Wisconsin National Guard Diversity, Equal Opportunity, & Sexual Assault Prevention & Response
Nov 2020 Diversity & Inclusion Hello, Everyone. Across the Department of Military Affairs, we are all taking protective measures for personal safekeeping and the force. Lives and routines have been uprooted, and we want guidance and reassurance of belonging. We know that this starts with increasing awareness of community ties. Partnering with others who share our social values reinforces what we stand for, broadening our impact, showcasing our commitment to eliminating the barriers to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive organization. November 2020 is the final select observance month in the 75th Anniversary Commemoration of the end of World War II. It is an honor to recognize National American Indian Heritage Month and highlight the First Nation's people's contributions during that watershed event. We are excited to partner with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and welcome David O'Connor, educator and exemplar. He brings an exciting presentation to help us know our neighbors and increase our understanding of the First Nation's people's communities here in Wisconsin. Watch for full details on the event scheduled for the morning of Nov. 16, including virtual event details and how you can join the watch party on the drill floor at Joint Force Headquarters. Mary G. Ross, first Native American women & female Do you have a question or want to know more? engineer in Lockhead history.
Service Member Support proudly staffs the Office of Diversity & Inclusion. Book Corner Contact Us: American Indian Heritage Month There, There by Tommy Orange Via Email: [email protected] Moon of the Crusted Snow by Commercial Telephone: 608-242-3748 Waubgeshig Rice Connect with us on the web at www.wisconsinmilitary.org Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Org box: [email protected] Talaga 24/7 Family Assistance: 1-800-292-9464, option 1 The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline A Day with Yayah by Nicole Kathrine A. Berberich, WI ARNG Campbell Diversity & Inclusion, SMSD | J9 Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard Chester Nez and the Unbreakable Code: A Navajo Code The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie Welcome Emotional Monthly Resources SARC, D&I Intelligence Observance
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Diversity, EO, & SAPR Newsletter Nov 2020 Welcome
Please help us welcome the new SARC for the 115th Fighter Wing Ms. Kelly Donner! I grew up in Southwest Wisconsin loving the Packers and snowmobiling. I received my Master of Social Work degree with a concentration in mental health and a sub-concentration in military social work from the University of Southern California. As the spouse of an Active Duty Navy Chief (Aviation Structural Mechanic), I have had the privilege of working first hand with our Sailors, as well as Blue and Gold Star Families, as the Helicopter Combat Squadron-6 Command Ombudsman, Naval Recruiting District Philadelphia Family Readiness Group Representative, and as a Naval Base Coronado Fleet and Family Support Center employee (Exceptional Family Member Liaison & Navy Gold Star Coordinator). Most recently, I was a YWCA victim advocate for survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence within the District Court of Maryland-Anne Arundel County. Our last tour consisted of several life changes as we welcomed our two sons and decided to retire to Wisconsin after 21+ plus years in the Navy.
Please help us welcome the new Diversity & Inclusion for the WING Ms. Kathrine (Katie) Berberich!
Katie partners with Stacie Meier and Tom Sandine from the State Human Resources office to advance and implement Maj. Gen. Knapp’s mission to create and sustain an organizational culture that values equity, diversity & inclusion.
Katie’s M-day positon is the 32d IBCT public affairs officer. In her spare time she is a personal fitness trainer specializing in performance enhancement, certified nutrition coach and competitive body builder. Listen to this important diversity Equal Opportunity message from NGB. h ps://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=search&v=21 NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH 86148158195395&external_log_id=d614256a-434b- 42b1-b6f0- Native American Indians and Alaska Natives have served in the US daf8be02bae8&q=chief%20of%20the%20na onal%20 military throughout history, going back all the way to even the guard%20bureau Revolutionary War. During the Civil War, American Indians were first recruited by the Confederacy, which in 1861 raised four regiments from among the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole in the Indian Territory (Oklahoma) into Kansas. The most famous Confederate Indian, Col. Stand Watie, led his Cherokee Mounted Rifles in capturing Union army artillery batteries in the Battle of Pea Ridge,… Continued on 3 2 ;
Diversity, EO, & SAPR Newsletter Nov 2020
Equal Opportunity Continued
… Arkansas in 1862. The most famous American Indian to serve in the war was the Seneca Ely S. Parker, who rose to the rank of general and served as secretary to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant. In World War I, volunteer service was rewarded with U.S. citizenship. The service of these Native American Indians contributed to the decision of Congress in 1924 to grant U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans. Although no firm figures exist, estimates are that between 10,000 and 15,000 Native Americans served in the Korean War and more than 42,000 served in the Vietnam War. In World War II 44,000 from the total Native American population of 350,000 saw active duty. Over 6,000 Alaska Natives served in the Alaska Territorial Guard. In addition to the Navajo code talkers transmitting sensitive messages, there were also Alaskan Tlingit code talkers during WWII. Harvey Jacobs and Mark Jacobs Jr. pictured to the left were two of the many Alaskan Tlingit code talkers. Estimates from the Veterans Administration and the Census Bureau suggest that in the 1990s there were 160,000 living Indian veterans. This represented nearly 10 percent of all living American Indians—a proportion triple that of the non‐Indian population—and confirms once again that Native Americans play an important role in the U.S. military. National Guard Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Hotline Alicia N. Bitner, MSgt, WI ANG 703-607-5462 or 1-800-371-0617 EO Professional, 128th ARW Sexual Assault Prevention & Response
Listen to the TAG FIND PEACE IN TRADITION monthly message & Commander Highlights The young airman swiped a tissue over her eyes one last time, pulling herself together with a deep, resigned breath. “I told my grandmother I would call her later. She’s going to tell me to check the WING GKO Page: beads on my dreamcatcher.” She laughed quietly, self-consciously. “It’s her way of reminding me https://gko.portal.ng.mil/state that when the going gets tough, find peace in tradition.” I must have had the question on my face, s/WI/SitePages/Home.aspx because she continued. “We are Ojibwe, and my grandmother made the dreamcatcher herself, hung it above my crib when I was a baby. No matter where I live, or how old I am, she insists that Follow WING on it be right above my bed.” Facebook: @wisconsinguard She stood to go, picking up her hat and nervously knocking non-existent creases out of it. With a Twitter: @wi_guard small smile and shake of her head, she sighed. “She’s probably right, you know? Thanks again for seeing me, ma’am. I’ll think about what you said.” She left my office, closing the door softly behind her. As the SARC, the service personnel who come to my office are often at their lowest. Their experience has rattled them to the core. The days, weeks and months that follow, test their courage and their resilience. Though each case is completely different, they all push through the same phase at the end: finding peace. As I finished up my notes, filed her papers and locked up the cabinet, I thought about the airman’s words. I could not even imagine the courage and resilience of her family’s entire nation, as they persevered through the past centuries. I vowed to myself that I would learn more about her culture. I was sure there was a lesson to be learned. This November, I invite you to join me in the learning. Thanksgiving is a holiday that entwines cultures: Native Americans and the European settlers. Turmoil, hardship and compromises led to peace. Is that centuries-long progression so different than our personal daily (or monthly) journey? Can we find something in the histories of other peoples that help us in our own trials? I believe so. So, listen to your elders… check your beads. Find peace in tradition. Cedar K. Hamilton, Capt, WI ANG 3 SARC, 115th FW & Volk Field ;
Diversity, EO, & SAPR Newsletter Nov 2020 Emotional Intelligence For Diversity & Equal Opportunity
Embracing diversity is one of the best ways to increase your emotional intelligence (EI) or your emotional intelligence quotient (EQ). In this series, we examine what it means to embrace diversity, how this can reduce bias, and help prevent harassment and discrimination. This month, we examine The Power of Influence and “how emotional connection breaks down barriers and change minds.” The Power of Influence: “Your capacity to affect others and their behavior, and their ability to affect you.” Your goal is: “to get the best out of others and allow them to get the best out of you.” Ways to Influence: Show personal interest Encourage respect Reason with Empathy Stir their Emotions Building Bridges: “Cultivating deeper, healthier, more loyal relationships.” Cultivating meaningful relationships is hard work, but worth the effort. Relationships are a bridge we build between us and another person. Strong relationships are built on trust. Ways to Build Trust: Communication Authenticity Humility How to Use Emotional Honesty Intelligence to Battle Show you care Prejudice at Work by Justin Bariso Battling Prejudice: Increasing your Emotional Intelligence can reduce bias and help prevent harassment and discrimination by allowing you to better hear challenging thoughts and ideas from others. It can help close the perspective gap and find a way to display empathy. Be willing to listen Brave difficult conversations with empathy & respect Frame discussion with sensitivity in mind Maximize listening while minimizing defensiveness Get the full story DANIELLE M. LAWRENCE, Capt, WI ANG Equal Opportunity Director, 115th FW Are you interested in participating in an Equity Film Series or Book Club Discussion Group? This is an unofficial discussion group for all members, military and civilian, in the Wisconsin National Guard. It is not endorsed by WING or NGB. This group would be an opportunity for open, candid, and respectful conversations concerning equality and equity. Group interest will determine the film and/or book choice. The goal is to empower individuals to have difficult but respectful conversations regarding discrimination and harassment. The purpose is to promote continued positive change in our work centers and military culture.
If interested contact Capt Danielle Lawrence at [email protected] 4 ;
Diversity, EO, & SAPR Newsletter Nov 2020 National American Indian Heritage Special Observance
Pictured above, Lt Van T. Barfoot, Chotaw Indian Medal of Honor recipient for actions in WWII. 5 ;
Diversity, EO, & SAPR Newsletter Nov 2020 WING Resources Equal Opportunity & Diversity
Joint Force Headquarters
Equal Opportunity Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Ms. Michelle Baer 608.242.3702 Ms. Kathrine (Katie) Berberich 608.242.3748 [email protected] [email protected]
Ms. Danielle Lawrence 608.242.3701 [email protected]
ANG EO ARNG EO
115 FW, Air HQ, & Volk Field JFHQ: Vacant Capt Danielle Lawrence 608.245.4562 [email protected] JFHQ: MSG Lucus Kramer [email protected] MSgt Ross Templeton 608.245.4562 [email protected] 32 IBCT: WO1 Vanessa Pederson TSgt David A Brown 608.245.4562 [email protected] 64 TC: SFC Ashley Neby [email protected] 128 ARW MSgt Alicia Bitner 414.944.8654 157 MEB: SFC Timothy Connolly [email protected]
426 REG: SFC Frank Borowski [email protected]
RRB: CW3 Michelle Bethke [email protected]
National Guard Discrimination and Sexual Harassment Hotline 703-607-5462 or 1-800-371-0617
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Diversity, EO, & SAPR Newsletter Nov 2020
Sexual Assault Prevention & Response
JFHQ ANG Sexual Assault Response Coordinator 115 FW &Volk Field Ms. Tierney Twing 608.242.3742 Ms. Kelly Donner 608.245.4484 24/7 Cell 608.469.2627 24/7 Cell 608.516.9087 [email protected] [email protected]
Victim Advocate Coordinator 115 FW Ms. Katy Werginz 608.242.3736 Capt Natalie Huschka 608.245.4339 [email protected] [email protected] Volk Field Capt Cedar Hamilton 608.516.9087 [email protected]
128 ARW Ms. Jamie Reidy 414.430.1086 [email protected]
128 ARW Vacant
Human Resource Advisors & Diversity
JFHQ ANG Diversity & Inclusion 115 FW Human Resource Advisor Ms. Kathrine (Katie) Berberich 608.242.3748 SMSgt Linda Koenen [email protected] [email protected]
128 ARW Human Resource Advisor SMSgt Jason Gillis [email protected]
Volk Field Human Resource Advisor SMSgt David Ferris [email protected]
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