In the past, we were so used to men being in leadership positions but to be on an all-female command team makes me proud of how far the military has come. Capri Vasquez: "I absolutely love working with these women. Diversity is our superpower and with it we can change the world."
This is a true testament that the Air Force is making strides to leverage the military’s greatest power…diversity. The majority of my Air Force career, it wasn’t common to have a female commander, let alone, an all-female leadership team. Growing up in a small city in Georgia, very seldom did I see a woman of color in a key leadership position. Anitra Crosby, 316th OMRS senior enlisted leader: "I am honored to have this opportunity to serve on such a dynamic and unique team. People are watching and are inspired by you, may even ask you to take a picture, so that one day they can follow in your footsteps." Become comfortable with being the only one in the room! Unapologetically take your seat at the table and know that you deserve to sit in it! And most of all…don’t be silent. I am currently the only African American female commander at the group and wing levels which is not unfamiliar to me, since I have often been the only one in the room. Representation matters! The coined phrase 'If you can see it, you can be it' resonated in my ears louder than even the day I pinned on colonel a little over a year ago.
She obliged, and even though I don’t even remember her name, I still have that picture. Stefanie Watkins Nance, 316th OMRS commander: “'Ma’am, may I take a picture with you?' were the words that came out of my second lieutenant mouth as I ran up to the first female African American colonel I had ever seen. As we conclude this year's Women's History Month, the leadership at the 316th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron share their thoughts and perspectives as Air Force military and civilian members, as well as their unique positions in an all-women-of-color leadership team.Ĭol.
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