Photo By Tech. Sgt. Diana Cossaboom | Alisha Martell, U.S. Air Forces Central collection manager, looks up at the U.S. Air...... read more read more
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SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. - Women's History Month might be coming to a close, but across the world women will continue making an imprint on history.
Some of these remarkable women have cemented their spot in history by defending their nation's freedom.
One woman in particular has shown resilient character, undying commitment and limitless courage while serving on active duty and as a Department of Defense civilian contractor.
Alisha Martell, U.S. Air Forces Central collection manager, has continuously demonstrated courage by dealing with and battling through cancer.
Martell was diagnosed with cancer not once, but four times.
"I didn't even know that she was fighting cancer when I met her," said Senior Airman Jessica Kendall, AFCENT air analyst. "She doesn't bring that to work. She's always extremely strong and easy to look up to."
Martell was Kendall's supervisor before she was medically discharged. When she returned to her job as a contractor, Kendall and her became not only coworkers, but strong friends.
Martell was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2007 and fought it three more times after that. Though the multi-year battle wasn't easy, she never gave up and has been cancer free for approximately a year.
She always prepares herself for the worst when she goes in for her appointments, because it's easier to prepare for the bad news than it is for the good news, Martell added.
"I tell myself over and over again that if it's back, it's going to be ok," said Martell. "I'm going to do it like I've done before. I've been here before. It takes a lot of courage to go back because it's sometimes hard to imagine that it actually is gone."
As she adjusted her posture while speaking, it was clear that courage isn't just a word to Martell; it holds a vast meaning in her mind.
"Courage means looking conflict dead in the face and dealing with it no matter what it is," she said.
It was a bit difficult for Martell to transition from an NCO to a civilian contractor. There are positives and negatives to both, but one thing she really enjoys is being able to become friends with Airmen she once supervised, she continued.
Martell illustrates her character by being able to laugh at difficult situations, continuously having a positive attitude as well as supporting the Airmen surrounding her.
She even laughed about her cancer at times to help put everyone at ease in the office, and to create the positive atmosphere she needed to push through.
"Anytime anyone needs anything, she's always there," said Kendall.
Kendall went on to describe a time when Martell continued contributing to the Air Force mission, helping Airmen she supervised despite being quarantined due to radiation treatment.
Martell believes that integrity and compassion are an important part of her character and the character of those who she surrounds herself with.
Martell truly embodies these characteristics in all aspects of her life, Kendall added.
"She always has a smile on her face no matter what," said Kendall. "She would pack me little lunches and leave me notes that said 'hope you have a good day!'"
Even though Martell was medically retired from the Air Force, it did not stop her from doing the job she loves and serving the country she loves. Martell shows a steadfast commitment to the Air Force.
"I knew I wanted to continue the same job that I was doing," said Martell. "When I was offered a position to stay, I couldn't say no."
Even though Martell had to hang up her airman battle uniform, she continued her unwavering commitment to the Air Force by accepting the contracting job.
"She didn't want to leave," said Kendall. "She wanted to keep contributing to the Air Force mission so she came back as a contractor."
This year's theme for Women's History Month is "Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment."
For Martell, these characteristics only shed a sliver of light on her personality.
Martell added that nothing is more gratifying than working for the Air Force and she will continue to work for the Air Force as long as they allow.
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 04.02.2014 16:10 |
| Story ID: | 123784 |
| Location: | SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Females bleed blue too, by TSgt Diana Cossaboom, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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