KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The Kadena Company Grade Officers' Council and the Air Force Women Officers Association hosted a "Women in Leadership Panel" on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Kadena Officers' Club Ballroom.
Female chief master sergeants and field grade officers answered questions and discussed their experiences, challenges and triumphs throughout their careers.
"The goal was to provide professional development and leadership tips to the female military population," said 1st Lt. Virginia Nord, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron officer in charge of plans and resources. "This came in the form of career planning with families, dealing with coworkers and how to control emotions."
Guest speakers included Col. Debra Lovette, 18th Mission Support Group commander, Col. Kathleen Weatherspoon, 18th Force Support Squadron commander, Col. Susan Perez De Tagle, 18th Medical Operations Squadron commander, Chief Master Sgt. Jennifer Jones, 18th Comptroller Squadron superintendent and Chief Master Sgt. Kecia Uyeno, 18th Force Support Squadron superintendent of manpower and personnel, and between the five of them was a combined experience of 115 years of service and 65 assignments.
"Even though the panelists are senior leaders, the environment is relaxed and a variety of questions can be asked," Nord said. "It was a candid and open forum addressing all kinds of concerns, not necessarily only female oriented issues."
This marked the first women's leadership panel on Kadena and was important because it allowed attendees to learn from the mistakes and triumphs of their leaders to help them progress in their own careers.
"This panel and events like it are important because they help pave the way for our up-and-coming female leaders," said Uyeno.
The event was open to all military personnel and attendees gained insight to the different challenges females in the military experience.
The Kadena CGO Council and the Air Force Women Officers Association hopes to hold more events like this and gain a bigger audience, Nord said.