Aircraft Mechanic Student Overcomes Gender and Age Barriers

Delicia Moses - Aircraft Mechanic Student

Open-minded and always wearing a charismatic smile, Delicia Moses, mother of four, has overcome the generalization that she would only ever be “just a single parent”.

Moses has overcome hardships that were designed to suppress the average person; such as mental and physical abuse, which resulted in having to start from zero with four children, and working two and three jobs at a time just to make ends meet for her three sons and one daughter now ranging in ages from 11 to 22.

No matter what, this mother has always been a proper example, teaching her children the importance of hard work, honesty, generosity, and happiness.

“You get a lot further in life when you tell the truth and give to those less fortunate when they are in need.” Moses said to her youngest son while assisting him with tying his shoes.

Education has always been important with Moses, as she has pushed all of her children to excel in school; resulting in her eldest daughter going to The University of Memphis, her eldest son attending Tennessee Technology, and now she is just months away from graduating Tennessee College of Applied Technology with an aircraft mechanic degree.

To Moses, this degree is not only a piece of paper, but an accomplishment, an opportunity to succeed, and a ticket to a new life suitable for her and her middle-school aged sons whom still depend on her for care.

Upon graduating in December 2015, Moses has been chosen for a full-time aircraft mechanic position in Abilene, Texas that was provided by her college.

“I cannot wait to get out of Memphis," Moses said. "I have been here nearly my entire life and there is nothing here for me. At least with a degree and a guaranteed job, I will be able to make a new life for myself with better opportunities than what is offered here in Memphis.”

Moses believes that it is never too late to start something new that will benefit both you and your family.

One would be truly proud of Moses’s accomplishments of returning to education despite her age and gender in a male-dominant field.

The way 5’2”, petite, and young-looking Moses lights up when she is telling about her in-class studies, and showing her texts books and pictures from class of her operating on various parts of the aircraft with her aircraft tools is similar to the rewarding feeling of finally accomplishing a serious goal.

Moses plans to focus on school until December and reminds us to “never give up on something or someone that you believe in.” All things are possible when hard work and dedication are applied. SB