Women In Defense kicked off their fall schedule on Oct. 11, with
the HORIZONS Scholarship Luncheon on Capitol Hill, featuring guest
speaker U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Davis, R-Va. (See National Defense, November
2001, p. 93.)
Professional Development Seminar
The congressional luncheon was followed by WID’s annual professional-development
weekend offsite seminar, held on Nov. 2-4, at the Greenbrier Resort
and Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. Entitled “Choices,
Challenges and Changes,” this event was presented jointly
by WID and the Defense Department’s Senior Professional Women’s
Association (SPWA). It was co-chaired by WID Historian Carole Sue
Coupland, of FD Associates, and SPWA President Sally Brown, from
the defense secretary’s command, control and communication
office.
Executive Dinner Meeting
Next came WID’s executive dinner, on Nov. 7 in Arlington,
Va. The guest speaker—Mary E. Lacey, executive director of
the Indian Head, Md., division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center—spoke
about building cooperative partnerships with private industry and
academia on science and technology initiatives.
Lacey is responsible for a $1.6 billion Navy facility, employing
more than 1,800 personnel, including nearly 800 scientists and engineers.
The division has five detachments in Virginia, New Jersey, Oklahoma
and California. It is known for its work with explosives, propellants
and pyrotechnics, and provides full support, including research,
development, test, evaluation, engineering and fleet-support functions.
Mary Lacey serves as the only Government Trustee of the National
Defense Industrial Association.
“WID holds small executive dinner meetings semi-annually
to provide an opportunity for our members to discuss crucial issues
with key decision-makers and provides a great opportunity to network,”
said Jan Menker, who serves as manager of privatization initiatives
at Concurrent Technologies and WID programs director.
Women’s Memorial Reception
WID plans to continue its annual holiday tradition of holding a
joint holiday reception with other women’s organizations.
The event is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Women In Military
Service For America Memorial, in Arlington, Va.
Situated on 4.2 acres of land at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington
National Cemetery, the memorial is the nation’s first major
national monument to honor the women who have served in all U.S.
armed forces throughout history.
With a panoramic view of monumental Washington, D.C., the Women’s
Memorial features exhibits showcasing artifacts, texts and memorable
images depicting the various military roles played by women in U.S.
history. Permanent exhibits include World War II, the Korean conflict
and the Hall of Honor, which recognizes those women who have served
with particular sacrifice, distinction and achievement, specifically
those women who died in service, were prisoners of war or were recipients
of the nation’s highest award for service and bravery.
WID will chair this event. It will be co-sponsored by SPWA and
Women In International Security.
Attendees are invited to support the Marine Corps Reserve’s
annual “Toys for Tots” drive by bringing unwrapped gifts
for young children.
“Celebrating women who serve our nation is always a central
theme at this very special annual event,” said Ella Schiralli,
WID’s holiday reception chair and national market manager
for 3M Federal Systems. Schiralli also serves on WID’s board
of directors, holding the position of treasurer.
Norma Byron, president of The Ashlawn Group, LLC, is president
of Women In Defense.