A Shepherdess of Dreams

The story of the first Czech female pilot. A story about aviation pioneer Božena Laglerová and the men with whom she shared the same enthusiasm and obsession for flying. A story about aviation pioneer Božena Laglerová. Her decision to become a pilot was driven by the admiration and desire she felt when she saw Jan Kašpar and Josef Sablatnig take off. She soon set out to follow her dream, but on her journey, she had to contend with men's prejudice against women who wanted to enter their domain, as well as overcome her mother's disapproval, who had different ideas for her daughter's future: “Look at your sisters. They are all well provided for. They brought a financial councillor, a doctor, a professor into the family… You know absolutely nothing about running a household, but you know everything about aerodynamics.” Božena did not become a housewife; instead, she was the first Czech and the thirteenth woman in the world to pilot an aeroplane at the beginning of the 20th century, flying as far as Cuba, Haiti, and New York. Her life was fraught with obstacles, a lack of money, and a lack of support. But she always managed to pick herself up and continue to fulfil her dream.