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Woman of tenacity applies herself to flying planes, then perfecting sourdough

As a high schooler in Japan in 1994, Miwa Aoki Russell ditched class one day and took a two-hour bus ride to meet the first female pilot in Japan. She was hoping for guidance in her chosen career path in aviation, but was met only with discouragement. Instead of quitting, the 16-year-old asked herself, "Ok, Miwa, what's the next step?"

Miwa explains to My Better Half host Vanessa Finney how she left her native Japan to study in the U.S. and pursue her dream of becoming an airplane pilot. After a long career in flying, she started her own baking business; now her breads can be found in Rogue Valley stores and at .

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Vanessa Finney is JPR's All Things Considered host. She also produces the ÀÏ·ò×Ó´«Ã½ Exchange segments My Better Half - exploring how people are thriving in the second half of their lives - and The Creative Way, which profiles regional artists.