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Tag: Women in leadership

Ordinary Women, Extraordinary Stories – Porcelain on Steel Now Available

Published on June 8, 2010

Today is an important day; Porcelain on Steel: Women of West Point’s Long Gray Line is officially released. While writing is a solitary act, publishing requires a team effort. Bringing this book to life was a six-year journey during which many supported me. It came to fruition thanks to many friends, family members, mentors and professionals who believed in the idea and provided endless amounts of encouragement, counsel, love and friendship.

My hope is Porcelain on Steel inspires constructive conversation about strong women role models and the importance of education, leadership, personal responsibility and public service.

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Honored Role (part 18): 2nd Lt. Taneshina Wright – Body & Mind

Published on May 21, 2010

This is the 18th installment in the Honored Role Series.

Saturday’s graduation at West Point will mark 30 years since the first women joined “the long gray line” of graduates of the storied Military Academy. During the commencement exercises, Taneshina Wright will take the oath of a commissioned officer and become a Second Lieutenant in the U.S, Army, a goal seven years in the making.

Of the 119 women who entered on July 1, 1976, 62 graduated four years later in the class of 1980, the first West Point class to include women. The class of 2010 will graduate 135 women of the 181 who entered four years ago. Wright is one of 27 cadets who previously served in the Army.

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Honored Role (part 17): Maj. Candice O’Brien – One Step at Time

Published on May 7, 2010

This is the 17th installment in the Honored Role Series.

In Kindergarten Candice O’Brien started running the 1/8th of a mile loop around her elementary school in Muscatine, Iowa. Each time she finished ahead of all the other kids—girls and boys. Although she ran for fun, she did not want anyone to beat her.

From a family of mid-western educators, Candice planned on attending Drake University in her home state and studying journalism. When she learned of West Point, the challenge and scholarship it offered, she applied.

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Honored Role (part 16): Col. (ret.) Crissy Gayagas – In Balance

Published on April 26, 2010

This is the 16th installment in the Honored Role Series.

More than a word of welcome or parting, “Aloha”, in the Hawaiian language means affection, love, peace, compassion and mercy. Often described as the coordination of mind and heart, it also means the extension of warmth in caring with no obligation in return. This would also be a fair description of the islands soul manifested by those from Hawaii. This exceptional attitude is the working philosophy that Christine “Crissy” Gayagas brought east from her island home to West Point, and around the world.

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Writing Women Back into History

Published on March 31, 2010

March is Women’s History Month and this year’s theme is “Writing Women Back into History.” Honored to be the guest speaker at West Point’s Women’s History month celebration, I had an unique opportunity to share my story and the genius of Porcelain on Steel: Women of West Point’s Long Gray Line with a diverse audience of cadets, officers, staff and faculty on the banks of the Hudson River in New York on 26 March 2010.

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Honored Role (part 14): Hannah Clifford – From the DMZ to VC, Frontline Leadership

Published on March 5, 2010

This is the 14th installment in the Honored Role Series.

Her military background is different from many colleagues, but Hannah Clifford says working with start-up companies is similar to that of being an Army officer. “At West Point and in Army, I was trained to act in the absence of guidance, communicate simply, lead by example, treat my soldiers with respect and trust their expertise and decision-making, and build a team.”

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Honored Role series (part 13): Capt. Raven Bukowski – Planting the Seeds of Service

Published on February 26, 2010

This is the 13th installment in the Honored Role Series.

Although Raven Bukowski’s late grandfather, Donald, never spoke about his experiences as a sergeant in the 3rd Infantry Division during World War II, his quiet patriotism and strength planted in her the seed to become a soldier. Raven knew only that her grandfather fought in Salerno, Italy and returned home with a Purple Heart.

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