Women of Goodfellow experience "Ladies Night Out" Published Feb. 28, 2012 By By 2nd Lt. Leanne Caballer 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas- -- Music, fancy decorations, useful information and fun galore filled the Event Center Feb. 23, as the women of Goodfellow celebrated "Ladies Night Out," an event sponsored by the Sexual Assault Prevention Response office. "The aim of the event was to help Goodfellow women stay healthy, sane and safe," said Donna Casey, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. More than a hundred women attended the event, modeled after a similar one held for freshman females attending Angelo State University in San Angelo. "Throughout my time working in military installations, I have never seen a women's only informative fun event like this one," said Casey. "We began planning for the event in November and are extremely happy with the turnout." Ellery Damiano, 17th Training Wing Key Spouse, said the event was exciting with a good mix of women, students, retirees, spouses and permanent party. The event featured a wide variety of information including more than a dozen information booths. Topics included women's health, public health, drug awareness, OPSEC, financial management and nutrition. The Airman and Family Readiness Center, Key Spouses, Parks University and the inspector general also participated in the event. Motivational guest speakers, belly dancing, zumba and self defense demonstrations by the Marine Corps added excitement to the atmosphere. "In a predominantly male career field, women in the military rarely get the chance to be in an environment focused on celebrating womanhood," said Lori Matus, Sexual Assault Response Assistant. "We wanted the event to be a positive female experience." Matus added that often times the daily role of a woman can be stressful whether she is active duty military or a spouse. Such stress leads some women to put their personal needs on the back burner. "The event was geared towards helping women meet their needs and deal with stress in a healthy manner," she said. Casey said one of the goals for the event was to raise general awareness of women's issues, build motivation, and to introduce the personable staff of the SAPR office, willing to help Team Goodfellow with any issues.
