DUTY HONOR COUNTRY
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 16 JANUARY 2010 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT INSIDE THIS ISSUE: and engaged AOG and Academy Women to leverage By Marene Allison ‗80 relationships to benefit West Point Women. NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINES 2 Happy New Year! I hope you were able to enjoy We have discovered over these first several years that WPW & BUSINESS 4 the holidays with family and friends and that you we are a diverse group of women who are joined have defined your new goals for not only the next 30 YEARS & ITS JUST THE 5 through a common shared West Point and Army year, but for the next decade. On that note, you BEGINNING experience. We have also recognized that we are a will soon be hearing about West Point Women‘s hardworking and busy group of ladies, who while we goals for the upcoming years. Until our next would like to be more involved have a difficult time OUR ALAMA MATER 6 newsletter, when we publish these goals, I will actually making that happen. fill you in our accomplishments since our founda- WPW & POLITICS AND 7 tion. WPW, as a board and organization, believes it is our GOVERNMENT duty to find ways to strengthen our links to one an- Since 2005, we have held a Women‘s Conference other, educate each other on what is happening all at West Point in 2006, voted in 3 boards, stood WPW & FAMILY 8 around our alumnae, learn from one another, and up a website, and es- empower us to be stronger WPW & EDUCATION 8 tablished a newsletter, in all our endeavors. and published 16 edi- WPW & NETWORKING 9 tions. We have also Again, Happy New Year! I communicated to our hope that you have a pros- WPW & SPORTS 11 a l u m s t h r o u g h perous, healthy and happy Linkedin and Facebook year! WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE WPW? 12
For those very lucky DID YOU KNOW? 12 DUTY individuals, the By Kate Hiebert ‗96 moment when duty Caroline Taft ‘10. In both family and military no longer became a realms, Crissy Gayagas ‘84 has found a way to As young adults we chose the duty bound path of requirement but a way of life was the moment a West Point education and signed on for a lim- when they found their passion. At that mo- gracefully balance her passions with great con- ited time to devote our lives, our hopes and our ment, duty no longer had a self-sacrificing con- viction. In education, Donna Brazil ‘83 ex- minds in support of our national defense. It rep- notation, but a much more liberating and pas- hibits great fortitude in pursuing higher educa- resented, and still for many of us today repre- sionate way to exist. tion. On the fields of friendly strife, Sylvia sents, a moral and physical obligation to serve Thomas ‘11 describes what it takes to be on others, contribute to society and achieve a mean- For me, I believe that I have certainly per- the West Point Women‘s Rugby team. Fi- ingful life. At the time of that decision, most of formed my duties in life as promised and con- us were aware of what duty meant, but probably tinue to find happiness with the people in my nally, in life, you will find Donna McAleer ‘87 few of us knew how duty felt. As cadets and life and in the decisions that I have made, but calls writing her new-found passion. Have you young officers, we were keenly aware of what finding my very own passion has eluded me. found your passion-filled-duty? If so, consider duty required of us and how we needed to per- How envious am I of those who have both dis- yourself very lucky! form under challenging and sometimes stressful covered and live their passion-filled duty. For- circumstances. tunately, I am inspired by our fellow alums who seemed to have found ways to align their duties For many of us, duty continues to be defined as and passions. service to our nation as a commissioned officer while for others, duty continues to manifest itself On the following pages, you can read more through other, honorable career and life choices. about those ladies who are inspiring us all…In For some, duty is embodied in family or religion, the military, Shelley Raymond ‘96 reflects on while others believe that their duty belongs to her duties as an S3. From West Point, you will some other person, organization, idea, or con- hear how our cadets are finding even more ways cept or some combination of any of the above. to give back and broaden their horizons from
WEST POINT WOMEN PAGE 2 JANUARY 2010 QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
NEWS FROM THE FRONTLINE in defense of our country. We have Being All You Can Be: Good News for Women in the posted position papers on allowing mili- tary women to serve in all units and Military National Women‘s Law Center, welcomed the news occupations for which they qualify, pro- September 28, 2009 and commended the Navy officials for this important viding military women full access to By Melanie Ross Levin, step. When the Navy‘s intention becomes a reality, reproductive health care, eliminating Outreach Manager, the potential pool of candidates for submarine ser- sexual assault, and the need for a revital- and Holly Hemphill, Senior vice will greatly expand – which will not only help ized Defense Advisory Committee on Counsel, with recruitment, but increase the quality of our Women in the Services. We have also National Women's Law force. outlined other recommendations to end Center In a second move, showing progress of women in the discrimination against women in the Army, Command Sgt. Maj. Teresa L. King got a big military in our Platform for Progress. Both the Army and the promotion – one that will put her in charge of over- By moving forward on these issues, the Navy made the news last week with positive de- seeing the drill sergeant training for the entire U.S. Department of Defense will acknowl- velopments not only for women in the military Army. CSM King will be the first woman in this key edge what many of us already know – but also for all people who care about quality - and position – a position that influences the basic training that women in the military have proven equality - in our armed forces. of every enlisted soldier. CSM King said that one of their value and valor and deserve full We begin by reporting that Secretary of the Navy her priorities would be to recruit more women into equality and opportunity in serving our Ray Mabus and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. her drill sergeant school, and said, ―Women should country. Gary Roughead have announced their intention to be allowed into frontline combat units ... if they We look forward to more good news in ―move out aggressively‖ to allow women to serve meet the same standards as men.‖ Sounds obvious the coming months, as more military aboard submarines. That‘s right, in 2009, women right? It‘s not... Currently women are excluded not assignments open up for women and as are currently prohibited from serving on subma- only from submarine duty but also from serving in more leaders like CSM Teresa L. King rines, even though they have been successfully infantry, armor and artillery units. are recognized. serving on surface warfare vessels since the mid- Here at the National Women‘s Law Center we think For more information check out 1990s. Nancy Duff Campbell, Co-President of the that women should be full partners with men serving www.nwlc.org/military. Pregnant soldiers could face court-martial Cucolo's order outlines some 20 barred ac- tivities. Most of them are aimed at keeping Friday, December 18, 2009; 5:27 PM Army spokesman George Wright said the ser- order and preventing criminal activity, such By ANNE FLAHERTY vice typically sends home from the battlefield as selling a weapon or taking drugs. The Associated Press soldiers who become pregnant. But it is not an But other restrictions seemed aimed at pre- WASHINGTON -- A U.S. Army general in north- Army-wide policy to punish them under the venting soldiers from leaving their unit short- ern Iraq has added pregnancy to the list of reasons military's legal code, he said. handed, including becoming pregnant or a soldier under his command could be court- However, division commanders like Cucolo undergoing elective surgery that would pre- martialed. have the authority to impose these type of re- vent their deployment. The new policy, outlined last month by Maj. Gen. strictions to personnel operating under their Under Cucolo's order, troops also are pro- Anthony Cucolo and released Friday by the Army, command, Wright said. hibited from "sexual contact of any kind" would apply to both female soldiers who become with Iraqi nationals. And, they cannot spend pregnant on the battlefield and the male soldiers Cucolo oversees forces in northern Iraq, an area the night with a member of the opposite sex, who impregnate them. that includes the cities of Kirkuk, Tikrit and unless married or expressly permitted to do Civilians reporting to Cucolo also could face Mosul. His Nov. 4 order was first reported by so. criminal prosecution under the new guidelines. the military newspaper Stars and Stripes.
Women in COIN (II): How to do it right tended the respect shown to observed, the female Marines were invited men, but granted the access inside several compounds, while the male Friday, October 9, 2009 reserved for women," the report finds. "In other Marines stayed outside. "And in each case, By Thomas E. Ricks words, the culture is more flexible than we've the FET succeeded in breaking the ice and conditioned ourselves to think." getting women to open up and discuss their I've been reading a recent internal summary of daily lives and concerns." Nor was this an how Marine "Female Engagement Teams," or Second, the teams have been successful in reach- isolated event. When patrols returned, "we FETs, have worked in Afghanistan. The bottom ing the other half of the population, one that discovered some Afghan women had been line is that done right, this approach works sur- carries disproportionate influence with the prime anticipating the opportunity to meet Ameri- prisingly well, with benefits among the popula- Taliban recruiting pool. "Local women wield can women. In one home, the women said tion that can't be achieved by males. The findings more influence than many of us imagined- they had caught glimpses of the patrolling run directly contrary to several assertions made influence on their husbands, brothers, and espe- FET through a crack in the wall and that they in the comments reacting to my previous post cially their adolescent sons." had ‗prayed you would come to us.'" The fact on this subject. that the Afghan women welcomed return First, Afghans don't seem to mind the female When one patrol that took a FET with it was ( C o n t i n u e d o n n e x t p a g e ) teams. Paradoxically, "Female Marines are ex- WEST POINT WOMEN VOLUME 16 JANUARY 2010 PAGE 3
(Continued from group, rather than a pick-up team of female Ma- than ripping through a list of questions, the previous page) rines who happen to be around. The FETs also report notes, except perhaps whipping out need extremely good interpreters, who must be a notebook in which to record the an- visits indicated that female, fluent, and healthy enough to walk foot swers. Do that only on subsequent visits, their men hadn't patrols. It also helps if they are self-confident after a relationship has been developed. punished them for enough to confront an Afghan male who rudely speaking to Ameri- intrudes on the conversation. Take humanitarian aid into the com- cans. pounds, where the women can get it, in- The women interviewed also had surprisingly stead of dumping it on a clamoring crowd There are several other tips in the report of the in the marketplace, where the strongest, diverse backgrounds. Though all impoverished sort that only come from observed experience: now, some had once been prosperous. One fastest or most-feared men get it. "We group of young women reported that they had recommend using the FETs to distribute been held captive by the Taliban. Afghan security forces have to be watched and grain directly to the women of each house- prevented from coming along as peeping toms. hold." Good gifts are rice, beans, sugar, A special eye needs to be kept on non-Pashtun tea, cooking oil and aspirin. The interactions also seemed to change how soldiers and policemen. some local men viewed the Marine presence. The FETs need two types of preparation: "One gentleman with a gray beard who opened All the Marine stuff about patrolling, his home to the FET put it this way: ‗Your men The female Marines should wear headscarves, search techniques, and immediate action come to fight, but we know the women are here so when they remove their helmets inside drills, plus training in culture, history and to help.'" compounds they are clearly seen as women, the use of interpreters. http:// especially by men watching from the sidelines. ricks.foreignpolicy.com/ But, the report warns, these teams can't be run posts/2009/10/09/ casually. They are best done as a full-time job, First engagements should not be turned into _coin_ii_how_to_do_it_right overseen by an officer who trains and shapes the interviews. Nothing freezes interaction quickly S3 Duties: An Interview with Major Shelley Raymond ‘96
Of the many jobs an army officer holds through- branch qualifying)? There is a significant level of 6. Could you describe a typical day/week/ out a career, that of an S3 is one of the most im- responsibility involved, and invaluable lessons year for a Battalion S3? Non-stop is the portant to the organization and probably the most learned along the way that help prepare an officer most accurate way to describe a typical challenging. In that vein, I asked my classmate, for the next phase of their career. The job brings day. While deployed it‘s spent planning and Major Shelley Raymond ‗96, who recently rede- challenges that require an S3 to be the ultimate overseeing the execution of combat opera- ployed from Iraq, to answer a few questions about multi-tasker, yet trust and rely on assigned sub- tions, and in garrison, the primary focus is being an S3. Below are her answers: ordinates to accomplish all that is required. If you on training in preparation for the next de- get an ―A-team‖ consider yourself blessed. With ployment. 1. What does a Battalion S3 do? The Battalion little to no say in team member selection, per- Operations Officer (S3) supervises the operations sonnel management is a critical skill in harnessing 7. Can you tell us your most memorable section responsible for all planning, training, and the strengths to build a capable functioning sec- moment as an S3? The most interesting operations for the unit. The operations section is tion that is able to meet exceptional demands in a time I‘ve had as an S3 was while on a special the heart of the unit and vital to the overall mis- fast-paced environment. assignment when I was an S3 deployed dur- sion accomplishment. Perhaps the most critical ing OIF 07-09. For a month, I had tempo- role in garrison is to plan and resource training 4. How do you like being a Battalion S3? How rary duty at Bucca, a detention facility hold- that will posture the unit for success in executing do you like it in comparison to being a Platoon ing over 20,000 detainees in southern Iraq its combat mission. The S3 sets the conditions and Leader or Company Commander? It‘s exciting at that time. I served on a board that was supports the company commanders to ensure each because you never know what the day will bring, charged with determining whether a de- Soldier is trained so they are proficient in their but there is no comparison to being a PL or tainee remained a threat to Coalition wartime mission. Company Commander. It was a privilege to lead Forces, the Government of Iraq, or the Iraqi Soldiers and have the opportunity to positively people. Throughout each day, we reviewed 2. How do you get selected to be a Battalion impact their lives on a daily basis. As a staff offi- and interviewed several detainees individu- S3? In most units, the Battalion S3 position is cer there is obviously less direct interaction with ally to arrive at our recommendation. This assigned to a Major who has successfully com- Soldiers. was an eye opening experience and I am pleted company command. There are exceptions grateful for the opportunity to get an inside to this, but a unit benefits by having a mature 5. What did you need to know as a Battalion view of the process. officer who is level headed and capable of making S3? 1. Staff officers support the companies, not You can find more information via the Bat- quick decisions, characteristics that often develop the other way around. 2. The most important tle Command Knowledge System website from experience. thing to acknowledge in the job is that your deci- by visiting https://s3-xonet.army.mil/ sions ultimately affect Soldiers. 3. The level of s3xo 3. Why do you think the Battalion S3 job is a Key effort you personally put into your job can make and Developmental job (formerly referred to as a difference for the companies. THANKS SHELLEY! WEST POINT WOMEN PAGE 4 JANUARY 2010 QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
either position or lead their organizations taught me many invaluable and worthwhile WPW AND BUSINESS is essential. Without that deep love, it lessons. I have deepened my understanding of Going It Alone-The Life of would be difficult to get out of bed each day to where my strengths and weaknesses lie and tackle the myriad of tasks. what drives me. a Small Business Today, I have four contracts and one pending. Going it alone is not for everyone, so if you By Kate Hiebert ‗96 My work hours are up in the range of 90 hours are thinking about stepping out on your own, I each week. My brain has to wrap itself around encourage you to do the following: Two years ago, my ambition to take on more topics that span biometric facial recognition in challenge, dissatisfaction with my current work the private sector to training and workforce Talk to people and bounce your ideas off situation, love of consulting and desire to make a development for the Air Force acquisition cost of them difference within the workplace while maintain- estimators in the public sector. The good news Ask yourself a lot of questions—personal ing a military dependent household supporting an is that while the workloads are hefty now, I questions and answer with great honesty infantryman and two young boys, prompted me anticipate being able to hire two employees to start my own company. At that point, I had within the next six months. The downside to Read about what it takes to run a busi- served six years in the Army, attained two mas- that, at least what other business owners tell ness. I suggest reading Start Your Own ters degrees and completed four years of con- me, is hiring new employees is riskier than Business: The Only Start-Up Book You’ll Ever sulting with a large firm. So, in January 2008, I starting the business in the first place. Trusting Need by Rieva Lesonsky and The McGraw- formed Michael Patrick Consulting, LLC, a strat- my own reliability is one thing, but placing that Hill Guide to Start Your Own Business by egy and management consulting firm. This ac- same faith and confidence in newcomers in Stephen C. Harper. (There are plenty of tion was both a little scary and risky, but extraor- support of a company with my reputation at- books out there, so the choices are dinarily liberating. tached to it, will require a huge leap of faith, I aplenty.) am certain. In the beginning, I started with two contracts and Check-out business start-up websites that worked 50-60 hour work weeks. Before January I can honestly tell you that my military training help you form, file and comply with lo- 2008, I simply had to worry about consulting. and experiences coupled with an MBA from cal, state and federal rules such as bizfil- Since then, I have had to be a one-woman- George Washington University have prepared ings.com show—-chief executive officer, strategist, mar- me well to handle this endeavor. In addition, keter, financial officer, contracts specialist, ac- my family is also very supportive as I frequently Do your market and industry research countant, compliance officer, and, of course, travel far away from home and work long If you are already out there leading and run- consultant. Being dedicated, organized and hours. ning your own company, bravo! If you have knowledgeable about all aspects of business is the any questions or comments for me, please feel key to maintaining my schedule and ensure eve- Research tells us that if a company can make it free to send me an email at rything gets done. But, more importantly, my five years, it has a chance to be a real success. [email protected] passion for solving problems and helping others So far, so good. The experience thus far has
Negotiating Your Way no longer compromise). Second, it is to realize Ury. Through Life that getting both parties to feel as though they Also, for our cadet audience, BS&L teaches a have benefitted from a negotiation dialogue is negotiations course that is in high demand. By Kate Hiebert ‗96 important not only for the deal at hand but also Best of luck to all of you in your next upcom- for the long term relationship between the par- ing negotiation! While in graduate school, I had a terrific profes- ties. Finally, it is helpful to research your oppo- sor, Dr. Hildy Teegen, then an International nent and understand their perspective while Business professor at George Washington Uni- outlining your best case scenario. Armed with Fact Box versity and now the Dean of the Moore School of the above information gives you boundaries and Every 30 minutes, an Afghan woman Business at the University of South Carolina. I allows you to confidently engage in whatever dies during childbirth literally signed up for every course she taught negotiating encounter. that fit into my schedule, but her negotiations 87 percent of Afghan women are illiter- class was the best. At that point in my life, I had Ultimately, what Dr. Teegen taught me is ate realized that I was not very good at negotiating ―master the art of negotiating and you‘ll be able 30 percent of girls have access to educa- for myself. I was much better advocating for to shape your choices and challenges.‖ She has tion in Afghanistan others (or so I thought) than for myself. been right so far. 1 in every 3 Afghan women experience Dr. Teegen made me realize that negotiations For more information on techniques to negoti- physical, psychological or sexual vio- were very much a part of our everyday lives— ating effectively, both professors and practitio- lence ners of negotiations alike recommend reading: from negotiating with your children over the 44 years is the average life expectancy food they‘d eat or the clothes they‘d wear to the Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without rate for women in Afghanistan price of your next contract to handling conflicts Giving In by Roger Risher, William Ury between parties on the battlefield. As such, the 70 to 80 percent of women face forced and Bruce Patton art, or rather the science of negotiating is to marriages in Afghanistan clearly define your objective and worst case sce- Source: http://www.afghan-web.com/woman/ Getting Past No: Negotiating Your Way From equality_fades.html nario (or the point at which you feel you could Confrontation to Cooperation by William WEST POINT WOMEN VOLUME 16 JANUARY 2010 PAGE 5
Experts Say “Women Want More”—Wouldn‟t you agree? WE NEED YOUR SUP- By Kate Hiebert ‗96 launched a study entitled ―The Boston Consulting PORT IN FINDING AND Group (BCG) Global Inquiry into Women and Con- A summary of Women Want More by Silverstein and REPORTING NEWS AND sumerism‖ and sent out a 120-question survey to Sayre. INFORMATION RELE- women, of which 12,000 responded. In addition, the VANT TO WEST POINT Michael Silverstein and Kate Sayre, consultants pair interviewed hundreds of women in ten countries WOMEN!! PLEASE with Boston Consulting Group and experts in the and studied 50 organizations in 13 different fields. SEND YOUR NEWS, area of consumer buying behavior, have collabo- Ultimately, Michael and Kate claim that there is a INFO AND IDEAS TO rated to research and publish a book about the ―revolution of dissatisfaction‖ in which women are us- KATE HIEBERT AT : growing trend of ―women power‖ in the market- ing their checkbooks to vote. Women account for 57% place. Their book, entitled Women Want More : [email protected] of students of higher education in the United States and How to Capture Your Share of the World’s Largest, influence 64% of all purchases in a wide variety of cate- DEADLINE FOR NEXT Fastest-Growing Market, discusses the female econ- gories. Surprisingly, the economic gains that women QUARTER’S NEWSLET- omy, the key markets that are attractive to fe- have made have not brought them the happiness and TER IS 15 MARCH. male buyers, and the trends of women world- satisfaction one might have expected. Instead, their wide. It essentially lays out information for com- lives are filled with significant stress, tension, and dis- panies so that they can develop and market their satisfaction. Very few women say they have enough THANKS FOR ALL YOUR products and services to women and educate time, money, help or love in their lives. SUPPORT! companies on how they can make their work- places better for women. Even more interesting, although the economic status of women has changed, much of the social status remains They reveal that fact number one is that women the same. Women still do most of the household want more, especially more time. They want chores and therefore, women want ―agents of lever- WPW EMAIL LIST more value and satisfaction from the products age‖—ways to find more time or to save time. They and services they buy. They want more love (of want companies that listen and respond to them. They Please submit all email additions course). want to align with companies that act as enablers, en- or changes to t h e l i s t mo d e r a Michael and Kate hypothesize that if a company hancers and protectors. If a company can court t o r, Di a n e Br a c e y, markets well to women, the results over the next women, they have the opportunity to increase their a t [email protected] . decade could be enormous. They believe that profits quickly and develop their brands. the 1 billion working women across the globe If you are interested in finding out more about this Please include your old and new will continue to gain economically and predict quiet, but powerful revolution, read the book or visit email addresses, your year, cadet that they will spend $5 trillion or more on goods company, and Cullum number. and services of all kinds. www.bcg.com/womenwantmore To support these conclusions, these consultants 30 YEARS AND ITS JUST THE BEGINNING... West Point Women have made an array of career and life choices and this section is dedicated to all of the achievements we have made and are making daily. Over the course of the year, this section will cover the Next quarter we will feature the current accomplishments of our fellow alumnae with respect to the career field or life choice that they following career fields: have made. This quarter we will focus on a glimpse of the leadership footprint of WPW in the Aviation and Engineering Career Fields: Government Brigadier General Anne F. Macdonald, 1980, former Aviation Officer and now Assistant Command- Government Contracting ing General, Afghan National Police Development, Combined Security Transition Command - Af- ghanistan, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan. She most recently served as Chief of If you are in one of these profes- Staff, United States Army Reserve Command, Fort McPherson, Georgia. sions, send me a note by 15 Mar to katehie- Colonel Deb Lewis, 1980, Commander of three US Army Corps of Engineers districts in Philadel- [email protected] and tell me phia (98-00), Seattle (03-06) and Baghdad, Iraq (06-07). Currently State Inspector General for what you are up to! Washington National Guard. Will retire June 2010 as one of the longest serving Corps of Engineers women officers (30 years).
WANT TO BE A WPW BOARD MEMBER? Contact Marene Allison at [email protected] We’d love to hear from you!
WEST POINT WOMEN PAGE 6 JANUARY 2010 QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
OUR ALMA MATER include 2 Leadership Forum f e m a l e s . Leads To D.C. ODK After in- by Caroline Taft ‗10 ducting new m e m b e r s Cadet Margaret Lough, Class of 2011, pre- sents a framed copy of the Forbes magazine This May, West Point‘s chapter each fall, the cadets of cover touting West Point as the ―Best College of Omicron Delta Kappa in America‖ to Sen. Jack Reed, Class of 1971, (ODK) National Leadership ODK meet to discuss potential service opportu- nities and leadership experiences. in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 15. Lough, Honor Society will team with th and other members of the Black & Gold Special Olympics New York to On December 4 , the organization‘s Officer -in-Charge, COL Thomas Hiebert, along with Leadership Forum, travelled to the nation‘s plan and host the 2010 Special capitol to meet with Reed and other senior Olympics New York Regional MAJ Jordon Swain and MAJ Gerald Schuck escorted the cadet members of ODK to New leaders for discussions on leadership. The Games. The Games, hosted at Black & Gold Leadership Forum, part of the the Academy each spring, bring York City for a day of leadership development. On the trip, we had the opportunity to visit Dept. of Behavioral Sciences & Leadership, together over 600 athletes and gives cadets opportunities to meet with 1,000 cadets for a day of fun and friendly competi- Credit Suisse, Standard and Poor‘s, and the New York Stock Exchange to meet with indus- prominent lead- tion. Cadet members of ODK are involved in ers from the mili- every aspect of the planning and execution of the try leaders and discuss their experiences. Last spring, ODK cadets spent the day at Goldman tary and civilian event to include reserving facilities, creating an on sector in order -line sign up for cadet volunteers, working with Sachs Pine Street offices, the company‘s leader- ship development initiative, and met with West ―to build stronger PAO and the local press to publicize the event, leaders for our and staffing the concession stands. As the Presi- Point graduates to discuss leadership opportuni- ties and experiences both in and out of the Army.‖ (Photo by dent of West Point‘s chapter of ODK, I can attest M a j . J a c o b to the countless hours the cadets put into ensuring Army. Additionally, this winter ODK hosted Toys for Tots drive on post and throughout the Miller/BS&L) the Games‘ success year after year. The Special Olympics project supports Omi- corps of cadets, with eager plans to expand the bed has ranked No. 1 in her class since her cron Delta Kappa‘s mission to recognize and pro- drive in the future. Serving as the chapter Presi- freshman year. The Fox Island, Wash., na- mote leadership and service on college campuses. dent for the past two years has been a very re- tive holds the second highest rank in the The society, founded in 1914 at Washington and warding experience and with so much potential, Corps of Cadets, which numbers 4,400, as Lee University, brings together college students, I know the society will continue to expand at the Deputy Brigade Commander. faculty, and administrators in an effort to encour- the Academy and I look forward to hearing An exceptional athlete, Betterbed has been a age the development of general campus citizen- about the exciting new projects and trips ODK starter on the pitch since her freshman ship. The opportunity to apply for membership in cadets are able to experience. year. Last year she was named a Patriot West Point‘s chapter of the society is open to all League all-star as a defender. cadets majoring in Leadership or Management and Army's (5-5-2) go-to-player as a midfielder who maintain a 3.0 this season, Betterbed is Army's scoring grade point average. leader with six points (two goals, two assists) There are currently along with a pair of game winners. 14 cadets actively In the community, Betterbed has been a Big involved in West Sister to a local elementary school student in Point‘s chapter, to nearby Highland Falls for the past three Perot Receives Thayer As For Betterbed... years. While spending her spring semester abroad studying Spanish at Monterrey Tec- Adapted from USMA Release#84-09 (6-10-09) Award nologico, Betterbed volunteered at Trompo WEST POINT, N.Y. –– Army senior mid- Magico Children's Museum in Guadalajara, fielder Elizabeth Betterbed was named one of Mexico. Cadet Elizabeth 10 finalists for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award "Liz is an excellent candidate for the Lowe's Betterbed, the in the women's soccer division today. A nation- Senior CLASS Award," commented Army Deputy Brigade wide voting process began on 13 November on head coach Stefanie Golan. "She has done Commander, www.seniorclassaward.com. extremely well with all aspects of her life at asks Ross Perot a question during a lecture in Jef- To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete West Point and will continue to do great ferson Hall on Thursday. Perot was on campus to must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior things in the future. Liz has already devel- receive the Thayer Award from the West Point and have notable achievements in four areas of oped into a tremendous leader of character, Association of Graduates. The Thayer Award, excellence - classroom, character, community and I am very much looking forward to given annually since 1958 in honor of Col. Syl- and competition. watching where her life takes her beyond vanus Thayer, ―Father of the Military Academy," Betterbed is the lone Patriot League representa- West Point." is presented to an individual who exemplifies the tive and one of two midfielders on the ballot. Although, the final results yielded another academy motto, ―Duty, Honor, Country.‖ (Photo A Mechanical Engineering major who owns a winner from Texas A&M, we are all so proud by Anthony Battista/DPTMS Visual Information) 4.235 cumulative grade point average, Better- of Liz! Way to go! WEST POINT WOMEN VOLUME 16 JANUARY 2010 PAGE 7
home the bacon while their husbands search for WPW AND POLITICS & GOVERNMENT work. Women working outside the home, however, is not a short-term blip. This is a long The Shriver Report—A Women‟s Nation Changes -term trend that shows no signs of reversing. Everything nearly every aspect of our lives—from how we Although our report is titled ―A Woman‘s Na- work to how we play to how we care for one tion Changes Everything,‖ this is not just a By Heather Boushey and Ann O’Leary another. Yet, we, as a nation, have not come to woman‘s story. This is a report about how terms with what this means. In this report, we women becoming half of workers changes eve- This report describes how a woman‘s nation break new ground by taking a hard look at how rything for men, women, and their families. changes everything about how we live and work women‘s changing roles affect our major socie- The Rockefeller/Time nationwide poll, con- today. Now for the first time in our tal institutions, from govern- ducted in early September as the chapters of the nation‘s history, women are half of ment and businesses to our faith report were being finalized, finds that the battle all U.S. workers and mothers are communities. We outline how of the sexes is over and is replaced by negotia- the primary breadwinners or co- these institutions rely on out- tions between the sexes about work, family, breadwinners in nearly two-thirds dated models of who works and household responsibilities, child care, and elder of American families. This is a dra- who cares for our families. And care. Yet, while men generally accept women matic shift from just a generation we examine how our culture has working and making more money, men and ago (in 1967 women made up only responded to one of the greatest women both express concern about kids left one-third of all workers). It social transformations of our behind. Whose job is it? Men and women agree changes how women spend their time. that government and business are out of touch days and has a ripple effect that Our findings should not be sur- with the realties of how most families live and reverberates throughout our na- prising to working men and work today. Families need more flexible work tion. It fundamentally changes how women. Today, four-in-five schedules, comprehensive child care policies, we all work and live, not just women but also families with children still at home are not the redesigned family and medical leave, and equal their families, their co-workers, their bosses, traditional male breadwinner, female home- pay. The aim of this report is to take this con- their faith institutions, and their communities. maker. And women are increasingly becoming versation up to the national level, to engage Quite simply, women as half of all workers their family‘s breadwinner or co-breadwinner men and women in thinking about what this changes everything. (see Figures 1 and 2). The deep economic new reality means for our vision of ourselves, Recognizing the importance of women‘s earn- downturn is amplifying and accelerating this our families, our communities, and the govern- ings to family well-being is the key piece to trend. Men have lost three-out-of-four jobs so ment, social, and religious institutions around understanding why we are in a transformational far since the Great Recession began in Decem- us. To read more, go to: moment. This social transformation is affecting ber 2007, leaving millions of wives to bring http://www.americanprogress.org/ issues/2009/10/pdf/awn/ Where are WPW Congresswomen? executive_summary.pdf By Kate Hiebert ‗96 local and state laws for running and engage and become involved with your local and state con- President Addresses There are no WPW Congresswomen, but I am stituency. Here are some books that outline the sure that becoming one is or will be an ambition Nation From West Point dos and don‘ts of campaigning for office and for a small segment of our population. President Obama waves to the U.S. Military provide insights of the political game: Academy‘s Corps of Cadets following his tele- Growing up, my family was thoroughly in- vised address from Eisenhower Hall Theater on volved in local and state politics. My grandfa- The Campaign Manager: Running and Winning Local Elections by Catherine Shaw Tuesday. The 35-minute speech outlined his ther was mayor of Hempstead on Long Island strategy on Afghanistan, which includes an in- and my father has been involved in fundraising The Political Campaign Desk Reference by crease of 30,000 troops, to the nation and an for the Republican Party within New York for Michael McNamara audience of about 4,200 cadets and guests. Fol- the last 20 years. In fact, in high school, I re- lowing the speech, the President took time to member volunteering to ―get the word out‖ by Campaign Boot Camp: Basic Training for Fu- shake hands and pose for photos with many of going door to door and stuffing envelopes for ture Leaders by Christine Pelosi the cadets. (Photo by Tommy Gilligan/Pointer several congressional campaigns. Those experi- View) ences were extraordinarily enlightening and How to Run For Local Office: A Complete exhilarating. Guide For Winning A Local Election by Robert J. Thomas Campaigning is hard work and being an elected official is a truly exhausting and demanding job, Notes from the Cracked Ceiling: Hillary Clin- but one with great reward. In an effort to pro- ton, Sarah Palin, and What It Will Take For a vide you information to successfully run for Woman To Win by Anne E. Kornblut office one day, I spent the last several months I found each of these books informative and I collecting information for you. especially found the Kornblut book insightful, Aside from doing a gut check on the possibility but nothing beats rolling up your sleeves and of being an elected official, you must know your getting involved before you decide to run! WEST POINT WOMEN PAGE 8 JANUARY 2010 QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
stones (e.g., she stopped sucking her thumb) mother, or after "MOM" became a bad WPW AND FAMILY that I missed, yet, the mission was progressing three letter word. It was the cumulative and helping the Iraqi's to eliminate terrorist safe effect of knowing what I missed previously The Effect is Cumulative havens served as key motivation to support this and selfishly did not want to miss any- By Crissy Gayagas ‗84 mission. Thinking about the positive long term more. impact that a successful mission could have on On September 27, 2009, there was an article in the our future helped make the separation accept- For me, the decision to retire after re- NY Times, entitled ―WOMEN AT ARMS: Wartime able. deploying was right. I was extremely for- Soldier, Conflicted Mom‖ by Lizette Alvarez that tunate to have the ability to retire with no outlined the effects of deployments on mothers (re: After I returned from OIF the first time, I had pending obligation. I knew the one thing http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/27/ to leave in another week to go to Germany to the Army could never give me was us/27mothers.html?_r=1. I think one of the ways to help train V Corps...even before we took our 'time'. I would never have the opportunity best describe the impact of deployments on parent- block leave. This was the only time my daugh- to take her to school and pick her up on a ing is 'the effect is cumulative'. I spent many weeks ter really 'threw down' and told me that she let daily basis, go to her cheerleading prac- away from our daughter while at Ft. Campbell con- the Army have me for over a year, why couldn't tices, etc. I felt fulfilled with a successful ducting NTC rotations at Ft. Irwin, CA or training in someone else go do this training? After much Army career and had the opportunity to the field, yet it was always reassuring to me to know discussion and incentivizing her with our up- serve as a full time parent. As a retired that Madison (two to four years at that time) was coming block leave to Hawaii, she re- officer, Madison and I have an even closer well taken care of by a live-in nanny, Grandparents lented. However, I realized that the next de- relationship. I thoroughly appreciate and who came to help the nanny, and trips that Madi ployment, unknown to her at the time, was enjoy parenting, volunteering on the PTG took to Hawaii while being escorted by our going to be much tougher for all of us. board, as a homeroom Mom, and as the nanny. It is no wonder that my old boss, COL Radin State Coordinator for West Point Admis- (now MG Radin) always joked that he wanted to be Although I could have requested an exception sions. It has also been rewarding to have our nanny so he could get a free trip to Hawaii! not to deploy again, it would not have been the my own company and start a second one right thing to do and would set a bad exam- that allows me to parent and explore a new world of consulting in construction, health During my year at the War College, I enjoyed every ple. My husband made a tough decision to turn care management, and energy ar- minute with Madison and not having to depart for down the War College and subsequently a pro- eas. However, I do not think this would extended periods of time. However, my husband motion to COL, and retired before I deployed a be possible without my career and experi- was still assigned at Ft. Campbell and then the Army second time to Iraq. This made my deployment ences in the Army. graciously moved him to the Pentagon for eight and separation better knowing that Doug would months knowing that he was taking command and be home full time with our daughter. It cer- deploying to Iraq with his Battalion. At that time, tainly helped my daughter cope with my being I felt fortunate to find a balance in my we were able to be together as a family on week- gone again for an extended period. Because my daughter's development and supporting a ends. Upon my PCS to Ft. Hood, my husband was husband made this sacrifice for the family, I worthy mission. I also felt blessed to be already deployed and we immediately discovered knew that it would likely be time for me to able to influence my retirement decision that I would deploy with III Corps. Again, we knew retire after the second deployment. The second before an imbalance occurred in our fam- we had a solid plan in place and that both my hus- deployment was again, challenging yet reward- ily. Army officers who start families band and I would be deployed at the same time for a ing and a successful surge was encourag- younger will have a different experience period of time. ing. Constant contact helped us stay close and and each situation is unique. The level of up to date on developments. However, I knew assistance that an extended family or that I was missing seeing much more of my friends can provide will also have an im- Fortunately, my husband was able to be home with daughter growing up. I did not want to retire pact on the parents and children. Ulti- our daughter for the latter part of my first deploy- in a few more years and then realize that Madi- mately, parenting while serving in the ment. However, it was a strain as he was single son was in high school, probably want to spend military is a decision that each person parenting as a battalion commander. It was a mental more time with her friends than with her should make individually. sacrifice to know that there were significant mile- band would complete his studies in Indus- were. I was returning to a program I be- WPW AND EDUCATION trial Engineering at NC State. No bust – gan as a Master‘s student so Chapel Hill we can do this. We just finished two was the likely choice. Coming from XO Three kids under 8, Three years that culminated with my serving as the and S3 jobs also made the transition easier years and Two PhDs... XO for Maintenance Battalion and him serving as we worked to make our school day as as the S3 for a Combat Engineer Battalion. much like a work day as possible. We By Donna Brazil ‗83 How hard could this be?? As it turned out – continued to do PT, get the older kids off pretty hard, but we did manage and our kids to school, meet the nanny and then go to ―Sure we can do it‖—That is what we said to our- now laugh at the things that we thought were so ―work‖ ourselves. Often, I would be the selves as we packed up the kids and made our way stressful. only one at school if we didn‘t have class across the country from FT Riley Kansas to Chapel So how did we pull it off? We decided up front that morning, but I could get so much Hill, North Carolina. I was scheduled to complete a done in those few hours before class began. degree in Social Psychology at UNC while my hus- to live very close to one of our universities so that one of us could be close to where the kids Maintaining a normal work schedule rather than one based on our class schedules was WEST POINT WOMEN VOLUME 16 JANUARY 2010 PAGE 9
the key to our survival. Some of the many ways to continue education active duty service obligation (ADSO) by through the Army: three years in exchange for the promise of The schedule, along with a healthy sense of humor fully funded graduate school. These offi- and a great deal of understanding went a long way A by name-assignment to USMA as an in- cers usually begin grad school in their 8th during those three years. There is a saying that structor – usually a 5 year commitment, 2 at year of service and while they incur a 6 misery loves company – I have learned that is not grad school and 3 at USMA. Apply directly to year ADSO for school, they do not have a entirely true. In fact, misery only loves miserable the Department that you are interested in. utilization tour attached. These officers company – so as insane as undertaking two PhDs Officers usually begin graduate school in their can return straight to troops after school. at the same time might seem, it was wonderful to th 7-8 year of service. For more information see http://career- have a spouse who understood exactly how I felt The Eisenhower Leader Development Pro- satisfaction.usma.edu/gradso_2.html when I was convinced that I would never finish. gram. A 13 month masters degree in Social- For months while I wrote my dissertation, Tim The Post 9-11 GI bill. At the conclusion Organizational Psychology from Columbia of their initial tour of service (5 years for would leave the house on Saturday morning with University Teacher‘s College followed by a all three kids and return with dinner many hours USMA grads) a soldier is authorized 36 three year utilization as a Tactical Officer at months of GI Bill benefits. After complet- later. Two days after I defended, the kids and I USMA. Apply to the Brigade Tactical De- left the house early on Saturday morning while he ing 10 years of service, the soldier may partment, USMA. Officers usually begin transfer the benefits (or part of it) to a stayed home to write and write. While the chal- th graduate school in their 7-10 year of ser- spouse or child. There are rules about lenges of a dual military couple (or a dual anything vice. couple) are significant, one of the blessings we how long the spouse and children have to Graduate School for service option have received over the years has been our under- use the benefits and they can be found at (GRADSO). Before commissioning, USMA standing of what the other was doing and going www.gibill.va.gov and ROTC grads can now elect to extend through. For us, Grad School was no exception. their Congratulations to CDTs Alexandra Rosenberg and Elizabeth Better- WPW AND NETWORKING bed on their selection as Rhodes Scholars! We are so proud of you!
She Who Has Borne the Battle tle,'" addressing the unique service and range of issues, including: sexual assault, Iraq and Afghanistan‘s Veterans of America‘s homecoming challenges facing female troops harassment and Military Sexual trauma; (IAVA) "Week of the Women Warrior" delves and veterans. The report is the cornerstone of higher divorce rates for female servicemem- into issues impacting female troops, veterans IAVA's first annual "Week of the Women War- bers; barriers to VA health care; and home- Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America released rior," a multi-faceted effort to honor the cour- lessness among female veterans. For more Wednesday its latest issue report, "Women War- age and sacrifice of female servicemembers. information, go to: http://iava.org/ riors: Supporting She 'Who Has Borne the Bat- IAVA's newly released report explores a wide WPW Geographic Networking Coordinators
Name Network City State Email Address Contact Info Office1: 480.446.0056 xt 118 YOU CAN Lara H. York - 83 Phoenix Arizona [email protected] Office2: 480.446.8000 Liane (Geary) Dare - 96 Tampa Florida [email protected] ALWAYS Hope Donnely - 86 Tampa Florida [email protected] Mobile: 813.466.9091 Bridget Altenburg - 95 Chicago Illinois [email protected] Mobile: 312.371.1845 FIND US Office: 702.953.1237 ON: Melanie S. B. Barber - 02 Las Vegas Nevada [email protected] Mobile: 702.481.4429 Office: 914.214.1327 westpointwomen.org Kate Hiebert - 96 New York New York [email protected] Mobile: 704.578.1729 Holly (Hughes) Flores - 96 Ft. Carson Colorado [email protected] Liane (Geary) Dare - 96 Tampa Florida [email protected] Niave Knell - 92 Atlanta Georgia [email protected] Phone: 253.753.7548 [email protected] Mia Clements Louisvillle Kentucky [email protected] Phone: 502.580.4449 Roxanne (Theobald) Bernstein - 96 New York New York [email protected] Home: 845.534.5520 Debbie Edelen - 92 West Point New York [email protected] Mobile: 845.774.6700 Heather Ousley - 96 Columbus Ohio [email protected] Mobile: 419.989.0927 Molly (Cain) Capra - 96 Ft. Hood Texas [email protected] Office: +44 207 961 7134 Kelli Ann McKechnie - 96 London UK [email protected] Mobile: +44 782 5029 363 Lisa Harmon - 96 New England area Vermont [email protected] Mobile: 703.629.1419 Vicky Fiore - 87 DC/MD/VA area Virginia [email protected] Home: 703.543.4372
Hampton Roads/ Mobile: 757.846.7531 Christine Andrews - 96 Richmond/Williamsburg Virginia [email protected] Home: 757.874.2129 WEST POINT WOMEN PAGE 10 JANUARY 2010 QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
WPW AND NETWORKING (CONT) AOG Results Board of DirectorsAdvisors at The results are in! At the Annual Meet- Large WPW BOARD OF DIRECTORS ing of the West Point Association of Larry R. Jordan ‘68 – 2043 votesJay T. Graduates held on Wednesday, 21 Oc- Edwards ‘54 – 1986 votes Founder: Niave Knell ‘92 Members At Large: tober 2009, the following members Robert D. Weiss ‘71 – 2048 votesJef- Georgette were elected to positions on the Board frey A. Sorenson ‘73 – 2020 votes Wilson ‘81 Frank B. Janoski ‘74 – 2032 votesWil- President: Marene Allison ‘80 Marcia Ganoe ‘84 of Directors and Advisory Council, and liam J. Seymour ‘76 – 2005 votes Lisa Steptoe ‘87 will serve their terms beginning 1 Janu- Vice President: Vicky Fiore ‗87 Cynthia Lindenmeyer ‘90 ary 2010. Rebecca S. Halstead ‘81 – 2047 votes- Deirdre P. Dixon ‘84 – 2016 votes Rebecca Patterson ‘96 Chairman-Jodie K. Glore ‘69 – 2115 Editor: Kate Hiebert ‘96 Maureen Short ‘98 votes James Z. Wartski ‘82 – 2053 votes- Karen Fair ‗85 Vice Chairman-Herman E. Bulls ‘78 – James S. Breen ‘96 – 2002 votes List Admin: Diane Bracey ‘80 2076 votes Cindy M. Doane ‘92 – 1991 votes (Chairman, Vice Chairman to serve (Directors and Advisors to serve until until 31 December 2011.) 31 December 2012.)
Knights Out—What We‟re down trust, and erodes the bonds that make mili- Velvetpark tary units strong. I debated ―Don‘t Ask, Don‘t Tell‖ with About 3. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is dishonor- MG (ret.) Overholt at Penn State‘s Dick- BY Sue Fulton ‗80 able. Integrity and honor are, and should be, inson School of Law; I‘ve also done a num- central to our military code. The "Don't Ask, ber of radio interviews, including the Bill ―Are you sitting down?‖ asked Becky Kanis ‘91, Don't Tell" policy forces soldiers to choose be- Press Show, In the LV, and my favorite, when I answered the phone. ―Rachel Maddow tween their honor and their military duty. Shoot from the Lip with Scott Dick, a for- wants to interview Dan!‖ By telling our personal stories and educating peo- mer Army officer The initial Knights Out press release, announcing ple about the impact of the policy, we have been the formation of an organization of lesbian, gay, able to raise awareness and instigate change. And Advocating against ―Don‘t Ask, Don‘t Tell bisexual, and transgender West Point grads and Dan Choi is not the only spokesperson. Many of is not Knights Out‘s only mission. We are their allies, had gone out two days earlier, on our Out members and straight allies have been also committed to ―prepare West Point March 16. In the press release, 1LT Dan Choi featured in interviews and at public events. For and fellow alumni for the day when GLBT ‘03, an Iraq vet and Arabic speaker, had come out example: personnel can serve openly.‖ To this end, as gay despite still being active in the New York Bridget Altenburg ‗95 was interviewed by the our members have been supportive of National Guard. McCormick Freedom Project educational efforts at West Point, speaking Becky had agreed to chair the Knights Out Board Donna McAleer ‘87 co-authored a blog post with to prospective Tac Officers, faculty, and after serving on the board of SAGALA (Service Dan Choi for the Daily Beast, addressing the issue on rare occasion, selected cadet classes. Academies Gay and Lesbian Association). Other of women in combat roles as well as gays in the Certainly one of the ―highs‖ for the Knights board members included Margaret Wilson ‗89, military Out organization was our involvement in Sarah Haag ‘03, and me, as well as Dan Choi, Dan Becky Kanis ‘91 posted at the Palm Center blog . the National Equality March. LT Dan Manning ‗05, and Scott Melendez ex-‘92. Becky and I were quoted in short segments on Choi was a co-chair of the march, and USNA Out and Blue Alliance, GLBT organizations NPR‘s The Takeaway Knights Out was the sponsoring organiza- for the Naval and Air Force Academies, formed Lissa Young ‘86 gave a great interview on auto- tion for a moving ceremony at Arlington long before Knights Out; but Dan Choi and The straddle.com that was picked up by many blog- National Cemetery, where Andrea Hollen Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC kicked off un- gers. Lissa was joined by Sarah Haag ‗03 to speak ‘80 and Anthony Woods ‘03 joined Dan in precedented media coverage. Dan‘s remarkable at Rhode Island‘s Gay-Straight Alliance Youth laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Un- resume and personal presence contributed to that; Conference known. That same evening, a contingent but importantly, Knights Out has been able to re- Marjorie Rudinsky ‘84 was a featured speaker at of our members attended the Human frame the ―Don‘t Ask, Don‘t Tell‖ debate as an NC PrideFest in Durham, NC Rights Campaign‘s Annual Dinner, where issue of national security as well as equal treat- Andrea Allen Baker ‗84 is on the Veterans Day President Obama made the ringing decla- ment. edition of the radio show ―Confronting the Issues‖ ration ―I will end ‗Don‘t Ask, Don‘t Knights Out opposes ―Don‘t Ask, Don‘t Tell‖ with her husband Brian, who also spoke at a Los Tell.‘‖ because we believe that it hurts the Army: Angeles press screening of ―In Their Boots‖ about Knights Out believes that Congress must 1. Expelling gay and lesbian sol- gay partners of servicemembers act to change the law that established the diers compromises military readi- Allyson Robinson ‘94 gave a thought-provoking policy. Senate hearings were planned for ness. These are soldiers we need to win our interview on jaysays.com November, but postponed to address the wars. Sandi Hassett ‗89 and Deneil Logiudice ex-‗92 proposed Afghanistan surge as well as the 2. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" compromises were featured in a Veteran‘s Day article on the Fort Hood shootings. We expect a vote for unit cohesion. Forcing soldiers to lie about website 10,000 Couples repeal in 2010. To learn more, or to sup- who they are, and who their families are, tears Andrea Hollen ‘80 and I were interviewed on port Knights Out as an ally or member, check out www.knightsout.org. WEST POINT WOMEN VOLUME 16 JANUARY 2010 PAGE 11
ing; it's about making a bold case for what you Women In International without publishing experience. believe in and making a difference in the world. The OpEd Project‘s highly interactive and ener- Security (WIIS) Write to getic day-long seminar will push you to hone Change the World Why this matters: Our position is not that the ideas and causes that you care about, and women need our help, but just the opposite: write about them to make a difference. We will we think public debate needs women. Our Women In International Security-New York in explore the source of credibility and how to national conversation currently reproduces the partnership with The OpEd Project presents a establish it quickly; the patterns and elements of voices and opinions of only a small fraction of full-day op-ed writing seminar, "Write to a powerful argument; the difference between society: mostly white, privileged and over- Change the World." being ―right‖ and being effective; how to preach whelmingly (85%) male. Worse among aca- Date: January 9, 2010 beyond the choir, how to think bigger about demics: a 2008 Rutgers University study found Time: 10am to 5pm what we know, and how to make a bigger im- that 97% of op-eds by scholars in the Wall Cost: Members: $150; Non-members: $300 pact on the world. Street Journal are written by men. What is the To register, please send your name and full cost to society when half of the nation‘s best payment in cash or checks made payable to minds and best ideas— women‘s minds and Women In International Security to: women‘s ideas—are missing? CHECK IT OUT 3600 N Street, NW, Lower Level | Washing- The nation‘s key opinion forums feed all other ton, DC 20007 Paul Broadwell ‗95 recently wrote an OP media and drive thought leadership in America. If you have not yet joined WIIS, you may do so -ED piece in the New York Times enti- The op-ed pages and commentary forums of online at: http://wiis.georgetown.edu/ tled ―WOMEN AT WAR‖ Find it at: major media outlets—whether print, online, membership/ or broadcast—are followed by diplomats, busi- http:// For information on sponsoring WIIS members ness-people, scholars, and those in the highest www.nytimes.com/2009/10/21/ or subsidizing the cost of workshop attendance, levels of government. They can sway public opinion/21iht-edbroadwell.html?_r=1 please contact Christina Madden at clmad- opinion and change the world. And these [email protected] or 917-651-4439. forums are open to all of us—including those The Op-ED seminar is about more than writ-
In many occasions, the fact that the players are finishing in the elite eight. This upcoming spring WPW AND SPORTS inexperienced bonds the team together. Dur- they hope to advance further and win the team‘s Women‟s Rugby—Hopes ing a player‘s first year on the team, they are first national title. introduced to the general of a National Title in „10 rules and are focused on By Sylvia Thomas ‗11 gaining as much experi- ence as possible. The Rugby is a sport played by 15 players from each older players do their team on a field (called a pitch) a little larger best to integrate the new than a football field. The object of the game is players to build cohesion. similar to football, run an oval shaped ball into the opponent‘s goal line. However, a major Becoming a rugby player difference is that it is a full contact sport with- on the Women‘s Rugby out pads. Rugby is not well known in our coun- team is more than just try, but its popularity is growing rapidly due to learning a new sport. Rugby demands from Volleyball Historic Season its intense contact and its popularity world- each player tremendous amount of dedication From volleyball updates on goarmysports.com wide. and sacrifice. All of the players are constantly The Army volleyball team's historic 2009 season striving to dedicate every opportunity to prac- came to an end on 4 Dec as the University of The West Point‘s Women Rugby Team started tice even during West Point‘s cold winter Pennsylvania collected a 3-1 victory over the in the fall of 2002, however it was not until the days. Furthermore as cadets, the players are Black Knights on the campus of host and No. 1 following spring when the team became official constantly aware of the value of time. Under overall seed Penn State. Freshman RS Francine and had its first full season. Since then the team such circumstances, they sacrifice almost every Vasquez ‘13 hit .346 on the night with a team- has progressed in many ways, but their primary weekend to compete while balancing academ- high 16 kills to lead the Black Knights' attack. strength lies with the founding values – unity ics and military responsibilities. As a team, the Making its first NCAA Division I Tournament and dedication. everyday challenges are overcome with sup- appearance, Army played port from each other. well out of the gate, taking Most of the players have never played or even the first set by a 25-18 score. heard of rugby before coming to USMA. A Today the West Point Women‘s Rugby Team The Black Knights hit .282 common quality amongst all of the players is is working hard in anticipation for the spring with 12 kills and just one their love for competition, physical contact, and season. They finished first place in the North- error in the opener before teamwork. Almost everyone starts on the same east Division this past fall. In mid-April, they Penn rallied to win the next level at rugby coming from various sports such will play in the sweet sixteen national tourna- three to steal the match. The as soccer, basketball, and track to name a few. ment which will be held in Santa Barbara, CA . Black Knights ended the sea- Last year they ended their season short by son with a 26-6 mark. WEST POINT WOMEN PAGE 12 JANUARY 2010 QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
season ago on her way to be- ATHENA‟s WATCH WPW AND SPORTS (CONT) ing named Patriot League Female Diver of the Year. By Michael Solovey Adao Garners Third-Straight Diver Of I wanted to share this final concept The Week Honor sketch with you before it is officially released on my site - WEST POINT, N.Y. - Army in the 3-meter dive competition, com- www.soloveyart.com. "Athena's senior Lindsey Adao ‗10 won her piling a winning score of 224.55. She Watch" is the new all female mili- third-straight Patriot League Fe- also added a second-place effort in the tary print. The only one of its kind male Diver of the Week award on 1-meter events, compiling a score of that I have seen on the market. I will Tuesday. The New City, N.Y. 214.57. release it within the next month for native was honored for her per- $75 each. The print size will be formance on Saturday in the Black The reigning Patriot League Champion roughly 14" x 16" and done in pen- Knights' meet with visiting Massa- on both 1-meter and 3-meter, Adao cil. There will only be 321 person- chusetts. has won the weekly honor from the ally signed and numbered. Please let conference 11 times over the last three me know if you may be interested in Adao was the day's top performer years, including on six occasions a one before they are all gone. WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE WPW? www.soloveyart.com/easel.htm Want To Take A Trip? Denise Dawson ‗80 has some group trips lined up, so if anyone is in- terested in participating, check out the links below:
Aspen trip in Feb http://othgi.com/skitrips.shtml#aspen Join us for a return to Aspen in peak season for this very popular trip in the heart of town does it get any better than this?
Mini Easy Adventure in Colorado's Wine Country in May (hike bike raft & wine tasting) http://othgi.com/summertrips.shtml#mini Hey Ladies, where have you been that few have gone before? If you have gone on a trip, send us some pictures DID YOU KNOW? and tell us all about it!!! Interview With Donna McAleer „87, Author of Porcelain On Steel: Women Of West Point’s Long Gray Line For more than 200 years, West Point has produced maybe they would consider pursuing paths to about the admission of women into West soldiers and leaders who have served our nation in which they had not previously been exposed. Point in 1976, and is the basis of Lance and out of uniform. Women have been part of that Americans, and my volleyball athletes, are Janda‘s dissertation for his doctor of phi- line for the last 30 years and today they continue to bombarded with images of women marketing losophy degree. There are however thou- meet challenges and overcome obstacles in a variety everything from beer to cars. Young women sands of books about West Point, its male of ways and roles. Porcelain on Steel is an insider's searching for role models may have difficulty graduates, and leadership lessons. tour of one of America's most storied institutions seeing past this ―sex sells‖ mentality that ties a This is a book about the women who and what it takes to succeed in the high-pressure, woman‘s worth to her looks. My goal is to pro- choose the education, service and commit- high-performance, high-testosterone leadership lab vide an alternate perspective to the message that ment West Point offers. that produces leaders for the Army and for the na- ―sex sells‖ which is prevalent in our society Porcelain on Steel celebrates women who tion. today. I want to provide a handful of desper- serve and are doing extraordinary things at ately needed role models to young women. I home and aboard. They are unsung heroes Kate Hiebert (KH): Donna, what prompted you to write also wish to diversify the plethora of books who rarely seek the spot light. We don‘t Porcelain on Steel? written about West Point and its graduates by hear their stories and we don‘t know their Donna McAleer (DM): Porcelain on Steel: Women of West including one that focuses on the Academy‘s names. POS is an attempt to share their Point's Long Gray Line was borne out of my experience women graduates. stories and shout their names. This is a as a high school volleyball coach in 2004. Concerned To date, only five books have been published book for people regardless of their politics with whom some of my athletes admired and consid- solely about West Point women. Four are indi- or views on the military. ered role models, I began thinking about some of the vidual stories—memoirs per se each focusing women with whom I went to school and served on an individual experience and perspec- KH: Could you briefly tell us what it takes along side in the Army. These women are role mod- tive. Three are non-fiction and the other is to publish a book? els, and if my team learned about some of them fiction. The fourth book, academic in nature, is A lot of persistence, resilience, patience
WEST POINT WOMEN PAGE 13 JANUARY 2010 QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER and a very supportive community, a good literary agent, and of course HONORED ROLE a quality product. No book is ever written alone by the author, especially one of this by Donna McAleer ‗87 nature. Such an endeavor comes to fruition because the countless "Honored Role" a new series on my Porcelain on Steel blog. This weekly friends, family members and professionals who believed in the idea, series features West Point women graduates and veterans, and introduces and provided and gave freely (literally) endless amounts of support, a group of role models who are ordinary women, not celebrities, who encouragement, advice and a few swift kicks in the butt. have extraordinary stories to share of their journeys of perseverance and The publishing odyssey continues. It seems that one has to be a well- integrity. While the women portrayed in the Porcelain on Steel blog and known author, a scum-bag politician engaged in an extra marital affair, in the book Porcelain on Steel: Women of West Point‘s Long Gray Line or a has-been actress involved in a 17 year incestuous relationship with share a common education and developmental experience at West Point one's father to get a major trade publisher to print your work. and as Army officers, they have chosen varied paths in and out of the About a year ago John Grisham told me to get ready for rejection, as Army. the first 15 agents said no to him as well as the first 16 publish- ers. Unfortunately, I have now surpassed his high water mark of rejections. This publishing process is worse than trying to find a date Did You know that Kathy Silvia ‘80 is Assistant Director for for the high school prom or applying to college. Grisham now has 30 Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, CO? Fort Logan is a best sellers to his name. place for Veterans and commemorates and honors their service. That said, Michele Rubin, my literary agent from Writers House con- (see www.cem.va.gov) tinues to present the manuscript and proposal to editors at all the ma- jor trade houses. She is thoroughly supportive and very much loves the multiplicity of voices and diverse experiences. Although individ- POCS FOR NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION ual editors have "loved it", trying to get the full in-house support mail needed to get it through an editorial board is a challenge. As we all Class Point of Contact Email address: have experienced, doing things by committee often derails the best 1980 Marene Allison [email protected] projects. That said, while patience is not my strength, perseverance 1981 Ann Stroud [email protected] is. 1982 Tarry Hilliard [email protected] 1983 Joanne Cavanaugh [email protected] KH: In writing this book, what have you learned along the way? 1984 Brigitte Wahwassuck Kwinn [email protected] DM: The importance of networking and the use of social media. You 1985 Valerie Coffey [email protected] never know whom someone else knows. 1986 Hope Donnelly [email protected] 1987 Donna McAleer [email protected] KH: For those West Point Women interested in writing a book some- 1988 NEED A VOLUNTEER day, what advice do you have for them? 1989 Betsy Jackson [email protected] DM: Start now. Keep a journal. Set time to write each day—log out 1990 Jennifer Buckner [email protected] of email, disconnect the phone, close the door and write. The muse 1991 Micki Olson [email protected] needs to be fed. She wants commitment, focus and dedication. She 1992 Niave Knell [email protected] wants our full attention. She is a very jealous goddess who does not 1993 Laura Lee [email protected] permit other suitors. 1994 Laura Law [email protected] Discuss your ideas and concepts with others—they will help improve 1995 Bridget Altenburg [email protected] and focus them. Start building your platform as you begin writ- 1996 Kate Hiebert [email protected] ing. Publishers do not want to create a marketing wave for a new 1997 Giselle Calame [email protected] author, they prefer riding a wave. Social media and networking tools 1998 Liz Mahoney [email protected] facilitate this—twitter, face book, blogs. Work on writing and pub- 1999 Khanh Diep [email protected] lishing articles on your subject. 2000 Kathleen Owings [email protected] In October I started taking my own advice. I launched 2001 Carlys Lemler [email protected] "Honored Role" a series on the Porcelain on 2002 Andrea So [email protected] Steel blog. This weekly series features 2003 Christina Gassman [email protected] West Point women graduates and veterans Do you have a 2004 Alice Garcia [email protected] and introduces a group of role models who story to tell or 2005 Yolanda Raphael. [email protected] are ordinary women, not celebrities, who info to pass on? 2007 Vanessa Forbes [email protected] have extraordinary stories to share of their Send them to 2008 NEEDAbbey A CarterVOLUNTEER [email protected] journeys of perseverance and integrity. katehie- For more info: http:// [email protected] 2009 NEED A VOLUNTEER www.porcelainonsteel.com/