Scandinavian Airlines, better known as SAS, has released a heartwarming film based on the true story of Turi Widerøe, the first female commercial airline pilot.
“Breaking Glass” – A New SAS Film On The Life Of Turi Widerøe
In 1969, SAS made history by becoming the first major commercial airline to hire a female pilot when it hired Turi Widerøe. Widerøe grew up in Norway and if the name sounds familiar, her father was Viggo Widerøe, who founded Widerøe, a Norwegian airline still in operation today.
Yes, Turi had a headstart with a father like Viggo, but entering a profession dominated by males was no easy feat.
This film came out in December 2024 and I watched it the day it came out, planning to write about it, but it somehow slipped my mind.
It brings a tear to my eye, every time I watch it. I’m so impressed by any young person who knows what they want and pursues it. It took me a long time to find my niche (perhaps I’m still finding it) and while I am thankful for my journey, I sincerely hope my daughter can find something that she can latch onto early and work toward it from a young age. Ideally, university is not simply a time to explore what you want to do, but to take concrete steps toward making your dream a reality. For better or for worse, money makes this world go around and life is too short to spend changing career paths over and over. The person who finds their passion early and sticks to it is very blessed.
The film reminded me a bit of a similar-themed, though generic, film that KLM Royal Dutch Airlines produced for its 100th birthday:
Held to the same high standard and arguably with more scrutiny than men, I salute female aviators and particularly Turi Widerøe, who made history in 1969 and continues to be an icon of inspiration today.
image: SAS
Nice story , and it would be a nicer story if it had a more appropriate title .
“Breaking Glass” is the name of a violent and inhumane metaphor for the “Kristallnacht” ( “The Night of Broken Glass” ) event . This was a historical event on November 9 , 1938 , which marked the open and public destruction of synagogues , schools , and businesses by Germans . It also marked the first open arrests of Jewish people to be followed by mass round-ups and concentration camps , simply because of their faith and associations . Germans who sympathized with and helped the Jewish people were also marked for destruction . “Breaking Glass” is the name of one of the most evil events in human history .
After the heroism of the Danes during that period , I am surprised SAS has no historical memory .
+1
I thought the same
In Europe/non-English speaking countries the night is literally translated as Crystal Night (direct translation from German, I’m Czech and in Czech it’s also translated like that), so I’m not surprised that a non-English speaking country didn’t know something like Night of broken glass exists. I’ve been living in the USA for 30 years now and didn’t know it either. I came over when I was 18 so I didn’t learn about it in US school system but still, the vast majority of the world calls it Crystal Night, I think.
@Lukas … You are correct . I also know it as Crystalnight or Kristalnacht .
It is Also known , however , among the “tribe” in the U.S. and U.K. as Broken Glass Night , which evokes in English the idea of a “Broken Covenant with the Ten Commandments” , “Shattering Communal Respect for Others” , and even “Shattering Ties with the Pious and Blessed” . It symbolizes “Unforgiveable Evil” .
Good on you being Czech … I also have Czech roots a generation removed . Cheers to you from Jeroslav Hasek .
Nice! If your grandparents were Czech, try to get a citizenship before it’s too late 😀
Naw , I am thoroughly U.S.A. in every category .
Context matters. Breaking glass does not exclusively refer to Kristallnacht. I fail to share in the outrage.
Darn the photo was an actress
Can you possibly imagine how Bessie Coleman struggled to become a pilot?
A big hug for remebering such an important figure in aviation. Every time I drive by Bessie Colman Dr near O’Hare I say a little word of thanks. If anyone is interested in paying respects, she is buried in a cemetary on the south side of Chicago.
Awe a woman doing something that men have done countless times. BORING
@Chi … +1 . And Amelia Earhart was not the first .
Wait? I thought nepotism was a bad thing?
@Dave … Funny . ( Actually , nepotism is a good thing in Biblical history . Recall the carpenter’s son , who became a carpenter . Modern populist politicians who are against nepotism are against continuity of trades skills within families .)
It makes me very uncomfortable that instead of celebrating this milestone of female aviation here the comments reflect the current political trend of reducing female achievements and turning women into *household objects*.
I think this is an important story about breaking the glass ceiling. If alert understood this and it’s not about the animal name-calling the Hitler youth used to dehumanize jews, we would all be better off. Happy Valentine’s day.
Agreed.
The only breaking glass I acknowledge is Stone Cold Steve Austin
Reading the comments above reinforces my belief that we are doomed as a species – just too stupid to exist – and deserve the giant asteroid that is coming to wipe us out.
A nice little film. Mostly shot in Germany, it appears (at least the parts with airplanes in them). What a shame you jerks (blog-owner included) have never experienced anything like what’s shown in the film. You have wasted your lives.
Why do you drag me into this?
Yeah, that was a weird one!
I am PROUDLY Jewish and a realative of Holocaust survivors. i looked at this title of “Breaking Glass” as breaking the glass ceiling. It is not , bt any means , related to the horros myaunt and uncle survived at Achushwitz.
It is , as their story is, a story of survivsl, guts and determination . To create a new land and a new endless sky of opportunity. The film brought tears to my eyes.
Rename it Breaking Wind.