If you want to be a female pilot you need to have, or be able to develop the following:You will also need to study hard, work hard and do everything you can to be the best pilot you can be. In my opinion all pilots need these traits, so my point is simply be a good pilot and the rest will fall in place. Don't worry about being a female pilot. Work hard and be a good pilot, you will do fine.

As others have said there are good pilots and bad pilots. Some from each category happen to be men, some happen to be women. It's up to you to work to be in the good category and please realize the distinction is not completely dependant on stick and rudder. Good CRM, good systems knowledge, ability to think and act clearly in an emergency and just being able to BS over a beer all go into being a good pilot along with stick and rudder.

I would like to comment on some observations due to previous postings. Yes you will be minority. As long as you have all the traits above, so what. Interestingly women are less of a minority right now in the military than the airlines. I just seperated the AF, where my best estimate would say 10% of pilots were female. The major I now fly for has approximately 1% female pilots. Huge difference that even I did not expect. Part of that is the generational experience and will continue to change.

In many ways the seniority system at the majors ensures you will not be discriminated against for being a woman. It virtually eliminates the good ole boy system because upgrades, basing, trips, everything is decided by seniority. Much less ambiguous than most careers you could go into.

Also, on the children point. Absolutely Not All women want kids. It's okay not to, or to be not sure, especially at 20. The point is make your own decision and don't be pressured into a societal expectation if it is not what you want. If you do want kids, the challenges will be unique if you are a pilot, but so will the benefits. Once you are back at work, yes trips and traveling will be difficult, but you will have options at your disposal. Bid short trips, day trips, bid reserve to get more time at home etc. Depending on what type of flying job you get, you may end up with more time at home than with a typical 40 hour work week. Many pilots work 12-16 days a month (all away from home of course) but translates to more time at home than a typical job where you work 22 days a month. Depending on your specific situation this may be easier for you to juggle than a 40 hour work week.
With respect to maternity leave and returning to work, again the seniority system prevents the good ole boy system from impacting your career negatively. When you go back to work you will have your same seniority and aircraft category/position/base as when you left. In most of corporate america this would be hard to ensure. Step out of a law firm or Fortune 500 company for six months and try to return without losing any position, accounts or career competiviteness. Tough at best. My point is the seniority system has many benefits that ensure equality and equal career growth for women.