Women's Leadership Symposium

This past week I was lucky enough to attend a Women's Leadership Symposium in Washington D.C. There were over 1,000 women in uniform in attendance from the Navy, Coast Guard, and the Marine Corps. I was so motivated by these women who have gone before me, that have paved the way for women to be where we are today in the Military.

This is still a male dominated field and as a woman you can still be a leader and advance to anything that you strive for. Women still have a long way to go in the Military. So many of the women that spoke had had so many firsts. First woman to command a Naval Station, first woman to command the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, first woman to achieve the rank of a three-star general, and I even met a Senior Chief that was the first woman Chief to be at her command this year. These women are so inspirational and have done so much.

The main question I posed to many different women in the symposium was "How do you have a successful Naval career and a successful family life?"  Most of the women told me that you will have to make sacrifices, of course I already knew this, but they also gave me a lot to think about. A Captain, married with no children, told me I have to educate personnel that don't have a families so they understand what it means to have that family at home. A Senior Chief told me it's not about the quantity of time you spend with your family but the quality, like sitting down to dinner. Another told me I have to decide what is best for my family and ensure I put them first and to remember that there are a million moments in a child's life, don't feel guilty for the ones you missed, write down the ones you got to experience.  

Here are a couple of pictures

This is the first female Master Chief in the Navy.  She is also an original WAVES member.

Even the Chief of Naval Operations made time for us!