Master Sgt. Maranda McCorvey is named the Army Reserve Equal Opportunity NCO of the Year

Photo By Sgt. Sharon Hinkle | Master Sgt. Maranda McCorvey and her award.  

CAMP SHELBY, UNITED STATES

08.10.2009

Story by Sgt. Sharon Hinkle 

Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. - With family, friends and fellow Soldiers present, Master Sgt. Maranda McCorvey, equal opportunity advisor for the 177th Armored Brigade, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Camp Shelby, Miss., proudly accepted the 8th Annual Merlin G. Pope Jr. Award, and is named the Army Reserve Equal Opportunity Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. The award was given during the 2009 Army Reserve Equal Opportunity Training Workshop and Conference, held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New Orleans, La.

The award is given to a nominee who has distinguished himself or herself through their contributions to the equal opportunity environment and their accomplishments in promoting diversity within their respective commands. The nominee must come highly recommended by at least three senior officer and/or enlisted personnel, with the overall selection being made by the Command Sgt. Maj. of the Army Reserve, Command Sgt. Maj. Leon Caffie.

Merlin G. Pope Jr., an Army and Vietnam veteran, is credited with bringing the concept of diversity to organizations and promoting that concept as a strength. In 1976, he formed one of the first behavioral consulting firms, based in Cincinnati, Ohio, which remains a leader today in the diversity consulting profession. Many Fortune 500 companies enlisted the services of Pope and Associates, where he remained the chief executive officer until his death in 1998.

"I was both excited and shocked," said McCorvey, speaking of her reaction to the news that she had been selected. The message came to her in an e-mail from Sgt. Maj. Paula James, the equal opportunity specialist for 87th Support Command, United States Army Reserve, in Birmingham, Ala. Her sister, Tamiko MCorvey, and her niece, Nekisha McCorvey, were able to attend the ceremony, making the trip from Germantown, Md.

Originally from Gautier, Miss., McCorvey has 25 years of military service. During this time she has deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom. She has attended numerous military courses, to include the Equal Opportunity Advisor's Course, the Equal Opportunity Mediation course, the Equal Opportunity Counselor's Course, and the first phase of the First Sergeant's Course. She has also attended both the advanced and basic NCO courses. Her awards include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

In her speech, McCorvey began by thanking the wife of Merlin G. Pope Jr., Patricia, for continuing to honor her husband's memory. She also thanked her mother by saying, "Although she is no longer with me, she has made me the person I am today, and I know she is watching."

She thanked the command of the 177th, Col. William Prior and Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney Harris, and her equal opportunity staff, comprised of 12 personnel, calling them "the wind beneath my wings".

McCorvey said she is very passionate about what she does.

"It is my job to make sure each Soldier is treated equally and with respect. It is also my job to expose Soldiers to diversity within our organization. Equal opportunity is important to mission readiness because equal opportunity is mission readiness."

• Date Taken: 08.10.2009
• Date Posted: 08.10.2009 10:34
• Story ID: 37329
• Location: CAMP SHELBY, US