Master Sgt. Maranda McCorvey Spearheads Equal Opportunity

Photo By Sgt. Sheila Holifield | Master Sgt. Maranda McCorvey, Equal Opportunity Advisor for the 177th Armored Brigade, Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Camp Shelby, Miss., speaks to members of the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, at her alma mater Pascagoula High School in Pascagoula, Miss. McCorvey is recipient of the 2009 Army Reserve Equal Opportunity Advisor of the Year and the Merlin G. Pope Jr. Award for excellence in promoting diversity.  

CAMP SHELBY, UNITED STATES

09.03.2009

Story by Sgt. Sharon Hinkle 

177th Armored Brigade

CAMP SHELBY, Miss. -- Master Sgt. Maranda McCorvey, equal opportunity advisor for the 177th Armored Brigade (Spearhead Brigade), Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center here has been very busy lately. Most recently, returning to her alma mater, Pascagoula High School, in Pascagoula, Miss., this time as a mentor to the members of the Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, in which she was a cadet and a graduate.

"Allow this program to instill discipline and determination within you," said McCorvey, a veteran of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom. She also challenged the students to maintain a positive attitude in life, because with that, you can accomplish anything, she said.

In June, McCorvey was named the Army Reserve Equal Opportunity Non-commissioned Officer of the Year and recipient of the 8th Annual Merlin G. Pope Jr. Award, which recognizes Army Reservists working in the equal opportunity arena for their efforts in promoting diversity within their respective commands. McCorvey was chosen based on her efforts in creating and maintaining a strong, proactive equal opportunity team within her brigade.

"I was both excited and shocked", speaking of her reaction to the news she had been selected. The news came to her in an email from Sgt. Maj. Paula James, the equal opportunity specialist for the 87th Support Command, U.S. Army Reserve, in Birmingham, Ala., who nominated her for the award, along with Col. J K. Chesney (Retired), former commander of the 177th Armored Brigade, CSJFTC.

"Master Sgt. McCorvey's hard work and genuine concern for the brigade equal opportunity program have earned her this award. I am very proud to have worked with her, and thank her for her efforts on behalf of the 177th Armored Brigade," said Chesney.

In her acceptance speech for the Merlin G. Pope Jr. Award, presented at the 2009 Army Reserve Equal Opportunity Training Workshop and Conference, in New Orleans, La., McCorvey stated, "I accept this award on behalf of the Soldiers of the 177th Armored Brigade. This award is not for me, but for them."

McCorvey also planned the 177th Armored Brigade's 3rd Annual Women's Equality Day Ceremony held Aug. 27 at CSJFTC. In 1971, President Jimmy Carter declared August 26 Women's Equality Day in acknowledgement of equal rights for women. During the ceremony, the "Strong Woman" award will be presented to a female Soldier from within the brigade who embodies leadership, mentorship and a commitment to high personal standards.

McCorvey has attended numerous military schools, 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 basic and advanced NCO courses. Her awards include the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Kuwait Liberation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Medal, and other national honors.

In her spare time, she volunteers with the Habitat for Humanity and the Salvation Army, helping the homeless. McCorvey is an excellent example of a true "Citizen Soldier."

• Date Taken: 09.03.2009
• Date Posted: 09.03.2009 08:59
• Story ID: 38318
• Location: CAMP SHELBY, US