First of Her Kind From Afghanistan to the Australian Air Force, one young woman’s determination reshapes what’s possible

Kbora Ali was just nine when she arrived in Australia. She and her family had already fled the Taliban in their homeland of Afghanistan and been forced to leave the sanctuary they had found in Pakistan. Shy, uncertain and homesick, she faced a new language, different food, an unfamiliar culture. But her unwavering determination to succeed in her new home led her down an unexpected path. In 2016, aged 18, and initially against her parents' wishes, she became the first woman of Afghan descent to join the Australian Army. Her decision brought unforeseen celebrity and media coverage, including an award-winning SBS story. There was more to come. In 2022 Kbora transferred to the Australian Air Force and became a UNICEF Australia Young Ambassador. Two years later she was named Enlisted Aviator of the Year and also Woman of the Year in the Advertiser and Sunday Mail SkyCity awards. At the end of 2024 she graduated with a master's degree in strategic people management from the University of New South Wales. Kbora Ali is a compelling narrator, humble, refreshingly honest and full of insight, unafraid to express emotion, always grateful for her parents' sacrifices and the constant support of her siblings, especially her beloved sisters. In a world where immigration is too often associated with conflict and prejudice, First of Her Kind tells how one extraordinary young woman has overcome every challenge to build a fulfilling life that honours her heritage and the country she is proud to call home.