Women: Builders of Communities and Dreams

Photo By Spc. Mary Ferguson | Command Sgt. Maj. Cynthia Graham, the 181st Transportation Battalion command sergeant major, holds a pipe steady during the Monster Garage filming at LSA Anaconda.  

03.10.2006

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Mary Aloysius Molloy (1880-1954) challenged the early 20th century stereotypes associated with women's intellectual capacity by instituting a rigorous four year undergraduate curriculum for women at the College of Saint Teresa in Minnesota in 1928.

Her scholarly leadership helped build a community of educators and opened countless doors for women.

Aileen Clarke Hernandez (1929- ) has dedicated decades of her life to a wide variety of humanitarian issues. Her tireless fight for labor rights, women's rights, civil rights and human rights earned her a 2005 nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. As a pioneering activist, Hernandez has held countless leadership positions and coordinated alliances affecting millions of people.

The 2006 National Women's History Month theme, "Women: Builders of Communities and Dreams," honors women for bringing communities together and restoring hope in the face of overwhelming odds. Molloy's and Hernandez's historic contributions warranted their slots on this year's National Women's History Month honorees list.

While classrooms and communities throughout America observe the roles women like Molloy and Hernandez have played in our nation's educational and humanitarian history, Col. Jannett N. Jackson, the 3rd Corps Support Command's 40th Corps Support Group commander, is honoring those same women by echoing their contributions in her life as a civilian and a Soldier.

Jackson, now the highest ranking African American female in the California National Guard, is in her 28th year of military service.

Her uniformed career began in April 1978 when she served as a senior airman in the California Air National Guard.

In 1979, Jackson transferred to the state's Army National Guard, receiving her commission from the California Military Academy in July 1983.

She earned her bachelors in Nursing and masters degrees from California State University, and completed her doctorate degree at the University of Texas at Austin.

As a National Guard Soldier, Jackson lives somewhat of a "double life," allowing her to help create communities and sustain dreams in countless ways and in myriad venues.

Jackson left her civilian role as the College of Alameda's vice president of instruction to fill her current role as the 40th CSG commander in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07.

"Though my two lives are very different, the leadership responsibilities are incredibly similar," Jackson explained.

As the vice president of instruction, Jackson instituted a variety of initiatives at the College of Alameda, including reexamination of the college's curriculum, contributions to strategic planning and leadership in grant development.

Her dedication to improving education coupled with her personal scholarly achievements reflect the vision and influence of women like Mary Aloysius Molloy who paved the way for women in academics.

Though the decisions she makes from her civilian position impact the educational future of many people, her leadership on the battlefield can carry very real, often life or death, consequences for the Soldiers under her command.

While deployed to Iraq, the 40th CSG is made up of a Headquarters and Headquarters Company, the 181st Transportation Battalion and the 548th Corps Support Battalion.

"The 181st Trans. Bn. runs security escort missions and other transportation missions, and the 548th CSB handles logistical and quartermaster type missions," Jackson explained.

"There are such a variety of missions going on all the time and my role is to kind of oversee them all."

Jackson also spends a great deal of time visiting injured servicemembers and Iraqis at the Logistical Support Area Anaconda Theater Hospital.

"Our [40th CSG] headquarters building is just down the street from the hospital, so we try to visit not only our injured Soldiers, but also Soldiers from other units whose commanders are at other bases and can't get here," she said.

"Those visits are one of the most challenging parts of my job," she added.
"But it's so important that the Soldiers know we are there for them, that they know we care and support them."

Though the hospital visits can be difficult, they often create some of the most rewarding times for Jackson as a commander.

"When we see the injured Iraqi children, and we are helping them, and they are smiling, it reminds me of what we are doing here in Iraq. It's rewarding," she explained.

As Jackson joins the ranks of servicemembers, both male and female, who sacrifice on a daily basis to improve the lives of Iraqi people and protect the future of democracy, she honors the humanitarian contributions of women like Aileen Clarke Hernandez.

"It's obvious that she cares very deeply for the Soldiers," said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael E. Baker, the 40th CSG command sergeant major. As the unit's command sergeant major, Baker is the senior enlisted advisor to Jackson.

"I respect her because she knows the job, she is extremely educated and we work really well together," Baker said.

"I joined the Army in 1973 and I have seen a large transformation of women's roles in the Army," he said. "I think it's the Soldier who is or is not right for the job, not whether or not they are male or female."

Throughout her military and civilian careers Jackson has often been surrounded by males.

"Of course there has been incredible progress as far as females holding leadership positions in the military, but since I am again the first in a position, there is still much progress to be made," Jackson said.

Jackson is married to Michael Shiplet of Austin, Texas. She is the oldest of her seven siblings and credits her mother with teaching her the importance of being strong and driven, regardless of life's circumstances.

The work of women like Mary Aloysius Molloy and Aileen Clarke Hernandez sparked change, opened doors for today's women, and placed the nails for constructing future communities and dreams. Women like Col. Jannett N. Jackson are picking up the hammers and eagerly accepting their role as this century's builders.

• Date Taken: 03.10.2006
• Date Posted: 03.10.2006 07:13
• Story ID: 5657