Julie, My Hero

Julie, My Hero

By Celestine Mel

Vilified. Body-shamed. Attacked for doing her job. Slapped. Severally. Hated by the mob. Silenced!

She stood her ground, not for glory, but for safety. Even protecting the life of her silly and senseless aggressor.

Juliana Edwards, the Ibom Air Hostess

She represents every worker who has swallowed insults just to keep others safe: the waiter, the nurse, the ‘maiguard’, the pilot, the cook; Porters and baby tenders who cannot tell all their stories. Some house helps who live through hell, helping others to be happy. The shimmering ring in her finger reminds me, she has a family. Somewhere. Waiting at home.

When the pilot yelled “Please stop her”, she did. She took the body blows, standing still. Unruffled. Unshaken. Determined. She refused to retaliate.

Julie could have manicured her skin into a glow to slay and pimp around. She could have settled for a role less risky. But she chose the hard path, to guide strangers safely through turbulence and calm. In the skies..

In Virgin Atlantic. Arik Air. Now, Ibom Air. She has shepherded millions, from take off to landing. Making sure they arrive safely. None gave her as much pain, as seen in her eyes…

Even if the world cheers the wrong person; the unruly and reckless aggressor. History will remember the quiet warrior in uniform who stood her post and stood the door.

Julie, you are my hero.