Armless pilot Jessica Cox a speaker in ‘Women’s Leadership Day’
The world’s first armless pilot Jessica Cox was one of the speakers in JPMorgan Chase’s eighth annual Women’s Leadership Day conference on October 5.
The event brought together thousands of employees and clients in New York City as well as virtually around the globe. Dedicated to celebrating and empowering women, the event featured speakers across various industries to discuss issues affecting women today, including career growth, entrepreneurship, financial health, allyship, representation in leadership, healthcare and much more.
Aside from Cox, who is Filipina American, this year’s notable speakers included tennis champion, advocate and entrepreneur Naomi Osaka; actress, advocate and TransTech founder Angelica Ross; and Chairman and CEO of JPMorgan Chase Jamie Dimon, among many others.
“Women’s Leadership Day gives women and allies of all backgrounds a chance to share their journeys, hear from diverse voices and find the inspiration to lead with purpose — even in the face of challenges,” said Sam Saperstein, Global Head of Women on the Move at JPMorgan Chase. “This event not only illustrates our firm’s support of women, but also reminds our community that we must all work together to drive progress and gender equity.”
For her part, Cox said, “When we embrace our unique abilities and stories, and connect them with creativity and determination, we can turn any challenge into an opportunity. Speaking at the JPMorgan Chase Women’s Leadership Day reinforced my belief that when we uplift one another, we can achieve our own impossible. Let’s continue to break barriers, not just in the skies but in the boardrooms and in businesses.”
Cox is a motivational speaker and, according to her website, featured on TV shows like Ellen, CNN, National Geographic, Fox and Friends, and BBC News. Her speaking career spans 18 years, 28 countries, and audiences up to 40,000 people. Companies like AT&T, NASA, the Smithsonian, State Farm, and Cisco have asked her for inspirational workshops, keynotes, and more.
She was born without arms on February 2, 1983 in the United States to Filipina Inez from Eastern Samar and William Cox, an American. She grew up asking with frustration and anger, “Why me? Why do I have to be different?” She learned to see the blessings in her life and accept herself as a whole person. Now, Cox flies airplanes, drives cars, is married, and otherwise lives a normal life. She is the author of “Disarm Your Limits,” an autobiographical self-help book that has sold more than 10,000 copies. She also writes a monthly article for Flying Magazine. When she’s not flying off into the sunset, Cox continues to train in Taekwondo, where she’s a Fourth Degree Black Belt.
