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Adams joined the Guard in 2014. The most rewarding part of her service as a flight nurse is "being able to transport wounded warriors and get them the care they need." She says as a queer woman of color, "these months are an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made with equality but also acknowledge the struggles and challenges those before me have gone through in order to allow me to be in the position I am as an officer and flight nurse for the U.S. Air Force."
Alipio has served since 2018, including a deployment to Ukraine. A signal support systems specialist, Alipio's favorite part of serving is the camaraderie and working collectively for the same mission. "I’m hinting at this observance as a team-building scope. Getting to know individuals and assess what each individual’s purpose is from their own perspective. To better our leadership, leaders must learn who is working with them."
Anders says her most memorable mission during nine years in the Air Guard was running a task force COVID-19 response team. "I’m very lucky, blessed, thankful and excited to stand next to the woman of the Armed Forces. They all deserve to be recognized and celebrated. It’s a wonderful feeling accomplishing how far we’ve come in the military. I’m so proud of each and every one."
Anderson says joining the Guard in 2001 "turned out to be the best decision I've ever made." A highlight of her service was being a readiness NCO for the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center. She is helping develop a female mentorship program to increase representation in senior NCO ranks. "There is no better way to pay tribute to the women who’ve come before us than to keep progress moving forward."
Cedeño has served more than 26 years, including to war in Iraq. "It is amazing that in 2022 there are still women in other parts of the world fighting for the right to receive an education, to work, to be seen and heard. Every day I am reminded of how greatly we are blessed; of the opportunity I have to be an example of perseverance to my daughter, and to all the Soldiers within the ranks. We have the enormous responsibility to do our best and to leave this world a little better off than how we got it."
Church followed her father and sister into the Air National Guard in 2007 and deployed to Kyrgyzstan in 2010-11. Asked what this observance means, she said: "I get to continue the legacy of badass women in the military! Hopefully, I can inspire more to join the service along the way."
Faircloth marks 25 years of military service in March. Her favorite part of serving is training and mentoring young Soldiers. "The observance of Women’s History Month means that women have the same equal opportunities, rights and responsibilities that are available to everyone else. We are able to display our talents and abilities without the fear of discrimination."
Garcia, a Mexican immigrant, joined in 2014 "to serve the country that gave my family an opportunity at a more desirable life." A police officer in her civilian career, she has served in Guatemala and Ukraine. "To join the thousands of women on the frontlines of change is an honor. I hope to continue to bring awareness of the existing inequalities and be that inspiration for many more to follow, because knowing women’s achievements expands their sense of what is possible."
Gleason joined the Guard in 2017 to serve alongside her father and siblings in the 127th Wing. "It is always a special thing when an older lady thanks me for my service and says she is proud of me and wishes she had joined."
Guidroz followed her older sibling into the Louisiana National Guard in 2006. "Women’s History Month means celebrating the achievements and sacrifices of women that have and continue to pave the way for women across the world. Women have demonstrated that we are more than homemakers and mothers. We have the skills and ability to do the same as our male counterparts both on and off the battlefield."
Hagerty followed her grandfathers, father and uncle into military service in 2013. Her most memorable mission was working at a Spokane food bank during the COVID pandemic. "For too long women’s contributions in all aspects of history has been minimized and forgotten. It is important to recognize and remember what women have done for our great nation. My story is just one of millions, just a drop in the ocean. But even one drop can have a ripple effect which could, in turn, turn the tide of history."
Hernández joined the Army in 2000, right out of high school. Her favorite part of serving is helping young Soldiers struggle in the growing process and finally achieve their goals. "I sit and think about all the animosity between people that seems to be happening in the world today. The same kind of animosity that was directed largely towards women in the past. Then I look at my path, my career, and my life. ... It has not been an easy road as a female in these boots, but I fought my way here and I have been able to lead Soldiers, to show them that they, too, can fight their way through any obstacle, if they just do not give up."
Hutcherson, an information technology specialist, joined the Guard in 2017. "I think of myself as a Soldier — to me, womanhood is irrelevant to my service. However, I recognize and am extremely grateful for the remarkable — and remarkably recent — changes in our military and national cultures to make that so. Observances like this highlight and celebrate how far we’ve come, and in such little time. That said, I do hope we come to take women’s equality for granted."
James served eight years in the Virginia Army National Guard and, missing the camaraderie of the military, joined the Tennessee Air Guard in 2019. She enjoys encouraging civilian women who are thinking about joining that, "although it will not be easy, it is an incredible journey."
Kirchner, a Guardsman since 2006, deployed to Greenland in 2021 for the arctic air defense exercise Amalgam Dart. A highlight of her service is helping Afghans resettle in the United States as part of Operation Allies Welcome. "Women’s History Month for me is a moment to reflect on all the female leaders who have paved a way forward in their own unique ways and with their own unique abilities. I watch in awe as my female friends, colleagues and family members continue to push limits and are catalysts for moving society forward with an added level of tender care and competence."
Langenderfer joined the Air Guard in 2009 and recently traveled to a Naval Air Station medical facility in Sicily, Italy, for a training mission. She said she is happy to be recognized during Women's History Month. "Women have come so far in the military. If women today would not have been able to join, then I wouldn't have the opportunity to share my experiences."
Michelsen, who comes from a long line of service members, joined the Guard in 2007. Her favorite part of serving "is the honor I feel every time I put my uniform on, specifically when I see my children watching." She and her four sisters have all served in the Air Force. "As a woman in the military I am well aware of the trials and tribulations females have overcome throughout history to achieve the recognition they have worked hard to obtain. Women have contributed to the success of our military endeavors since the founding of our country and I am indebted to continue the tradition."
Mitchell joined the Guard in 1996 and deployed to Afghanistan in 2009. Her most memorable mission was helping victims after Hurricane Katrina. "This observance has a couple of meanings: One is the act of conforming or following certain rules or laws, another one is acknowledging certain events that have taken place on a particular day."
Mitchell has been with the Guard since 2015. As a career development apprentice, she manages and supervises military personnel and human resource programs. Her favorite part of serving in the military is to be able to network with a variety of military members who served in the past and present. She plans to return to Wayne State University to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.
Monroe has served in the Guard for 11 years, including a 2021 deployment to Kuwait. Her favorite part of serving is "the camaraderie of the unit and how everyone takes care of each other to get the mission accomplished." She believes Women's History Month "is to recognize and celebrate the impact women have brought to the military over the years. It also teaches young girls and women you can do anything you set your mind to."
Morgan joined in 2000 right out of high school, following her father into the Air Guard. Taking care of wounded Airmen while deployed as part of the 118th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron has been the most rewarding part of her service. "There have been so many women in our history that have paved the way for others to have the opportunity to set goals and accomplish your dreams. I have met several in my time with the ANG that have played a role in my career by reminding me the sky is the limit. I have a daughter now and it makes me happy to know she will have equal opportunities to pursue her dreams and make them come true when she grows up."
Murphy joined the Guard more than four years ago to carry on the legacy of her grandfather, who served in World War II, and her father, who is a current military member. She is proud of the mission and believes diversity has helped make the Air Force the best in the world. “It is an honor to be a part of Air Force women’s history. Some of the strongest Airmen I know and work with are women.”
Oligmueller has served 18 years, including in Iraq in 2006-2007 and Jordan last year. Her favorite memory was taking part in community medical missions during her first deployment in Iraq. "Women’s history, to me, is special because it’s an opportunity to spotlight women who matter. ... It is often that women’s contributions go unnoticed. Women’s History Month is also a time to reflect on the barriers that women face even in today’s day in age, especially in the military."
Patterson has served more than 20 years and says her most memorable deployment was for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2006-2007. "Women's history month is a great time to highlight, reflect and honor the contributions of women to events in history and society. I believe it is important because when it comes to history, the story of women is largely one of exclusion, silence, absense and bias. It is an opportunity for balance."
Rivera-Medina joined the Guard in 2010. "I admired the discipline involved in being a Soldier." Her most memorable mission was supporting Puerto Ricans after Hurricane Maria. "Even though women are still a small number of the force, we are an essential part of the team. So many other women have made my path an easier one."
Rohena joined the Guard in 2012 and says becoming a full-time Soldier was the best professional decision of her life. Her most memorable mission was serving the community after Hurricane Maria. "This observance is a great opportunity to show the younger generation, who are considering making the military a career, the impact they can make on themselves, their loved ones and the community."
Rommel has served almost 11 years, including deployments to Ukraine and Kuwait. She says her service has impacted her life in a way she never imagined. She considers this observance a way "to celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and take the time to recognize the impact/achievements women have made over the course of history in a variety of fields."
Sauer is an antiterrorism program manager, and noncommissioned officer in charge of investigations and intelligence. She considers it an honor to be a woman in the military. "It brings to light the fact that women make up a large majority of military specialties. There have been mountains moved by not only female leaders, but across all ranks in today's military. It's exciting to see what barriers will be tackled next!"
Sawyer joined the Guard in 2004 and has been the wing's focal point for COVID-19 questions and data collection during the pandemic. This month's observance, she says, means "that our country recognizes there was a time when women weren’t given the same opportunities as men but we overcame that. It means we remember so we don’t repeat history."
Taylor is a nurse practitioner who joined the Guard shortly after finishing nursing school 12 years ago. "My grandmother — she is 96 years old — her tenacity and curiosity for learning and life is what inspires me. She said to me once, 'Alana you have so many options that were not available to me when I was your age. We could be nurses, teachers, secretaries or a wife,' and that has always stuck with me. It’s made me thankful for the opportunities. It was not long ago when women didn’t have the choice to enter the military."
Suárez joined the Guard in 1994. Highlights of her almost 28 years of service include attending drill sergeant school at Fort Benning, Georgia, and her time as a first sergeant. "This is an opportunity to motivate a new generation of women, especially in the National Guard. Our path has not been easy. We broke, and continue to break, paradigms, ways of thinking, preconceptions, and even so, we managed to fulfill the mission. It will inspire other female Soldiers to identify with and carry on the legacy."
Tracy followed her father into the Air Guard 18 years ago and has served in Maine, Texas and Arkansas. Her most memorable mission was a 2009-2010 deployment to Iraq. "This observance reminds me about the importance of diversity and inclusion in our military. Ensuring all Airmen have a voice and are valued members of or team will secure a better and stronger profession of arms for those yet to come. We all bring unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds that must be leveraged to ensure the Air Force of yesterday is not the Air Force of tomorrow."
Uribe, a Mexican immigrant, joined the Guard in 2014. She and her husband are both pilots in the Guard. "My favorite part of serving has been flying for the Army and learning new skills that I never thought I would learn in my lifetime. I also enjoy seeing younger people, especially females, realize that anything is possible as long as they give all they got towards reaching their goals."
Vidacovich joined the Guard in 1998, fulfilling her wish to follow her grandfather into the military. The highlight of her service was the day she became a lieutenant. This observance "shows the impact that women have played throughout history. The contributions and experiences of those before me have led me to where I am today."