International Women’s Day: The viewpoint of Safran employees

The following series of questions and answers give a voice to those who contribute to Safran’s success through their diversity and commitment to a more gender-equal world.

Wendy Harris

Autonomous Production Unit Leader

Safran Aerosystems Evacuation

• How long have you been working at Safran?  

In November I will be celebrating my 40th anniversary! 

• What is the most rewarding part of your job at Safran?

Building and ensuring quality of life saving equipment. The sense of pride that I get when there is an incident with an aircraft and everyone gets off the plane safely because of the equipment that we built.  

• What does International Woman’s Day/Women’s History Month mean to you?

It means that women are finally being recognized for what they do. Women throughout history have made large contributions to society, but they didn’t always get the credit that they deserve. I think that the recognition is long overdue.

• What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Classic car shows, drawing, painting and traveling, and of course spending time with my family.

Crystal Lopez

Human Resources

Safran Cabin

• How long have you been working at Safran?

I started working for Zodiac as a Human Resources Administrator in 2015, which was subsequently acquired by Safran in 2018.

• What does International Women’s Day / Women’s History Month mean to you?

International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate diversity of experiences and way of life of women across the world. It is a day to appreciate the impact that women make and support they provide. Women’s History Month means recognizing women’s work that perhaps was overlooked or overshadowed in the past. It is also a time to acknowledge all the work that was done to achieve what we have so far in terms of women’s rights.

• How do you support women’s empowerment and gender equality?

I support women’s empowerment and gender equality by sharing my experiences and perspective in all areas and by paying it forward. By sharing my experiences, I hope others will learn from my own journey, the good and the bad. By sharing my perspective, I hope to empower other women to share their perspective and to make more room for women’s voices.  

• What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoy baking! During the holidays, I like to make lots of treats to share with my coworkers, family, and friends.

Patricia Polanco

Industrial Transformation Manager

Safran Electrical & Power

• How long have you been working at Safran?

I started on April 8, 1996, almost 27 years in Safran.

• Who has been the most inspirational woman in your life?

A lot of the women that have been part of my life. Most of them are independent and strong enough to face adversity. They are role models of working women and examples for the next generation. Respect, responsibility, honor and humility are some of the things that I have learned from them.

• What is the most rewarding part of your job at Safran?

The most rewarding part of my job is leaving a mark, when one of my colleagues tells me that they have learned and applied something that I had the opportunity to teach or leave as an example.

• What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoy dancing, actually I’m taking dancing classes and enjoying with my friends social dancing activities.

Mandy Cooper

Business Segment Manager

Safran Electronics & Defense, Avionics

 

• How long have you been working at Safran?

11 years.

• Why do we need more women in leadership?

Women can bring a new perspective to the leadership team. Having a diverse team, provides us the opportunity to learn and grow from people that have a different viewpoint. I appreciate being valued as a contributing member of the leadership team.

• What is the best career advice you have been given? 

The best advice I was given in my professional career was from a previous boss that told me “Go Ugly First”. Basically, put the bad news out there and be upfront with it. It’s surprising how doing this leads to understanding, acceptance and people seem to be more willing to find a resolution together.

• What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoy camping (glamping), going to concerts and attending sporting events. You may hear me cheering super loud for the Dallas Cowboys! I also love playing with my two sweet dogs, Hazel and Birdie. Time spent with my husband, children and grandchildren is also at the top of my list.

Celeste Miller

Supply Chain Coordinator

Safran Oil Systems

 

• How long have you been working at Safran?

9 years.

• What is the most rewarding part of your job at Safran?

Besides working with my immediate co-workers at Safran Oil Systems, I really enjoy working with the suppliers and the customers to overcome delivery challenges. While doing this, we build solid relationships/partnerships and help each other.

• How do you support women’s empowerment and gender equality?

I encourage women to get out of their comfort zone to grow and be the best they can be.

• What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love going to the beach and listening to the ocean. I also enjoy travelling and doing jigsaw puzzles with my family.

Tara Bros

Electrical Designer

Safran Test Cells

 

• How long have you been working at Safran?

I will have been working for Safran Test Cells for 4 years in June.

• What is the most rewarding part of your job at Safran?

I would say the most rewarding part of my job is when I get see something I spent so many hours staring at on a computer screen take shape in the real world.  I hope I never lose that sense of pride that comes from being able to say, “I designed that”. 

• How do you support women’s empowerment and gender equality?

I am a transgender woman and one who came out when I had already spent more time than I would like to admit in the workplace. I feel like sharing my experience with how people’s attitudes and expectations towards me changed when I came out and started living as myself can be helpful. 

• What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I love to modify and race cars more than anything, my partner and I have a small fleet that we tinker with. We placed 1^st and 2^nd last year in our local racing series and I won “Most improved driver” which is nice I think.