Patricia Campos (pilot) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patricia Campos
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Patricia Campos Doménech
12 March 1977 Onda, Spain
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| Alma mater | University of Valencia |
| Occupation | Naval aviator, coach, writer, accountant |
Patricia Campos Doménech (born 12 March 1977) is a Spanish football coach and a former aviator for the Spanish Navy. She made history as the Navy's first woman fighter pilot. In 2013, she left the Armed Forces to follow her passion for football and share her life story in a book.
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Early Life and Military Career
Patricia Campos Doménech was born in Onda, Castellón, Spain, on March 12, 1977. She studied audiovisual communication at the University of Valencia. After her studies, she took special exams to join the Spanish Navy.
Patricia was one of only two people chosen for fighter pilot training from about 200 applicants. As a pilot, she flew important people, including high-ranking military officers and members of the Spanish royal family. She served as an aviator in the Spanish Armed Forces for eight years.
Transition to Football Coaching
In May 2013, Patricia decided to leave the military. She wanted to focus on her other great interest: football. She had played football in college and was even the captain of the women's team at Naval Station Rota.
Patricia then became a professional football coach. She was one of the first women to coach a professional team, working with Carlsbad United F.C. in the United States. She also travels to Uganda regularly. There, she helps children and women through football projects, coaching many amateur teams.
As of 2017, Patricia lives in Hawaii. She coaches the women's team at the Honolulu Bulls Soccer Club. She also works in the finance department at the University of Hawaii. Patricia used to write weekly about her experiences on her blog, Fútbol sin Fronteras (Football Without Borders).
Advocacy and Sharing Her Story
Patricia Campos wrote a book called Tierra, mar y aire (Land, Sea, and Air). In her book, she talks about her experiences and supports equal rights for women. She believes it is important to share her story to help others.
She has spoken about how she was watched more closely than her male colleagues. She also faced comments and criticisms just for being a woman. Patricia made a very personal decision to share her story. She hoped it would help other young girls in similar situations.
Awards and Recognition
Patricia Campos Doménech has received several awards for her achievements and her work helping others.
Awards for Peace and Solidarity
In 2016, she won the Miki Roqué Award for Peace in Sport. This award recognized her work in Uganda, where she coached children's teams for the Soccer Without Borders association. Also in 2016, she received the 2015 Seny Onder Award. This honor celebrated her life achievements and her actions for solidarity.
Other Notable Awards
Patricia has also been honored with other awards, including:
- The 2008 Women in Aviation Award from the Association of American Women Pilots in Italy.
- The 2010 Woman of the Year from the Onda Progressive Women's Association.
- The 2012 Isabel Ferrer Award from the Generalitat Valenciana.
- A special mention for 2014 Sports Merit from the Castellón Sports Press Association.
- The Altruism Award from Cadena SER's El Larguero Foundation.
- She was named a 2015 Woman of Achievement by the United Nations' Beijing Platform for Action.
See also
In Spanish: Patricia Campos Doménech para niños
