example of not letting anything be a barrier to a pursuing a new career path.”

With over ten years of service between them, the mother and daughter have witnessed many happy moments while working as Cabin Crew for Jet2.com and recall their fondest memories: “I have lots of positive inflight memories but the one memory that stands out the most was when I completed my initial training course and was awarded my wings. The amount of sense and pride I had during this special moment will remain with me forever,” said Tracey.

When it comes to International Women’s Day and who inspires them as role models, Loren said: “My role model has always been my best friend – my mum! She brought me into this world, protects me, loves me, guides me, encourages, and supports me through everything. My mum is intelligent, beautiful, compassionate, strong, and elegant. She is my hero. I am so incredibly proud of her for all she is and all she has done.”

Tracey sees International Woman’s Day as a means of uniting women from around the world and celebrating their achievements: “We have come a long way in terms of gender equality and it’s great that we have a global day where we can celebrate women and recognise their achievements. I have always taught Loren that she can achieve anything that she wants,” said Tracey.

Loren agrees that International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate and honour women of past, present and future generations from across the world: “It’s fantastic to acknowledge women’s achievements and remind all women, as well as inspiring the younger generation, to recognise their own potential and that we can dream big.”

Talking about the strengths they each bring to their roles every day, Tracey commented: “I love to bring positivity, empathy, and sympathy to both colleagues and customers alike. We are all like family at Jet2.com and support one another to excel in our careers. The sky really is the limit!” While Loren also feels she brings a fresh perspective to her role: “I love that no two days are ever the same and working as Cabin Crew brings lots of variety. What is important, is that all my colleagues feel safe, welcomed and encouraged when flying with me and that customers receive our famous first-class customer service.”

Tracey and Loren plan to mark International Women’s Day by enjoying a yoga class together where all the women will be wearing purple to symbolise strength, unity and empowerment. Tracey concludes: “After the yoga, we’re looking forward to meeting a group of close friends and having an afternoon tea party to commemorate International Women’s Day. We’ll also be raising a glass to the achievements of all women from across the world.”