The Flagpole e-Newsletter
Edition 83 | April 18, 2023
U.S. Army Women's Foundation
Honor ~ Empower ~ Connect
U.S. Army Women Honored
During Women's History Month, the U.S. Army Women's Foundation celebrated the 15th Annual Scholarship Awards and Hall of Fame Ceremony at the National Museum of the United States Army. The Keynote Speaker was LTG Douglas F. Stitt, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, G1. The Foundation awarded scholarships to Army women and their lineal descendants and inducted the 2023 class of Army Women into the U.S. Army Women's Foundation Hall of Fame. We are grateful to our donors and corporate sponsors who helped ensure a remarkable event!
The Army Women's Foundation Class of 2023 Hall of Fame looks on during their March 22, 2023 Induction Ceremony. From left to right: The Honorable M. Tia Johnson, COL (Ret); LTG (Ret) Flora Darpino; LTG (Ret) Susan Lawrence; BG (Ret) Becky Halstead; BG (Ret) Von Richardson; and CSM (Ret) Debbie Strickland. 2nd Row left to right: Champions CDR (Ret) Carlton Philpot and SSG Abby Davis.
Keynote Speaker LTG Douglas F. Stitt, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army, G1 provides uplifting remarks to the audience during the 15th Annual Scholarship and Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Scholarship award recipients and the Class of 2023 Hall of Fame Members participate in a cake-cutting ceremony with the Foundation's First Vice President, CSM (Ret) Cindy Pritchett, and Programs Chair, COL (Ret) Walt Gunning.
Mr. Jeff Pierce, Director of Broadcast and Media Partnerships for Wreaths Across America Radio was present at the 15th Annual Scholarship and Hall of Fame Ceremony and interviewed special guests. Pictured above is Ms. Janice Martin, the daughter of PVT Indiana Hunt Martin, a 6888th Central Directory Postal Battalion Veteran participating in a radio interview.
Doctoral Candidate Receives
Inaugural Six Triple Eight Scholarship
The U.S. Army Women's Foundation awarded the 2023 Legacy Scholarships, including the inaugural Six Triple Eight Scholarship, at the March 22, 2023 ceremony. This new scholarship honors the service of the 855 Black, Puerto Rican, Mexican, and Caribbean Women's Army Corps members assigned to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during WWII. CW4 (Retired) Nicole Burkett, a doctoral candidate at Tarleton State University, was honored as the inaugural recipient of the Foundation's Six Triple Eight Scholarship.

The Army Women's Foundation Legacy Scholarship program supports education for Army women and their children through tuition assistance for certificate programs, community college coursework, and undergraduate and graduate degrees. Over the past 145 years, the U.S. Army Women's Foundation has awarded over $650,000 through our Legacy Scholarship program. Twenty-two scholarships were awarded to deserving Army women and their lineal descendants.
Honoring the Legacy of the Six Triple Eight
Hall of Fame members and distinguished guests MSG Elizabeth A. Helm-Frazier (Class of 2020); Ms. Janice Martin (daughter of 6888th Veteran PVT Indiana Hunt Martin), SSG (Ret) Stephanie Mitchell (Class of 2022), CW4 (Ret) Rebecca Issacs (Class of 2022), Six Triple Eight Scholarship Recipient CW4 (Ret) Nicole Burkett; Army Veteran Kathleen Wright; Army Veteran Andrea Fripp; COL Edna Cummings (Class of 2020); BG Clara Adams-Ender (Class of 2019); Ms. Patricia M. Heldoorn (daughter of 6888th Veteran PFC Deloris L. Ruddock), and Karen Jordan (daughter of 6888th Veteran PFC Annie B. Knight), stand in support of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.
Meet the Class of 2023
Hall of Fame and Champions
(Audio Links courtesy of our Official Media Partner -
Wreaths Across America Radio)
The Honorable M. Tia Johnson, Colonel, U.S. Army, Retired 

The Honorable M. Tia Johnson is a leader, trailblazer and role model, achieving many firsts during her 30-year career in the Army, including being the first African American woman to be promoted to the rank of Colonel in the 227-year history of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Additionally, she was the first woman to serve as Chief, Operational Law to an Army Corps, advising war planners and warfighters, and the first African American woman to Chair an Academic Department at the U.S. Army Judge Advocate Generals’ School. On January 3, 2023, The Honorable M. Tia Johnson was sworn in as a judge for the military’s top court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. The military court consists of five civilian judges, each appointed to 15-year terms. The Honorable Johnson is the first Black woman to serve on the court.
Lieutenant General Flora D. Darpino, U.S. Army, Retired

Lieutenant General Flora Darpino is a visionary leader, trailblazer, and combat veteran who broke numerous gender barriers throughout her Army career. She is the first and highest-ranking woman appointed as the Judge Advocate General of the United States Army since the establishment of the Army in 1775. As The Judge Advocate General of the U.S. Army, LTG Darpino served as the senior military lawyer for the Army and the principal legal adviser to the Secretary of the Army. In addition, she directed over 10,000 lawyers in the JAG Corps at over 100 active and reserve Army legal offices across the U.S. and overseas. Her legacy lives on in the people she led and inspired.
Lieutenant General Susan S. Lawrence, U.S. Army, Retired

Lieutenant General Susan Lawrence is a distinguished Army leader, mentor, and role model who broke multiple gender barriers throughout her over 39-year career as both an enlisted soldier and officer. She is one of the longest-serving members of the Women's Army Corps. She is the first female to serve as the Army's top and highest-ranking Signal Officer, Chief Information Officer/G6. Before that, LTG Lawrence served as the first female Commanding General, 5th Signal Command, and the United States Army Europe and Seventh Army Chief Information Officer/ Assistant Chief of Staff, G-6 (CIO/G-6). Susan Lawrence continues to serve the military and veteran community as the first female president and CEO of AFCEA International in the association's 75-year history.

Brigadier General Becky Halstead is a trailblazer and role model who has achieved many firsts during her 27-year career in the Army. She is the first woman graduate of any of the service academies to be promoted to flag rank, the first woman to command in combat at the strategic level, and the first woman Chief of Ordnance and Commandant of the U.S. Army Ordnance School. However, more important than her firsts were the ways in which she led and continues to lead. Becky Halstead has made extraordinary contributions to the Army and to Army women and men. She is an inspirational speaker, caring leader, and author of 24/7: The First Person You Must Lead Is YOU.
Brigadier General Velma “Von” L. Richardson, U.S. Army, Retired

Brigadier General Von Richardson is a trailblazer, leader, and mentor. She is the second Black female general officer in the history of the U.S. Army and the first Black female officer to obtain the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Army’s Signal Corps. At the time of her retirement from the Army in 2003, she was the senior Black woman in the active Army. Throughout her 31-year Army career, she has always been a strong advocate for male and female soldiers and their personal and professional development. In addition, Von Richardson has interests in mentorship, education, youth, and national security, and she belongs to organizations and serves on boards that feed those interests.
Command Sergeant Major Debra L. Strickland, U.S. Army, Retired

Army Combat Veteran, mentor, coach, and advocate CSM Debra Strickland achieved many firsts during her 36-year career. CSM Debra Strickland served as the first command sergeant major of the Installation Management Command in 2006; before that, she was the first woman command sergeant major of the Installation Management Agency in 2002. As IMCOMS's chief advocate for quality-of-life issues, she is credited for guiding and developing the First Sergeant's Barracks Initiative. She culminated her career as the first female CSM and Base Camp Sergeant Major for Base Support Group Kabul, Afghanistan. CSM Strickland continues to focus on improving fellow veterans' lives through the presentation and support of scholarships and corps regimental awards developed in memory of her husband, SGM Larry L. Strickland, who was killed in the attack on the Pentagon.
Commander Carlton D. Philpot, U.S. Navy, Retired

Commander Philpot has worked for over three decades to recognize, honor, and preserve the contributions, service, and sacrifices of African American military units and Army women who have served with courage, integrity, and unselfish devotion. His efforts ensured the building of lasting monuments recognizing the service and sacrifices of Army women and men. Because of his actions and significant contributions, generations will know Cathay Williams-the only known Female Buffalo Soldier, LTC Charity Adams Earley, LTC Harriet Waddy, and the Women's Army Corps members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion that served in World War II in the European Theater of Operations.
SSG Abby M. Davis, U.S. Army

Staff Sergeant Davis championed on behalf of Army women the change to AR 670-1 authorizing the wear of ponytails in all uniforms. In 2021, the Army released updated grooming and appearance regulations after the 670-1 board convened specifically to consider 670-1 impacts on minorities. Through this board, initially, women were granted the ability to wear a ponytail only while wearing an Army Combat Helmet, Combat Vehicle Crewman Helmet, or other helmets where the bun interfered with the safety and proper wear of the helmet. Through SSG Davis’s grassroots approach, SSG Davis facilitated an updated grooming regulation allowing women the option to wear a ponytail in all uniforms.
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APRIL's
Female Mentoring and Moral Program (FMMP)

Thursday, April 27, 2023
This month, we invite you to discuss 
“Taking Charge of Your Health and Wellness.”
Date/Time: Thursday, April 27, 2023 | 1800-1930 EST/ 1700-1830 CST
Location: ZOOM - Please register in advance at the link below.
Guest Panel Members:
  • COL Wendy Gray (Commander, Fox Army Health Clinic (FAHC)) – “Leading in the Medical Profession”
  • LTC Victoria Ijames (Director-Psychological Health) – “Stress vs. Anxiety”
  • Dr. Minnetta Williams (Chief, FAHC Healthcare Provider) - “The Importance of Annual Exams and Medical Screenings”
  • Heather Hough (Registered Clinical Dietician) – “Body Image Resilience”
  • Shandelon Garner (Community Health Nurse) – “Tips for a Productive Medical Appt”
April is the Month of the Military Child
April is designated the Month of the Military Child, underscoring the important role military children play in the armed forces community. Sponsored by the Department of Defense Military Community and Family Policy, the Month of the Military Child is a time to applaud military families and their children for their daily sacrifices and the challenges they overcome.
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Army Women's Foundation | (804) 734-3078 | info@awfdn.org | awfdn.org