Air Force leaders share women's perspectives

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Bekah Phy
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
PHILADELPHIA (AFPN) --  Servicemembers learned more about the perspectives of women in the military during a leadership forum here July 17. The forum was part of the Tuskegee Airmen Convention ending July 20.

Senior leadership spoke about several issues, including the heroism of Tuskegee Airmen, the history of women in the military, challenges women in the military may face, combating prejudices in the military, and the future of women in the military.

"My heroes truly are the Tuskegee (Airmen) who did so many wonderful things long ago," said Brig. Gen. Margaret H. Woodward, the 89th Airlift Wing commander at Andrews Air Force Base, Md. 

Other panelists mirrored the general's opinion. 

"I thank the Tuskegee Airmen because they have opened the door for us (women in the military)," said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Bonita Davis, who is stationed at Fort Dix, N.J.

The panelists also agreed it's important to remember those who came before, the challenges they faced and the barriers they broke. They said not only have females and African-Americans come a long way, but the military has as well.

One chief also reminded the audience that speed bumps along the road at work, and in life, are normal. "People make mistakes ... if you want to be better and you want to excel, you can recover (from those mistakes)," said Chief Master Sgt. Kathleen Buckner, an individual mobilization augmentee for the Air Force Reserve Command command chief master sergeant.

At the conclusion of the forum, the floor was open for the crowd to ask questions. Audience members inquired about the challenges of balancing their career with motherhood, what women should focus on for personal and professional growth, and how to get the message out about women in the military and the great strides they're making.

General Woodward summed it up and compared women in the military to the heroic Tuskegee Airmen. "In World War II there were tons of people saying African-Americans couldn't fly in the military, and guess who proved them wrong? ... We have to prove (ourselves) every day. We're following in the footsteps of these wonderful Tuskegee Airmen we are honoring today."

Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., is the national organization that works to honor the accomplishments and perpetuate the history of the legendary young African-American men who enlisted during World War II to become America's first black military Airmen, ground crew and mechanics.

The Tuskegee Airmen were young men who enlisted at a time when there were many people who thought that black men lacked intelligence, skill, courage and patriotism. They came from every section of the country, with large numbers coming from New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, and Washington, D.C.

The surviving documented original Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in March 2007, the most distinguished award bestowed by Congress. 

The convention offers a chance to meet these American heroes.

TAI has 51 chapters worldwide. For more information, visit www.tuskegeeairmen.org.

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