GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Service Through the Decades, a panel of five retired female service members, hosted by the local chapter of Lean In, kicked off Women’s History Month events at the Taylor Chapel on Goodfellow, March 8, 2019.
Panel members had a chance to speak and answer questions about the military climate while they served, changes for women in the military, and visionary women who played a part in their careers.
Chief Master Sgt. Lavor Kirkpatrick, 17th Training Wing command chief, kicked the event off with opening remarks.
“I really enjoy these opportunities when we get to reflect on what people have done before us and all the trailblazers who have gone before us to make the service that we have today the great service that it is,” said Kirkpatrick. “The things that we have and enjoy, we have because of people who went before us and tested the system every single day to make sure that we get it right.”
Retirees who were able to take part in the panel hailed from different branches.
Rebecca Sorrel, retired U.S. Army sergeant first class served from 1985 until 2005. She served as an analyst and also became a linguist during her career.
Jo Ann Rachele, retired U.S. Air Force technical sergeant, also served as a Women in the Air Force member from 1973 until 1975 when it was decommissioned and the women were intergrated into the Air Force, she continued to serve until 1993.
Loris Kirkpatrick, retired U.S. Army first sergeant served from 1979 until 2003, she was a part of one of the first groups to go through basic training after all of the women were integrated into the Army.
Susan Thurston, retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant served from 1983 until 2007, she joined with the intention of flying, and became an airborne linguist.
YoLonda Willis-Pickens, retired Navy chief petty officer served from 1982 until 2006. Willis-Pickens was a part of the intelligence career field during her career.
During the panel, members answered questions and shared experiences from their time serving and the various interactions they shared with other service members.
“I found multiple people to learn things from,” said Willis-Pickens. “I didn’t want to look up to only one person because then you put them on a pedestal. You can glean different things you want to learn from multiple people.”
The women also spoke about knowing the type of leader that you want to become by learning from not only those you look up to, but also those you don’t.
“I had someone who I looked up to only to find out that they stabbed me in the back,” said Thurston. “I learned that I never wanted to be like that to anyone who looked up to me.”
There will be other events around base in honor of Women’s History Month throughout March. For more information regarding the events contact either Master Sgt. Amber Isenberg at 325-654-5306 or Tech. Sgt. Rebekka Thompson 325-654-4144.