LOS ANGELES AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Women from Space Systems Command and Space Base Delta 3 participated in a Women's Equality Day panel honoring and celebrating the contributions of women to service at Los Angeles Air Force Base, El Segundo, Calif., August 26, 2024. The panel consisted of Ms. Barbara Baker, Deputy Program Executive Officer, Military Communications & Positioning, Navigation and Timing, SSC; Maj. Liza Flint, Section Commander, Command Support Staff, SSC; Lt. Col. Natasha Peeples, Materiel Leader Combat Systems Branch, Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power, SSC; Master Sgt. Adrianna Romero, Flight Chief, Military Personnel Flight, 61st FSS; Col. Liz Howarth, Commander, 61 MDS; Ms. Rosie Manning, TOPA Flight, 61st MDS who shared their unique experiences serving in or with the military in their combined 129 years of service.
Throughout the week leading up to the panel, members shared who an inspirational woman was to them.
Howarth shared, "The inspirational woman I would like to highlight is my Mom. Joyce Maureen Hawkins was born in 1932 and grew up in a time where women were not encouraged to explore their worth beyond marriage and children. My mom was a beautiful woman that truly embodied the whole person concept. She was wife and mother of four children, three boys and one girl (me!). She was a sister to seven other siblings and grew up in a small town in Oregon. She was a painter and used her creativity and artistic talent to embrace her entrepreneurial spirit. She continued to grow her artistic capabilities and was asked to show her paintings at art galleries in Oregon, she and another strong beautiful woman opened an antique business which was going strong all while I was in grade school and high school, and she opened a restaurant with three other sisters in Corvallis, Oregon while I was in college. Her spirit of adventure is strong in all of us kids and is one of the reasons that I joined the Air Force. Although she passed when I was in my late 20s, she continues to influence my decisions and taught me the value of hard work, perseverance…and to not forget to have some laughs along the way! Love you, Mom!"
During the panel Howarth also noted a personal experience while serving on a deployment, where the culture of the country was more male oriented and described how she eventually won over their trust due to her knowledge and expertise in her field. She asserted, "Women have to take opportunities to lead and say yes! Others have to see us in these positions."
Peeples shared a woman who inspired her, "Lt. Col. April Wimmer was my first female squadron commander, and the last since then. Her ability to mentor and coach me through a difficult period inspired me on how it looks to lead as a female and not shy away from the gifts we bring which are inherently different than our male counterparts. Years later, she presided over my promotion ceremony, and it was the most meaningful officiator role I have had. Even now, during her retirement – she still reaches out to keep in touch. I don’t currently have this kind of mentorship from any other female in the military, which is sorely missed and for that I am forever grateful to such a uniquely qualified and talented heroine in my life. She allowed me to accept the parts of me that were different than others with grace, and a humanity that brings us all together."
Peeples described how she shows up everyday and helps people understand how they've developed their frame of reference and perspectives, ultimately educating individuals on their unconscious bias in a supportive way while staying true to who she is.
Romero named three women who inspire her, "Col. Elizabeth Eychener who is currently serving as the Air Force Services Center Commander. I admire her because she has the ability to hold standards and discipline with firmness and kindness. She has allowed her people to have program ownership and self-accountability. Chief Master Sgt. retired Hope Skibitsky held multiple positions with tenacity and is a fellow Military Training Instructor; I learned from her to be unapologetically my own self. Chief Master Sgt. retired Maryann Navarro is the woman that has made the biggest impact in my personal life and my whole career. This is someone that will leave an imprint on all those who are blessed to know her. She is down to earth but keeps is honest. I am the Airman that I am because of the impact she has left in me on how she poured into my cup to be better everyday, because of her, I know how to pour into my people and professionally develop them. She is my mentor."
She shared her story of resilience from the start of her military journey where it took her four years to finally become a naturalized U.S. citizen to be able to join the military, her lifelong dream. Romero described barriers she faces as something she will continue to overcome and reminded the audience that, "everyone is going through something, at the end of the day we are all just trying to do our best."
Baker offered book recommendations Invisible Women and The Confidence Code, which she said helped her understand how men and women think and communicate differently which inspired her to show up confidently and remember we have a place in any space. She expressed gratitude to her mentor, Senior Master Sgt. Pearl Gomez.
"She was my supervisor when I was an E-3/4. She taught me the value of mentoring the next generation and finding ways to bring them along for the ride. I hope I have emulated that behavior throughout my career."
Flint had an inspirational quote of her own to pass along to the audience. “Less Talking, More Doing…Be the Change You Want To See. Don’t make it a big deal when you are the only woman in the room…you are SUPPOSED to be there."
She described a pivotal moment in her career when she was deployed with a joint Army aviation community that consisted of a lot of women. this inspired her to get her private pilot license and gave her the realization that there is no limit to what women can do. Her daily pivotal moments happen when she chooses herself and her path to happiness.
When it comes to work life balance, Manning shared how she leaves work at work and resets when she gets home. She continued, "That is how I continue to show up as my best self no matter what is going on."
The panel members agreed that we've come along way towards gender equality but we have more work to do. As we continue to advocate for women to be in spaces of leadership we also make space for men to advocate on our behalf. Flint concluded, "Assuming limitations of a member based on their gender is a detriment to the organization. Diverse teams bring diversity of thought and are important in accomplishing the mission."
Thank you to everyone who attend the event in person and online as well as a special shout out to our planning committee, Master Sgt. Natasha Hutto-Harris, Tech. Sgt. Alyssa Green, and Staff Sgt. Sabrina Gipson. You can check out more photos from the panel here: