Highlights:
- Jaleh Misaghi grew up in Iran and dreamed of becoming a Formula 1 driver
- Jaleh and her family arrived in Australia in 1988
- She finally lived out her dream behind the wheel as a bus driver and driving instructor in Sydney
“My grandma always said, 'You were mistakenly born as a girl – you should have been a boy',” Jaleh, who now lives in Sydney, told SBS Persian.
Growing up in pre-revolution Iran, Jaleh had a very different dream to other girls her age - to become a professional race car driver.
“I don’t know what it was about car racing. Whenever I watched it on TV, I enjoyed the excitement, the way the drivers overtook each other, even the way they crashed. I had a unique urge to follow it,” Jaleh said.
An old family photo. Jaleh is the third kid from right. Source: Pariya Taherzadeh
After rejections from many employers, she decided to apply for a truck driving licence.
“Immediately, the officer asked me what I was doing there [at the centre]. I told him 'I’m here to get my truck driving licence'. I was pregnant and I had a bulgy belly. He looked at me and scoffed, 'you better go and look after your kid'."
Hugely disappointed, Jaleh broke down in tears.
I thought, if I can't do what I passionately want in my life, what is the meaning of it all?
"This was a society in which women were always under huge stress. We had to ask for permission from men regarding anything we wanted to do.
"But we are equal to men. We are human beings. Although I respect my husband and discuss everything with him, society itself should not see me differently. They should not ignore me,” Jaleh said.
She also had an unborn baby to think about.
“I said to myself, if I am not happy in this society, my kid will never be happy, either.
“I decided to migrate to a place where all human beings are equal and appreciate each other.”
Migration to Australia
Jaleh, a young Bahai mother, was smuggled out of Iran on camelback with her eight-month-old daughter Pariya in 1984. After two years in Pakistan, the family - including Jaleh's husband - were granted refugee status by Australia.
After overcoming many hurdles, Jaleh finally arrived in the new country she would call home in 1988.
One day, while Jaleh was looking for a job, a friend told her about a bus company that was recruiting new drivers. That, once again, reignited her childhood dream of getting behind the wheel.
Jaleh Misaghi Source: Pariya Taherzadeh
Jaleh finally got her heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) license in 1997.
“When I told my mum [who lived in Iran at that time] that I want to be a bus driver, she was shocked. At that time, she thought it was not a female job. A woman should not be bus driver,” Jaleh said.
I said, mum, instead of begging others for help I will earn money for my life and live independently.
At first, Jaleh said her lack of English made dealing with passengers "difficult”.
However, she kept at it and eventually ascended to another position inside her company: bus driver instructor.
“I have experienced many hardships in my life – including many difficulties in getting my driving licence. So, I try my best to simplify the driving instructions as much as I can for the benefit of others who love to drive buses like me.”
Jaleh's story has been featured on ABC’s “Days Like These — True Stories” podcast.
After her initial reservations, Jaleh's mum proudly and enthusiastically explains to family members and friends that her daughter teaches both males and females how to drive.
'Like flying over the clouds'
Jaleh Misaghi Source: Pariya Taherzadeh
One of Jaleh's fondest memories is of driving a double-decker bus in Sydney in 2017.
“I felt exactly like a flying bird with wind under her wings. Like I was flying over the clouds. I really enjoyed it,” Jaleh said.
The memory of the first time is still fresh in her mind.
“Like a small kid who can't stop eating chocolate, I wanted to drive and drive and drive,” she said, adding, “Even my colleagues were surprised to see me so excited.”
Jaleh said she is not currently working as a driving instructor, as she intends to start her own private company. However, she is still driving a bus - a job she still dearly loves.
Jaleh Misaghi (R) while working as a bus driving instructor Source: Pariya Taherzadeh
