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DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – The roles of women have expanded greatly throughout every branch of service over the last half century. What remains consistent is that the majority of individuals who raise their right hand and swear to defend are men. This can create challenges for female Airmen. One Dyess Airman noticed these challenges and took action to bring empowerment, community and communication to enlisted female Airmen.
Senior Master Sgt. Julie Hammond, 7th Force Support Squadron career assistance advisor, helped create a forum to bring Dyess women together; the Women’s Enlisted Leadership and Development forum or WELD.
Hammond has served for 19 years, and she remembers what it was like for her as a junior-enlisted female.
“I was in radar maintenance as a young Airman and the flight that I belonged to was majority males,” said Hammond. “I got unwanted invitations that I felt were inappropriate, and as a young Airman I didn’t have anybody to turn to about those things.”
At the beginning of her career, she noticed the limited number of females serving in supervisory and leadership positions. During a WELD meeting, Hammond sat with other female senior NCOs and discussed their early career experiences.
“We went around the room and we talked about our mentors,” said Hammond. “And it was strange that 99 percent of the mentors of everyone in that room were all males, and that was very eye-opening.”
Hammond wants senior enlisted leaders to convey the message to junior enlisted Airmen that they are there for them and understand their positions.
As a military training leader at Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., Hammond participated in scheduled meetings with other female NCOs and junior enlisted Airmen in technical training there. They referred to the gatherings as “girl talk”.
“We would talk about female-related topics,” said Hammond. “The purpose was to make sure that they understood that we were in their spot at one point, and to let them know that if we could become leaders, they can too.”
Hammond is using WELD to create a culture within enlisted women where they can come together and grow.
“I think this forum and this organization has created a stronger community of not just airmanship but also womenship,” said Hammond.
WELD is generally used to target the female senior enlisted leaders so that they can have a deliberate discussion with their NCO’s to then be passed down to their Airmen. It uses a funnel method to reach women of any rank.
The WELD forum has had several different types of organized events to deliver a number of different messages.
“We’ve had stress management classes, we did one with the chaplain and talked about family and religion, and resiliency,” said Hammond. “It’s just feeling connected and more in-tune with each other.”
Staff Sgt. Allison Carr, a 7th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron dental assistant, recently had the opportunity to lead her own workshop at a WELD event.
“I was introduced to WELD by Senior Hammond,” said Carr. “When I did my first vision board workshop, I had told her about it and immediately she told me that we have to do this for WELD.”
Carr is currently studying to be a certified life coach.
“One thing that I am passionate about is helping others reach their goals,” said Carr. “I love seeing people live out their goals and passions.”
Carr also read something disheartening during her studies.
“One of the things that I read in my textbook while I was studying is how there is a connection between suicidal thoughts with those that they had no hope,” said Carr. “So when I read that, I wanted to create something to help people to remember what they are living for, and the vision board is what came to mind.”
WELD is also open for men in some events.
“Men supervise female Airman and should understand what challenges and barriers female airman go through,” said Hammond.
Hammond says that she draws inspiration from a quote by Sheryl Sandburg, “In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.” Until then, Hammond hopes that WELD will bring positive opportunities to develop ‘womenship’ and leadership for Air Force enlisted women.
| Date Taken: | 10.23.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 10.23.2019 16:08 |
| Story ID: | 348938 |
| Location: | DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 27 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, WELD strengthens women leaders, by SSgt Colin Hollowell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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