As a young Afghan woman who dreamed of becoming an air force pilot, Niloofar Rahmani confronted far more than technical challenges; she faced the opprobrium of an entire society.Pamela Constable, author ofPlaying with Fireand former Kabul and Islamabad bureau chief for theWashington Post

The true story ofNiloofarRahmaniand her determination to become Afghanistans first female air force pilotas seen onAnderson CooperandABC News

In 2010, for the first time since the Soviets, Afghanistan allowed women to join the armed forces, andNiloofarentered Afghanistans military academy.

Niloofarhad to break through social barriers to demonstrate confidence, leadership, and decisivenessessential qualities for apilot.Niloofarperformed the first solo flight of her classahead of all her male classmatesand in 2013 became Afghanistans first female fixed-wing air force pilot.

The US State Department honoredNiloofarwith the International Women of Courage Award andbroughther to the United States to meet Michelle Obama and fly with the US Navys Blue Angels.But when she returned to Kabul, the danger to her and her family had increased significantly.

Rahmani and her family are portraitsofthe resiliency of refugees and the accomplishments they can reach when affordedwith opportunities