Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Lisa Francis | Airman First Class Felicia Shriver, 200 REDHORSE Squadron Electrician Journeyman...... read more read more
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MANSFIELD, Ohio - Empowerment is the process of opening up opportunities for individuals to enhance and enrich lives. Groups with less power in society seek empowerment as a means to equality. In order to recruit and retain more women, the Air Force is offering the opportunities for women to enjoy that empowerment. In the big plan, equalizing the playing field is just the first step.
Fostering individual responsibility, increasing supervisor to employee communication, providing more professional growth opportunities, encouraging workplace trust and showing concern for employee well-being; Air Force Secretary, Heather Wilson intends to empower all military members more than ever before in order to achieve excellence at the highest possible level.
March is Women’s History Month and the 179th Airlift Wing is highlighting women making history across the unit and the Ohio Air National Guard.
“Without open and effective channels of communication, women are not able to fully express their needs and aspirations. When you have full and open lines of communication, avenues are opened to increase the feeling of empowerment. They are using their voice.” said Chief Master Sgt. Dana Togliatti, Force Support Squadron Superintendent. “As a supervisor, that communication allows you to know your troop; their goals, aspirations, strengths and weaknesses and decide how to utilize them to their fullest capabilities.”
What constitutes an empowered female? A good education at any level, goals and dreams, the ability to face adverse situations, trust in a network of people, giving back to the community and the ability to encourage other women. Empowered women in the military are fitting into men-dominated spaces and not just meeting quotas. Airmen First Class Felicia Shriver is one of those ground-breaking women.
Girls have long been discriminated against by society and made to believe that they are inferior and less important than boys. Not Shriver. She was raised in a male-dominate family and grew up participating on an equal platform as her male counterparts. It was a “can do” environment and she carries that with her as she moves into more adult roles.
“I feel accepted anywhere I go; even when I’m not one of them.” Shriver said.
Shriver is an electrician with the 200th REDHORSE Squadron, DET 1, Mansfield, Ohio. She works at night with the 179th Airlift Wing as an augmentee with Security Forces. She originally joined the Ohio Air National Guard for the college tuition assistance program and is pursuing her college degree in Criminal Justice. Her long term goal will hopefully land her a career with the FBI. She chooses male-dominated careers.
“It’s awesome seeing girls want these trades. My job is a good trade for anyone. If you want it, you can do it. Just like any man, you have to be dedicated to the practice and dedicated to your goals.” she said. “I’ve never had any regrets about joining. There’s never been a doubt in my mind that this was the right choice.”
As she reflected on joining she said “I had a choice and I chose to be an electrician because it gave me life skills. At first, joining the military was about the college money, but that changed.” Shriver participated on a humanitarian mission to Hawaii to help rebuild a community after a natural disaster. In the end, she felt good about what her unit had accomplished and realized that the contributions she made to society in the Air National Guard makes a difference. Along with volunteering with the Ohio Air National Guard, Shriver also donates her time to the Girl Scouts of Heartland at the Mansfield Friendly House, Richland County Animal Shelter and the Ohio Health Hospice Care in Mansfield.
“There’s always somebody helping me and teaching me more skills. I can do it and I want to do it. Just teach me.” Shriver said. Her dad always pushed her do to her best. He never parented her like a traditional girl. “He’d say “nope, you can do it too.”” With the right skills, a young woman will be self-reliant, independent and strong.
For the first time in American history, female service members are able to drive tanks, fire mortars, and serve in elite special forces units, not because women are less capable in those domains, but because they have been denied the chance to prove their worth.
“Right now, women are behind the scenes of big missions and we really need to thank the previous generations of women for leading us there. They did all the hard work so we can have these jobs. We don’t have to fight so hard to have the choice to do anything we want.”
Part of developing as a leader is understanding how to empower subordinates so they can lead one day. As a successful organization, the Air Force is not built on individualism.
| Date Taken: | 03.27.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 03.28.2018 07:52 |
| Story ID: | 270788 |
| Location: | MANSFIELD , OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 115 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Women Making History, Shriver’s Story, by SMSgt Lisa Francis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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