Jubilation as 4 Women of Colour Make History, Emerge Commanders of US Navy Warships
- Four women of colour have made an impressive record in the United States Navy
- The women, Commanders Kimberly Jones, LaDonna Simpson, Kristel O’Cañas, and Kathryn Wijnaldum, emerged commanders of US Navy warships at the same time
- Military leaders in the US believe the women's success could open doors for other women interested in joining the Navy
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Four women of colour have made a groundbreaking record as they emerged, at the same time, as the commanders of the United States Navy warships for the first time in the history of the country.
The women are Commanders Kimberly Jones, LaDonna Simpson, Kristel O’Cañas, and Kathryn Wijnaldum.
The women commanders spoke with NBC News about the groundbreaking journey that led them to where they are now.
Source: Twitter
According to NBC News’ Lester Holt, military leaders say the emergence of the four women commanders could break barriers for other women looking to enter the US Navy.
Commander Jones, who joined the Navy in 1999, said in a clip shared with People.com:
"[The Navy] looks different in the fact that as an ensign, I looked around and at that time, there were not many senior female officers that I could necessarily go to for gender-specific questions.
"I may not have felt comfortable asking my male boss. Now, to their credit, they were phenomenal leaders. However, when it came time [for] some of those more intimate conversations on how to plan your career with a family, as a mom, that did not exist."
Jones noted that the situation has changed now as there are many female role models for young sailors to look up to in the service.
Similarly, Commander Simpson said she was never personally discouraged from achieving her goals but didn't have many female leaders to look up to or emulate.
She added that she is hopeful for the future of women in the service.
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Similarly, Legit.ng earlier reported that a Nigerian woman working in the United States as a soldier, Sergeant Mary Ehiarinmwain, was awarded the USO's Soldier of the Year 2020.
It was gathered that Mary was selected for the award after rescuing a soldier who was involved in an accident.
Mary did not know that the person she was rescuing was from her unit, the 523rd Engineer Support Company at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
In other related news, a Nigerian man, Ayoola, on Thursday, January 21, went on Twitter to celebrate his promotion in the US Army.
According to the man, his salary shot up with his new rank.
Many people congratulated him as some Nigerians asked how they could also join the military in America if they want to.
Source: Legit.ng
