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News > Joint Women's Leadership Symposium to be held March 5-6
Joint Women's Leadership Symposium to be held March 5-6

Posted 2/10/2012   Updated 10/2/2012 Email story   Print story

    


by Senior Airman Christina Brownlow
Air Force Public Affairs Agency


2/10/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Women from all branches of the armed forces will have the opportunity to learn leadership skills and network at the Joint Women's Leadership Symposium here March 5-6.

The symposium, themed "United in Service -- Our Global Impact," will offer women the opportunity to focus on their leadership development while also highlighting the achievement of women leaders on the front lines around the globe.

"The symposium is important because it brings together enlisted, officer, and civilian women from across the services for professional development, networking, and inspiration," Lt. Col. Jessica Milam, Air Force Diversity deputy director said, adding the symposium "offers amazing speakers from across the globe who will address the importance of women to the mission."

The joint symposium partners the Air Force and Army with the Marines, Navy and Coast Guard.

"This symposium is part of a larger strategy of professional development of our Airmen as well as advocating for diversity and also the balance between work and life," said Dan Sitterly, Air Force director of Airman Force Development. "This is exciting to me because when you talk to young Airmen today and ask them what is important to them, it is both family and their work."

Gen. Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Olympic medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Courtney Lynch and Angie Morgan, authors of "Leading From the Front," and Rep. Susan Davis, Co-Chair on Military Issues for Congressional Women's Caucus, will speak during the first day of the conference.

The conference also will feature speakers and panel sessions on issues relevant to military women, such as "A Global Force for Good" and "Getting Stronger Through Diversity and Inclusion." Additionally, a female general officer panel, including representatives from all branches, will address leadership issues.

The second day will be broken into separate service groups, where Air Force speakers will focus on topics including career development and balancing work and life. The overall goal is to encourage and retain women in the Air Force.

"How we can offer a lifestyle that can both leverage the tremendous amount of talent that women bring to the Air Force and balance of a family as they make a career out of it?" Sitterly asked.

Right now, approximately 19 percent of Airmen are women and our accession rate is about 22 percent, Sitterly said. "That's a lot of talent we're missing out on, so this symposium is going to discuss that, among other things," he added.

"The Air Force needs women," Milam said. "We value women and having this opportunity to have many generations of women from different career fields and experiences in one place is invaluable."

For more information or to register for the symposium, visit www.sealeader.org/leadership-symposium-summary.



tabComments
2/16/2012 3:18:42 PM ET
For men that want a leadership symposium, you are more than welcome to come to the women in leadership symposium as you may gain insight on how to mentor and grow a subset of those you are expected to effectively lead. it is not just for women it is for all leaders with a focus on women's role in the military. If you would really like a men's leadership symposium, then get off your butts and create one. The air force began participating in this symposium that the navy established last year and through the leg work of one lt one capt and one major who worked this outside of duty hours one of them while flying sorties in Iraq. No-one is stopping you from having a leadership event focused on men's issues youll see on the registration website that the cost is high which is because the symposium recieves less funding than most unit's TDY budgets for the entire event.
X, CONUS
 
2/15/2012 2:14:16 PM ET
This is a great opportunity for Women to learn how to improve their leadership ability. I attended the USAF Women's symposium back in 2007 and it was an amazing experience. The Guest speakers and trailblazers told women how to mentor both men and women. The perspective was much broader then the leadership you are taught in PME. I enjoyed how the Guest Speakers talked to Women about being Sisters instead of Rivals Oftentimes Women are not mentoring one another because we view the other woman as competetion. These types of symposiums help to break down barriers....they don't create them. The symposium was open to men as well and a few were there.
Kay, Michigan
 
2/15/2012 7:41:33 AM ET
I for one am completely appalled by the sentiments expressed by some regarding this article. In my opinion it is absolutely juvenile to lash out against this event's very existence. I empathize with some that make the comparison that if there is a Women's Symposium then there should be a Men's Symposium; however, to make such an arbitrary claim disregards real issues women in the military services face throughout their careers.To make such sexist comments behind a thinly veiled equality argument is an insult. For one to use the nomination of the first female in the Air Force to 4-star general as example of how this symposium is unnecessary is like saying there is no racism in America because we have an African American President.A symposium like this warranted because there are systemic issues within the military culture/organization that still disenfranchises women for full participation at all levels of leadership when compared to their male counterparts. Besides the big
SSgt Kevin Green, RAF Lakenheath
 
2/14/2012 4:08:53 PM ET
Let's face it folks, you can't please everyone and there will ALWAYS be someone complaining...no matter what.
gender doesn't matter, OH
 
2/14/2012 11:38:39 AM ET
So female airman you have been discriminated against and it affected your ability to lead. But then you go on to say that discrimination in the Air Force is handled swiftly and severly. Which is it Then you claim there is a need for these symposiums because true equality doesn't exist. So having a symposium focused solely on one demographic equates to equality And then labeling those of us that disagree with these things as sexists Seriously Grow up Airman.
Rick Mantangelo, CONUS
 
2/14/2012 10:30:45 AM ET
Maria O and female Airman I am a female and have had a career both in and out of the AF. I completely agree with and understand the other comments. They are not sexist. They see that there is discrimination in a time where discrimination should not be a source of pride i.e. holding these type of conferences nor a time where the budget and jobs are being cut. If you have had discrimination in your career then those individuals are wrong. But that is NOT the views of the majority of the males in the AF and they should not have to face discrimination either. I have always refused to participate in the Woman only... type of conferences etc. to show that I truly believe that my abilities will be what gets me to the next level - not my gender. Why attend something that tries to highlight otherwise
Completely Agree, Oh
 
2/13/2012 11:04:35 PM ET
The Joint Men's Leadership Symposiusm is in Afghanistan this year and it's six months to a year in length...
R, PACAF
 
2/13/2012 7:08:36 PM ET
Those of you nay-sayers don't see a need which means you have not been on the receiving end of gender discrimination or sexual harrassment--good for you While I believe the AF is beating the national average for civilian workplaces these things still go on. I have dealt with it and it affects my ability to lead and do my job which affects the mission. As long as there isn't true equality there is a need. The best we can do is continue to strive for equality. Maria O despite my comments and those of the sexists here it's a great place to work and I highly recommend it. Would you ever have to deal with discrimination the bosses handle the perpetrators swiftly and severely.
female Airman, CA
 
2/13/2012 3:43:21 PM ET
It would be interesting to know how much money is being spent on these kinds of boondoggles that highlight differences in these very austere times when we are cutting the size of the force in both weapon systems and personnel. I guess the politically correct budget items are immune from the axe that is so freely weilded against the rest of the force. Also we are constantly told that items in the budget that aren't directly involved in the fight will be cut to save the support to the war fighter. How is this more important to the warfighter than keeping more aircraft in the air or more Airmen in the service
Jerry, Oklahoma
 
2/11/2012 12:33:32 PM ET
Men from all branches of the armed forces will have the opportunity to learn leadership skills and network at the Joint Men's Leadership Symposium at the Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center, Washington, DC. 9 to 10 March 2013. 2012's partner event the Joint Women's Leadership Symposium was a huge success and we are now looking forward to bringing together enlisted officer and civilian men from across the services for professional development networking and inspiration. HAHA...SNOWBALL'S CHANCE IN HELL.
Maj, SWA
 
2/10/2012 11:53:15 PM ET
Discoureged to see these types of comments- as a civilian nurse considering a career as an airforce nurse this is not particularly supporting a reason to join...hmmm
Maria O, ATX
 
2/10/2012 6:46:46 PM ET
The irony here is that we've just nominated the first female to USAF 4-star and she has never had a joint assignment. What's next, the Joint African American Leadership Symposium or the Joint Asian Pacific Leadership Symposium or Joint Asian-Pacific Women's Leadership Symposium? Enough. If we fall back simply on competence vs. demographic diversity will be there anyway.
JAFSO, Grand County CO
 
2/10/2012 4:11:09 PM ET
Sweet! Sign me up for the Joint Men's Leadership Symposium. When/where is it anyway?
Mike, WA
 
2/10/2012 3:34:40 PM ET
Too bad I can't make it. I'll be at the Joint Men's Leadership Symposium. Oh wait there isn't one.
Caveman, Bedrock
 
2/10/2012 2:40:16 PM ET
This is awesome. So what leadership skills will these women get that aren't taught during Professional Military Education? Why is that that we are to treat women equally, but we have a special symposium just for them? Sounds like yet another boondoggle fueled by the tax payer in order to highlight differences rather than integrate them.
Rick Mantangelo, CONUS
 
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