Freedom Sisters Magazine | August 2021 | Peaceful Warrior

AUGUST 2021 • VOL . 1 • ISSUE 8

•AMPLIFY WOMEN VETERANS•

‘Fly Girl Painter’ Makes Her Mark and Inspires Next Generation

Find Peace in a Chaotic World: Plan a Trip Centered in Solitude and Reflection

Intentional LeadHERship

•AMPLIFY WOMEN VETERANS•

•MAGAZINE•

August 2021 | Vol. 1 | Issue 8 Publisher Freedom Sisters Media, LLC

EditHER-in-Chief Managing EditHER Contributing WritHERs HER Life MentHERship HERstory FoundHER LeadHER HER Next Mission Woman Warrior

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Kerri Jeter E.V. Moore

Naviere Walkewicz | Aaliyah Al-Mahdi Jacqueline Zappey | Allaina Rapps | Cynthia Cline Jennifer Rodriguez | Laura Jones Amy Forsythe E.V. Moore Susanna Keilman | Joanna Sweatt | Elis Salamone Krista Morris-Tworek | Jessica Morel Lorriane Cuff | Susanna Keilman Kerri Jeter Kerri Jeter Courtesy Photo

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Copyright | 2020-2021 | Freedom Sisters Media LLC Freedom Sisters Media respects the rights of all writeHERs, Photographers, Artists, and copyright holders. Consequently, all works that appear on this platform do so with the consent of the writeHER/s or the copyright holder. No image or information display on this site may be reproduced, transmitted, or copied without the express written permission of Freedom Sisters Media. Contravention is an infringement of the Copyright Act and its amendments and may be subject to legal action.

FreedomSisters, VetHERan, MentHERship, EditHER, SuperSHEro, highlightHER, WriteHER, FoundHER, LeadHER are trademarks of Kerri jeter.

From the EditHER-in-Chief This time last year felt so heavy and time just seemed to take forever—a pandemic was wreaking havoc on our world, a polarized election was on the horizon for our nation and cultural unrest was everywhere we looked.

As we begin to re-open the nation and start connecting again, I personally hope we do so with acceptance and kindness.

Diversity with unity is a very real challenge but we cannot see the whole truth without diversity in our communities.

I am so proud to be among the most diverse veteran community—VetHERans! Not only are we a minority because of our gender, but also more diverse than our male counterparts as well.

Women Vets are 49% Caucasian and 51% ethnic minorities—Men are 81% white.

We have an incredible opportunity to be leadHERs in racial reconciliation, every time we work togetHER to better our sisterhood, we lead by example. VetHERans are doing amazing things to help one anotHER heal, be seen and win!

Month after month, I am blown away by the talents and gifting we as a community bring to the table. I am watching HERstorical moments happen in Military Justice Reform and guess who is leading the way on the greatest changes we have seen to the Military Justice System in our lifetime—women!

In my assessment and my personal dealings in the advocacy for this change, women are just showing up with all their power, logical, legal, moral and ethical beliefs while standing their ground against the systemic failures.

Our company and this magazine celebrate women, in a way no other media company has done for women who served or want to serve this great nation.

I am proud of the stories on these pages, proud of women stepping into their calling and purpose for the greater good of all mankind.

We see you.

We hear you.

We know you.

CONTENT

27 In every Issue

HER Life

Note from the EditHER

Summertime blues.

HighlightHER

Find Peace in a Chaotic World: Plan a Trip Centered in Solitude and Reflection.

WriteHER Connection ActivateHER

PAGE 5

36

MentHERship

Three things I wish I knew before basic.

Intentional LeadHERship

HERstory

Breaking Glass Ceilings We are the few, the proud, the Military MotHERs.

Four Keys to a successful transition

PAGE 9

FreedomSisters Magazine

PAGE 19

07

13 FoundHER

‘Fly Girl Painter’ Makes Her Mark and Inspires Next Generation.

Nose art is a longstanding tradition for military aircraft. Meet Shayne Meder, a talented VetHERan who continues to serve through her art.

LeadHER

47 HER Next Mission

No Sister Left Behind.

Unseen on the big screen.

Learn more about The Pink Berets and their innovative leadHER, Stephanie Gattas.

Wonder Woman, the peaceful warrior.

A true healing opportunity free of cost for all of our sisters-in-arms.

A degree vs. certification...What's driving you?

Woman Warrior The Healing Properties of Houseplants: Five must have plants for beginners.

My daughter's graduation and God's plan.

Honor, diligence, service and love.

Jen's Love Army.

PAGE 27

PAGE 36

PAGE 45 FreedomSisters Magazine

PAGE 57

By: Naviere Walkewicz

Summer—the time for vacations, grilling out, and sipping wine on the patio.

Sunshine, longer days and messy houses filled with laughter. Sibling wars (because the kids are out of school), expanded waistlines and skipped workouts.

Wait, what?

Maybe it’s just me, but summer is the perfect dichotomy—wonderful and terrible. Let me explain.

Every year, I long for summer and work hard to establish routines so I can “look good in my tank top” or “surprise my cousins at the family gathering.”

Then summer comes and all the hard work and routine falls to the wayside. Ah yes, happens to you too?

Not this year. This year, we can beat the summer blues!

Ready to join me?

Step 1: Make the Decision.

There is power in choosing to regain control and take action.

Committing to change something, and successfully doing so, starts with the mind.

The remaining steps can vary in order, the most important factor being this: do them.

Schedule workouts (yes, put them on the calendar and make that appointment) Eat smaller portions (use salad plates to feel like you are getting more food) Take walks (this is a great time to enjoy longer days, say hello to Mother Nature) Love on those fruits and vegetables (let these food be the star of your day) Be kind to the woman in the mirror Actually, that last step might be the most important of them all. No matter what, remember you are an amazing, powHERful woman.

Today you might not be where you were entering summer, but tomorrow you’ll be one step closer to getting back on track.

You got this, Sis. Need an accountability partner?

Connect with Coach Naviere in her mighty network community – naviereLIFE at https://navierelife.mn.co/landing.

Find Peace in a Chaotic World: Plan a Trip Centered in Solitude and Reflection By: Aaliyah Al-Mahdi

A girl gathering or family vacation is fun and often, it’s much needed but sometimes we need a little alone time even more. After spending a year mostly at home, one challenge to achieving relaxation is being comfortable exploring in potentially crowded spaces.

Luckily, solitude can be one of the best ways to find peace and reset our minds. Peaceful activities that promote solitude can include spending time by water or being in nature, practicing self-care or placing ourselves in a quiet environment like a public library.

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Spend time on the water Being near the water often prompts self-reflection and rejuvenation but you don’t have to make a trip to one of the coasts to reap the benefits of water. Plan a trip to a lake and, even better, visit a lake that isn’t as crowded as some of the bigger tourist destination lakes.

Explore the quieter side of the Great Lakes. In Wisconsin visit Newport State Park, Rock Island State Park or Simmons Island Beach. If you’re in Michigan, visit North Bar Lake, McCarty’s Cove, Twelve mile Beach or Lake Huron Roadside Park.

Other secluded lakes to explore in the U.S. include Lake Dillon in Dillon, Colorado, which is a fresh water reservoir that offers stunning views of the Rocky Mountains. The Rangeley Lakes region in Rangeley, Maine that features six large lakes that offer peace and natural beauty.

If you plan to take a trip out west or live there and want to play in your backyard, hit Bigfork, Montana or check out Priest Lake, in Idaho.

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Take a trip to a botanical garden Get lost in beautiful flowers and plants by visiting some of the most spectacular botanical gardens throughout the country. Visit the United States Botanic Garden, in Washington, DC., the New York Botanical Garden, in New York City, the San Francisco Botanical Garden, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, or the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, in Coral Gables, Florida.

Many cities across the nation have botanical gardens, so check out your local scene too.

Ideas to relax inside If you prefer to spend time indoors but don’t want to travel that far from home, look into planning a self-care weekend at a hotel near your home.

Many four or five-star hotels offer massage or spa packages and that’s a perfect way to treat yourself.

Do you crave the quiet comfort of libraries? Plan a trip around visiting some of the most unique public libraries in the U.S. There are lots of libraries that are quiet sanctuaries for bookworms, but many also have unique architectural details.

A few worth visiting are Ben May Main Library in Mobile, Alabama, a library that has ancient Greek design elements, and is on the National Register of Historic Places. Geisel Library at UC San Diego is named for Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as "Dr. Seuss," and the library’s quirky, futuristic design is reminiscent of the beloved childhood author.

Indianapolis's Central Library was originally constructed 100 hundred years ago in Greek Doric style, and has recently been renovated with a 10,000-square-foot glass atrium that provides expansive views of the city skyline.

Now that you have a few ideas of how to get out and spend some quiet time reflecting, carve out time and commit to a weekend or even a week—for yourself.

3

THI

Joining the military is a big decision for most people. There are many reasons people choose to join. At 17, I was left broken-hearted after a nasty breakup with my high school sweetheart and my future felt uncertain.

A few of my close friends had joined the reserves and were getting paid more money than I would ever be able to make at my minimum wage job.

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I was enrolled in online classes so I could graduate high school early and go to our local community college on a tuition free scholarship but after one term I knew I needed something different. I felt I needed to make a change. One day I woke up and told my dad I wanted to join the military.

We drove straight to the recruiting offices at the mall. The Navy was the only office not on lunch break.

I wish I kn

I spent a few hours enthralled by their sea stories and the possibility of what my life could eventually look like. After that one meeting I was sold—hook, line and sinker.

I signed my contract and began the Delayed Entry Program (DEP). They started training me to become a sailor. I was working out, marching in line, studying the ranks and learning military basics.

NGS

knew before basic.

New Recruits arriving at Great Lakes, Il for training.

Photo by Scott A. Thornbloom

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I felt prepared for boot camp and my military career. My recruiters did a fantastic job of letting me know what to expect but as a woman, there were things I wish I had known before joining.

1 Be confident.

You know that saying, “Fake it ‘til you make it?” Apply this to your military career. Women are greatly outnumbered in this male dominated profession.

At my first duty station I was chosen to call cadence while marching. This is where we sing or chant while we march. I had a loud voice and I used to be a cheerleader. This was the perfect role for me.

I also became the leader for workouts. I noticed a lot of the men had a hard time listening to me versus another male of the same rank repeating what I said.

I was taught to be confident and this greatly increased their ability to do what I asked and needed to get done.

2 Don’t be so trusting.

It’s easy to let your guard down around like-minded people when you join the service, especially as a young adult.

When I first made it to the fleet, I was extremely trusting of everyone. I even turned my head to advice given by the women in my living quarters about people on the ship.

I ended up learning the hard way that I should have listened to all of them saying the same thing.

Heed my warning—if multiple people are giving the same advice you should probably listen.

3 Use your educational benefits.

Educational benefits will vary from branch to branch. Make sure to utilize your benefits while on active duty. During my time in the Navy I was able to use a Tuition Assistance program which paid for most of my associate’s degree.

That allowed me to save my G.I. Bill for both my bachelor’s and most of my master’s degrees.

If I wouldn’t have used that benefit, I would have been left paying much more out of pocket for schooling. Be sure to ask your recruiter about any available educational assistance they offer and get it added into your contract so you have proof.

There are many tips I could offer for women joining the service. The great thing about this day and age is everything is on the internet. Do your research. Check out articles, YouTube videos, friend’s posts, blogs and whatever else you can get information from. This will greatly increase your readiness to join and your confidence which is vital to serving as a woman in the military.

FreedomSisters Magazine

Virtual LIVE Stream

AUG 18TH 7PM EDT

Not In My Marine Corps

1st Sgt. Allaina Rapps, fists bumps at award ceremony during COVID-19

Intentional LeadHERship By: Allaina Rapps

In full transparency, I never intended to become a leadHER. My plan was to get out of the military after my initial enlistment.

However, in a blink of an eye and twenty years later, I still serve.

These intentional leaders saw my potential even when I couldn’t see it myself.

What changed?

A formal leader is appointed by position or title.

An informal leader is someone you look up to or you want to emulate.

I experienced leaders who were intentional.

Leaders that inspired me over time through action, deed and word.

To inspire, you first have to aspire to be greater than you are today. Anyone can make a decision. But great leaders are self-aware and are intentional in thought and action, even faced with adversity.

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They mentored me through formal and informal leadership.

Their intentional leadership provided invaluable counsel throughout my career, so for that, I want to be intentional about equipping you with the very philosophies and lessons they provided me in developing my leadHERship.

Listen with empathy.

“One of the best attributes any leader can display is the ability to not only listen but to do so with empathy,” says former Platoon Sergeant, Sergeant First Class, Retired, Anthony Young. As my first mentor in service, he believed in putting “ourselves in someone else’s shoes.” It provides the opportunity “of connecting to that individual in ways that we may not have been able to otherwise.”

Sergeant First Class, Retired, Anthony Young

Seek knowledge.

Reading fosters growth and enables you to stay relevant. Former colleague and mentor, Sergeant Major Dana Richmond, says “Lifelong learning is a part of being a professional, stewarding your profession, challenging yourself, and improving your organization.”

Richmond recommends, “find a mentor to guide you,” for personal and professional goals alike.

Sergeant Major Dana Richmond

Be courageous yet humble.

Warren G. Bennis said, “The manager does things right; the leader does the right thing.”

Friend and previous Commander of mine, Lieutenant Colonel Nelson Avilesfigueroa, says “I believe doing the right thing, which is not always the popular thing to do and probably the most challenging, requires courage.” Have the humility to understand your weakness and the courage to strive to be better.

Lieutenant Colonel Nelson Avilesfigueroa FreedomSisters Magazine

Have grit.

Sergeant First Class, Retired, Steven Trackwell

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, grit is a hard sharp granule of sand or firmness of mind or spirit. Sergeant First Class, Retired, Steven Trackwell, is a leader I respect for his passion and perseverance; for his grit.

Trackwell says, great leaders “...test your limits daily both physically and mentally,” and that “great leaders…are the ones that push you through your potential breaking point into greatness.” When you have grit, you never give up. Grit builds character.

Allaina Rapps and new recruits

Great leaders are developed over time through: self-awareness, empathy, courage, humility, an appetite for knowledge, and grit. While simple in nature, these traits are intentional choices. Choose to be an intentional leadHER. Lastly, you don’t need to have all the answers to be a great leadHER. In fact, admitting you don’t have every answer is admirable in itself, and key for self development. LeadHERs gain knowledge through experience and experience is accomplished by trying things you’ve never tried before.

To make an impact, be the leadHER you always wanted. Choose to be present, empathic, courageous, thirsty for knowledge and always remember to have grit.

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Connect with us & share your stories! #amplifywomenveterans #freedomsistersmagazine

Four Keys to a successful transition

The transition from the military has been proven to be extremely difficult.

Veterans regularly struggle with unemployment, homelessness, mental health issues, loss of identity and a host of other hurdles.

I was prepared to hate my transition. I was prepared to feel like I lost myself, yet, so far, none of those issues have plagued me.

Why? I attribute much of my success to preparing in advance.

By: Cynthia Cline

FreedomSisters Magazine

The DoD does an adequate job of assisting service members to prepare for separation, especially considering many of these resources weren’t available years ago.

But preparation goes beyond attending the Transition Assistance Program and seeking a job.

Research. Like any good project manager, research is essential. How can you solve a problem without adequate research? Researching the challenges you will come across is essential. I talked to countless members who went before me.

Some had recently separated and were able to give me practical advice (don’t schedule your ID appointment until your seperation date). Others taught me about the concerns that happened 6+ months down the road. Each person gave me their experience, their challenges, and their lessons learned. With that information, I was armed enough to not repeat the same mistakes of those who struggled before me.

If you’re a pilot, talk to other pilot friends. If you’re a finance troop, see what the job market is looking like. If you plan on staying at home, talk to other Stay-at-home-moms. What were their biggest struggles? What were their biggest successes?

What resources are they utilizing to help navigate their current season?

Use your resources. It is naive to think you can transition well without using the resources that are currently available. Resources such as TAPs, Boots to Business, etc. exist because a need was identified and a solution was discovered. Attending TAPs is mandatory for all transitioning service members, so do not waste those few days wishing you were somewhere else.

Instead, fully participate and engage. Follow the guidelines set forth. Out process each office like you are supposed to. And do not procrastinate. The last thing you want is to be rushed as you prepare for a significant transition in your life.

Define Your Identity. In conducting my research, I noticed a trend in one of the biggest issues amongst transitioning service members—identity.

Often, people felt they lost themselves after separating. Their identity was wrapped up in the rank and uniform they wore and when it was no longer there, they no longer knew who they were.

From the moment I began questioning whether separation was right, I began focusing on my identity. Our identities are not tied to our jobs. They are not tied to the uniforms we wear and they are not tied to the ranks we hold. The same holds true whether you work in a business or you stay at home. Your identity goes far beyond what you do.

Your identity is tied to your beliefs. What do you believe? What are your values? How does that change your life?

You are not what you do, but what you believe.

Jobs will change but core values should always remain the same.

Accept imperfection. For many, the desire to control every single outcome of our lives is strong.

We want to ensure we have the right job and every single loose end tied up. But truthfully, that may be very difficult.

Recognize that you may not be able to transition straight into your dream job. You may not have the perfect amount of money in the bank. You may not even know what you want to do with your life in five years. That’s all okay.

Save what you can. If you absolutely need to work, find a job that won’t kill your soul until a dream job becomes available.

Bottom Line: Transitioning from the Military, although filled with mixed emotions, Click on image video youtube. doesn’t have too scary. If you prepare forto it,watch you too canonhave a successful transition.

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Breaking Glass Ceilings By: Jennifer Rodriguez

In 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed into law the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, which allowed women to officially serve as permanent members of all branches of the Armed Forces. For the last 73 years, women from all walks of life have been proudly serving our great nation.

Unfortunately, it took 60 years before the Armed Forces promoted a woman to the rank of four-star general. In 2008, only 13 years ago, Ann Dunwoody made history as the first woman in the United States Army and the uniformed service to achieve the rank of four-star general.

Although, I didn’t know it at the time, my position as the first S8—and the first female S8 (staff officer in a brigade—budget officer) in an Infantry Brigade Combat Team in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC would lead me to be influential to a multitude of female enlisted soldiers and officers. I had never worked in a budget position before, so I had to learn my new job quickly, as well as ensure that my commander, peers and subordinates saw me as credible and confident in my abilities.

It wasn’t until more recently in my 18 year military career that female firsts really started to mean something to me.

Previously, I never put much thought into being the first female to accomplish something.

I never felt the desire to break any glass ceilings or barriers. What I didn’t realize is that these female first accomplishments are fuel to entice and motivate more and more females to strive to do the same or better.

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US Army Ret. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody

It wasn’t until a couple years after I left that position that I started to realize the impacts my previous job had on my ability to help other females. The more we discuss our accomplishments, the more confident the women around us become. All these stories of female firsts motivate me to want to push harder and accomplish the same or more. If they can do it, so can the rest of us.

While reading Retired Gen. Dunwoody’s book, A Higher Standard, in the foreword, Sheryl Sandberg talks about how studies have revealed that in the workplace, if a woman is competent, she does not seem nice enough.

Conversely, if a woman is nice, she is considered more nice than competent. This really resonated with me. Far too often females are labeled as bitchy if we talk and act exactly like a male who is labeled as a badass leader.

The more we discuss our accomplishments, the more confident the women around us become.

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I cannot stress this enough to all the females I have discussions with; don’t worry about what others think.

Do the right thing; take the hard right instead of the easy left; be a strong independent woman, be blunt (but tactful); be confident and most importantly—smile. It’s okay to show that you care. One of my former Command Sergeants Major always said “Use things, not people; love people, not things”.

When he said that, I knew I had to adopt it into my life.

In order to do this job, we have to care about people and we have to be there for one another. We are a family, a very unique one, but a family nonetheless. We have to create our own support systems.

I now make it a point to build relationships with other female service members, to maintain the relationships I have already built and to help as many females as I can to accomplish their goals in the military. The more we accomplish, the more we network, the more we will continue to grow professionally and personally.

US Army Lt. Gen. Laura J. Richardson

Many of our male counterparts are seeing us do great things, they are respecting us and they are supporting us in our accomplishments. Gen. Dunwoody never worked for a female, she always had male bosses.

They helped support her through her journey through the ranks to four-star general. We should be cultivating these relationships and learning from the male role models around us as well as from the female role models in order to stay balanced throughout our journeys.

Retired Gen. Dunwoody’s accomplishment has opened the door for many other women in the military; in March 2021 Army Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson and Air Force Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost were nominated for promotion to four-star general and nominated to lead four-star commands.

Two at the same time!

This is such an amazing accomplishment for not only them, but for all females that have, are, or will serve in the military.

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Air Force Gen. Jacqueline D. Van Ovost

We can do anything; the world is at our fingertips.

All we have to do is embrace it, own it and run with it.

I am proud to be a part of such a beautiful thing and I am so proud of all we have accomplished.

We are continuing to move in the right direction.

Eventually, we will stop hearing “so-and-so was the first female to do X”; it will just be the norm to have women in these positions and in certain ranks.

As Sheryl Sandberg wrote in her book, Lean In, “In the future, there will be no female leaders, there will just be leaders.”

We have to keep breaking those glass ceilings and supporting one another. Personally, I think our drive, dedication and compassion coupled with a strong support system is key to success.

I am so proud of all the women of the military— active or veteran.

Thank you for your service, I salute you.

By: Laura Jones

FreedomSisters Magazine

Photo by Senior Airman Ariel Partlow

First off, I want to say how grateful I am for those service women who have fought to change the system to allow mothers to continue to serve after giving birth and beyond.

I have met several women veterans who shared their stories of being involuntarily discharged from military service due to their pregnancy, yet wanted the choice to continue to serve.

I recently learned of a bill (see article) that is pushing for the restoration of benefits to those who were involuntarily discharged. I fully support this bill, and I am forever grateful to our sisters who fought to serve while raising a family.

Serving while motHERing is a concept that many career women have to think about when they want to start a family and military service comes with it’s own set of sacrifices while raising a family.

Military parenting also comes with incredible bonds between other military families and their children.

Recently, I reconnected with a sister vetHERan, Joy, whom I worked with at Lajes Field, Azores —during that assignment we both became pregnant and our due dates were about a month apart. We shared so many great memories of our first pregnancies, as well as the subsequent pregnancies of our growing families.

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She now has four beautiful children —two boys, two girls and I have one boy, one girl—now teens. We kept in contact over the years and shared photos of our families over social media and emails.

When she and her family came to visit, we were excited to meet our kids and share funny stories of pregnancies and stories of our different assignments after we both left Lajes Field. All the kids connected instantly and enjoyed hanging out and playing video and board games while Joy and I shared a bottle of wine and caught up with each other.

The bond we share as women veterans is strengthened in motherhood, and one of the best parts of raising families while serving is the bond between us that transcends the globe. Serving while motHERing, is a unique experience that only military families can understand and respect.

Who else can truly understand the heartache of deploying on (or being deployed over) on Mother’s day-knowing your kids are safe with friends or family who also love them—but never as much as YOU love them!

Military MotHerhood is uniquely painful and joyful at the same time.

Our children also experience wonderful opportunities to build friendships with people all over the world.

Then

Military children are exposed to different cultures, foods and languages, which have incredible impacts in their own lives.

Being stationed at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, our kids (then 4 and 6) were taught Japanese in Kindergarten and we immersed ourselves in the culture learning common phrases (especially our favorite foods) and participating in annual celebrations like Kodomo-no-hi (Children’s Day). They even learned the Japanese version of Rock/Paper/Scissors which is “Jan-Ken-Pon!” Joy’s and my kids shared their favorite memories of the many locations they’ve been stationed, a great learning experience for all!

and

When I broke out the baby pictures of our first-born children, we all shared a good laugh and our eldests learned more about their first few weeks on earth. We even recreated our baby photo!

The best thing about being a military mom is that our kids have a huge family of Auntiesin-arms all over the globe. Our military family extends from blood through the bonds strengthened by service and sacrifice.

MotHERing in the military is a bonding experience that is shared in our sisterhood.

We are the few, the proud, the Military MotHERs. Hoorah!

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Her favorite project to date is the ‘show bird’ for Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21 (HSC-21) Blackjacks, based at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California. The aircraft she nicknamed “Betsy” and it’s designated as the aircraft in the squadron featuring a custom paint job, highlighting symbols of unit pride and tradition. (Courtesy photo)

Makes Her Mark and Inspires Next Generation.

By: Amy Forsythe

One of Shayne Meder’s favorite projects was the Medal of Honor symbol painted on the tail for the U.S. Navy’s Centennial of Naval Aviation in 2011.

Shayne Meder, a retired U.S. Air Force master sergeant from Riverside, Calif., embodies the patriotic and proud spirit of being a vetHERran and continues her service with every new passion project.

“I started doing nose arts in 1987 on B-52’s while stationed at Castle Air Force Base in central California.” Before her retirement in 1994, she was asked to assist the base’s museum and supervise its restoration efforts.

Her career in painting nose and tail art took off when she painted an American flag and Bald Eagle on a B-17 Flying Fortress at March Air Force Base in California. A U.S. Navy commander saw her artwork and asked if she could dress up his show bird.

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Background of ‘Tail Art’ Murals on military aircraft have been around since World War I, when ace fighter pilots marked their birds to tally the number of enemy aircraft or observation balloons destroyed. ‘Nose art’ is a decorative painting or design on the fuselage of an aircraft, usually on the front fuselage.

While begun for practical reasons of identifying friendly units, the practice evolved to express the individuality often constrained by the uniformity of the military, to evoke memories of home and peacetime life, and as a kind of psychological protection against the stresses of war.

Shayne Meder stands with U.S. Marines in the hangar after painting this special tail. The tail paint on this particular Osprey, which features the silhouette of two surfers and an Osprey painted against a brilliant sunset, was inspired by the poster art for The Endless Summer II, the 1994 sequel to the beloved 1966 surfer classic The Endless Summer, according to 1st Lt. Bridget Glynn, a spokeswoman for the III Marine Expeditionary Force.(Courtesy photo) FreedomSisters Magazine

Fly Girl Painter Leaves Her Mark Meder has become known as the “Fly Girl Painter” and has built relationships with the southern California Navy and Marine Corps aviation community and carries on that tradition by painting mascots of the units she works with.

Her work is completely voluntary and she is not compensated by the Department of Defense or the military in any way.

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She has painted dozens of projects ranging from airframe noses, tails, murals on ships and other pieces of equipment.

Her artwork can be seen across the services and includes designs ranging from surfers on the beach, elk, scorpions, charging horses, snarling wolves, jaguars, a Japanese Samurai and dueling six-guns.

The HSC-21 is made up of five expeditionary detachments that deploy aboard ships including Combat Logistics Force support ships, Hospital Ships and Amphibious Assault ships, among others. HSC-21 flies the Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk helicopter.

Emblazoned on Betsy's nose is a waving American flag and a screaming bald eagle.

On the tail are two playing cards, the Jack and Ace of clubs. It’s often used for community engagement events and is a source of pride for the U.S. Navy and San Diego region.

Meder currently works for Aircraft Restoration Services at French Valley Airport in Murrieta, California. The company restores decommissioned military aircraft and other projects.

Wings and Rotors Air Museum, its nonprofit sister organization, educates the public and school groups about military aviation history, particularly the Vietnam era.

Passion Projects Her favorite project to date is the ‘show bird’ for Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21 (HSC-21) Blackjacks, based at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California.

The aircraft is nicknamed “Betsy” and it’s designated as the squadron’s ‘show bird’ featuring a custom paint job, highlighting symbols of unit pride and tradition.

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Meder is married and has two grown kids, both in their 30’s, and an 8-year-old granddaughter.

Her husband, Scott Donnell, who works as senior project manager at University of California Riverside, also helps with the painting projects and says they are a great team.

Military helicopter and aircraft painting is more than just a hobby, but it’s her way of giving back to our military. “I do not get paid to do it, nor do I ask,” she said.

Shayne Meder painted the tail for this ‘show bird’ for Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC25) based at Andersen Air Force Base on Guam. HSC-25, The Island Knights, is a forwarddeployed MH-60S SeaHawk expeditionary helicopter squadron that maintains a 24hour search and rescue and medical evacuation alert posture directly supporting the U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Guam and Joint Region Marianas.

(Photo by Amy Forsythe)

Message to the Next Generation of Troops “My only message is how great our military is, the sacrifice they make, the bravery and danger they are in and that their morale is as important to their mission as the equipment they use,” Meder added.

“I have always loved my country and supporting our military in this way is an honor for me. I tell people I’m a gramma and getting older and slower, but will continue to paint the mil aircraft for as long as I am capable.”

Every Unit Should Have a Show Bird “Not having a ‘show bird’ does affect morale and it shows their pride and teamwork.” Troops are so excited when Meder finishes a project and can hardly wait to show it off and fly it. It’s a priceless reaction and all I ever need or want from them. It’s my way of saying ‘thank you,’ she added.

Meder is known worldwide and gets contacted often from people all over the world who send her photos of aircraft with her designs and model kits are made with decals of her paint jobs.

“The response from people is great, almost always positive, occasionally people think my birds are ‘photoshopped,’ Meder said laughingly.

She occasionally gets the negative person who thinks it’s a waste of money and she has to explain that no federal money is paid for her service.

She says the most memorable responses are always from the young troops who aren’t familiar with her and think she’s a contractor and make ‘big bucks’ doing this. “I enjoy seeing their reaction when they find out I volunteer to do this. They can’t believe it.”

Check out FlyGirl Painter on social media: Instagram: www.instagram.com/flygirlpainter/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/flygirlpainter Website: www.flygirlpainters.com FreedomSisters Magazine

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By: E.V. Moore

It was late morning when I sat down for a Zoom call with Stephanie Gattas, LeadHER of The Pink Berets (TPB).

She graciously agreed to leave our cameras off at my request and in the most societal driven exchange two women could have we quickly apologized for our appearances and schedules before realizing neither of us had anything to apologize for and we shared a good laugh.

Like that, the ice was broken.

Though I’m certain it’s easy for anyone to break the ice with Gattas, her welcoming demeanor draws you in with her easy cadence of speech that demands to be listened to in the most inviting of ways. I knew I was in for a treat.

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Gattas has done countless interviews about how she started TPB but I wanted to start at the beginning of her story—how she came to be a vetHERan. When I asked her this question, she replied in the most humble of ways, “It’s not an all-American story. I just had the desire to serve…”. I don’t know about you but I can’t think of anything more all American than that.

She expanded upon the question, telling me she had a desire to serve from an early age. Serving in the military was not a family tradition and within her generation, she was the first to serve when she joined the U.S. Navy in 1994.

Gattas would find out that both her grandfathers had served with her maternal grandfather even having served in the Navy! She explained that looking back on old photographs, it seemed serendipitous that she was dressed up as a little sailor. I wonder if that little girl knew how many lives she was going to save.

Gattas served from 1994-2002. She worked as a corpsman which she said really prepared her to get out of the service and have a viable career afterward.

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When Gattas left the military, she worked in business development for healthcare, particularly as a liaison between primary care doctors and surgeons that specialize in bariatric surgeries. (Bariatrics is the arm of medicine that deals with care and prevention of obesity.)

It was her position in bariatrics which Gattas credits her empathy skills and understanding how to help others.

She said, “The more you gain in knowledge, the more you understand how you can help people and in what capacity.” Gattas credits being able to start TPB because of attaining this level of empathy.

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importance of conviction in actions and being empathetic toward your fellow service members (male and female) and that “[T]he truth is in your actions.”

For herself, Gattas found that people often carry more weight into their actions if they have a vested interest in helping and serving.

I asked Gattas how often she let people help her and she released a little chuckle. “[I] had to hit a brick wall before realizing that [I] needed help. She was so busy laying the foundation to help others that she forgot to help herself, but what spurred her on was wondering how many other women needed the same help for which she was searching.

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Gattas openly discusses the fact that in 2015 she was searching for help and resources for herself due to PTSD, depression and a panic disorder.

“Everything was geared toward men for PTSD and for resources or help but women had fallen by the wayside,” she explained.

Because of this, she decided to create the space she, herself, needed.

She knew that if she needed this help that there must be others who also needed it—she would create it!

Gattas did create what she needed and more.

The Pink Berets removes one of the most critical barriers to accessing alternative therapy techniques—cost to the participant.

There is no cost to the women who need the services provided by TPB which is likely what helps in their success rates.

This is something that Gattas and her team are looking into further with scientific studies.

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When asked how she defines and contextualizes success in her own life, Gattas said “Money and power can go away. Success is being able to positively change someone’s life or shifting their trajectory for the better.”

This outlook is just one of the many qualities that makes her an amazing leadHER. According to Gattas, when women come to TPB they want to change their lives.

"When women come to The Pink Berets, they want to change their lives" FreedomSisters Magazine

One reason that Gattas was adamant that there be no cost to the participants is that by simply calling to inquire about the services, they are already taking responsibility for their lives and treatment and that is enough good faith to trust they’ll come through the door and use the services being provided for free.

To her, there is no ownership in a woman purchasing her treatment but rather a sense of added financial stress and cyclical oppression which is unjustly geared toward women in our society.

Gattas and I discussed the overarching role of women in our society and came to a consensus that perhaps women being viewed as nurturers within our society fed into the expectation that women vetHERans would simply fix themselves compared to their male counterparts who needed to have support systems and programs.

“If we want to go fast, we go alone. If we want to go far, we go together and look where we have gone!”

This, along with the fact that women were not in combat roles directly following 9/11 but that the public did not understand that women were still very much at war and returning with injuries that both could and could not be seen.

Gattas works day in and day out to destigmatize mental health treatment and reduce the barriers that prove insurmountable for those in need of help.

When asked why she chose to create a nonprofit in a capitalist society and within a branch of medicine that is notoriously expensive, Gattas said, “[I] did not want to create yet another barrier that would prevent women from receiving help.”

She emphasized how important this was to her given the increase of comorbidities due to military sexual trauma.

Whether it is art, photography, equine therapy or another type of class, TPB is welcoming of any female vetHERan. There is no right or wrong to their classes—simply being, creating, doing, healing and shifting from surviving to thriving.

Gattas, in true leadHER fashion, wanted to impress upon me the importance of the volunteers who keep TPB running and how TPB wouldn’t exist or function without its volunteers.

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Gattis' leadHERship philosophy revolves around a well-known “If we want to go fast, we go alone. If we want to go far, we go together and look where we have gone!”.

If you or a vetHERan you know is struggling and in need of therapeutic services, be sure to peruse what TPB offers by way of programs. From traditional cognitive behavioral therapy to alternative therapies (i.e. outdoor retreats, art, equine therapy, etc.) to mother and daughter retreats, there is something for every woman.

Here at Freedom Sisters, we couldn’t be more thankful for trailblazing leadHERs like Stephanie Gattas, who felt the sting of our unmet needs and found the inner fortitude to fill the gap to not only meet her own needs but the needs of countless other vetHERans.

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By: Susanna Keilman

Some of my best deployment memories involve my sisters in arms. Every so often I have a random flashback and before I know it, let out a burst of laughter unaware of my surroundings. From basic training, drill weekend, Balad and back I’ve often thought, this would make such a great movie. I love our brothers in uniform and some of my memories include them as well. I’ve seen just about every militaryaffiliated movie representing our male heroes. What I haven’t seen is the military female represented to the level that she also contributes.

Things are slowly starting to change. As Hollywood becomes more woke to the lack of inclusion of our demographic. Demi Moore, Jennifer Garner and Jessica Chastain are just a few of the leading actresses that have portrayed women in the military. Yet these are all caucasian women and we know we are more diverse than that! In fact, 51% of women veterans are minorities. More documentaries about military culture for women are making headlines and are taking more of an interest in general.

My memories could provide a scene or two for comedic relief, which I think would be surprising to most of my civilian colleagues. When people find out I’m a veteran, one of the first questions asked is if I have PTSD or was sexually harassed. I know this happens but I’m blessed that it never happened to me. Because bad news travels fast and more frequently women in the military are often thought of as victims versus equals.

If you do a quick search for military movies you’ll see the majority of them are male-dominated. Not taking anything away from our brothers but it would be great to see more representation of women warriors on the big screen. I guarantee our brothers would welcome it, find it hilarious and also have compassion for women's experiences too.

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I’ve had the honor of serving with some badass women who don’t want any recognition, some because they fear recognition is based on gender, and some because they are humble warriors. We should all share our good stories with our bad ones.

We need representation for more than just victimization.

On my first deployment, three of us washed our Medical Evacuation bus and drove it back not knowing how much water had got inside.

There was no time to dry it out before our next pick-up, so my wingmen suggested I slam on the brakes to allow the water to go forward out of the front door. So, I did!

Not giving them enough time to brace themselves and they flew upfront along with the water. Laughing as we had to explain to our First Sergeant why we were all soaked upon arrival. Typical Air Force.

Let me be clear, these moments do not take away from your accomplishments! These moments make you more human and relatable. If we want to be seen in life or on the big screen, we need to be authentic. I wish for a good memory to come to the forefront of your mind.

I hope your memory makes you cry happy tears, burst out in laughter or both. More importantly, I hope you share this memory a million times.

If you don’t have any good stories to reflect on, do what you can to make a memory for another female in service. We can still create peace when we haven’t received it and be the catalyst for someone else’s happiness.

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Photos by Staff Sgt. Franklin Ramos Courtesy of Dvidshub

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Wonder Woman the peaceful warrior By: Joanna Sweatt

Growing up as a kid, I was deeply vested in acquiring comic books and reading about superheroes—especially the fem-sheroes.

As a child who suffered mental and physical abuse at the hands of loved ones, the battles between good and evil were always on my brain. I learned compassion quickly during those days.

One shero that stood out to me and one that I imagined becoming on many occasions, was Wonder Woman, who was known as the peaceful warrior.

I had to learn what a peaceful warrior meant in order to understand why that was Wonder Woman’s tagline and in going down that rabbit hole, I realized, it is a fine time to rally and raise more Wonder Women of the world.

Peaceful warriors are known to be honorable, courageous and compassionate human beings who make their difference by having lived and lived well.

Peaceful warriors are also time-tested and pain-sharpened; having gone through hell in order to discover that heaven is actually within.

This resonated with me because in real life, it is the afterlife that we reckon as heaven.

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Peaceful warriors use their wisdom gained through tears and their philosophy gained through laughter and they don’t wield power for the sake of wielding power.

Wonder Woman is in fact a sort of feminist icon; one that doesn’t condemn man, but instead, she explores, learns and finds ways to bridge acceptance and equality for all by her actions.

There are many comparisons that can be made for women servicemembers and their plight for equality and unmitigated acceptance into the U.S. Military with the fictitious story of Wonder Woman.

Princess Diana (WW) came from an island full of only women and is completely detached from man’s world.

Prior to the Women Armed Forces Integration Act in 1948, women were also completely detached from the U.S. Military in any formal capacity.

Wonder Woman was created by psychologist William Moulton Marston and he actually believed that female leadership was necessary in a world that was then drowning in masculine hate and violence during WWII. Marston once proclaimed, “Frankly, Wonder Woman is psychological propaganda for the new type of woman who should, I believe, rule the world.”

Wonder Woman arrived while real American women were not ruling the world but instead assuming more masculine roles in society, as men had gone off to war.

No longer settling for being housewives, excited women took a wide range of physical labor jobs in positions from factory workers to military simulator test pilots, but Wonder Women wholly integrated into the Women’s Army Corps, serving in full capacity with her male counterparts.

Women who served, like Wonder Woman, evolved fast and created a legacy that wasn’t limited by what men had forced women to be.

Women didn’t ask to break barriers; they used the tools they had and jumped into the fight. Wonder Woman's tools mean something in this new modern working women's world.

William Moulton Marston. Photography published in a 1938 advert for Gillette's Blades. // Public Domain.

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Image by Abderrahman Hadd from Pixabay

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The Lasso of Truth. What we do know from any power struggle in history, it is warped in lies and fear-mongering. This lasso represents a time for women to share their truths and embodied experiences. Prior to this era of time, women were expected to be seen and less heard. The role of women was very submissive, and, in that submission, many violent and abusive secrets were kept.

Bracelets of Submission/Victory. The irony is not lost on me.

Submission on a higher level encompasses the ability to not only take control of your charge but to make them realize the err of their ways in that submission and to get them to a cohesive, unified empathetic rule of order that benefits all. That in itself is a more victorious battle than the ones that cost lives, empires, and cultures. Men couldn’t just rule the world, they had to rule home as well and that pressure to survive at the cost of another is just not sustainable. Women would need to find a way to relinquish their thirst for power by equalizing their role in society whether during peacetime or periods of conflict.

Royal Tiara. This adornment serves as a reminder that women have a stake hold in society. They are who breathes life into new life, they nurture and, in that nurturing, derives effective leaders with compassion.

Warrior Suits and Battle Armor. Worn by WW to identify her to her tribe, world and each piece serve a purpose in her battles.

Being suited for battle vs. hidden or sent away with children during times of duress brings distinction to your community.

Seeing WW in her armor helped me rationalize just how important it was for a woman to be prepared, trained and ready for any battle because of cowering means immediate defeat and potential enslavement.

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Martial Weapons and Magical Swords. Her training as a warrior on Paradise Island included a range of fighting styles and tools, and she is capable of fighting with swords, daggers, axes, spears, the bow and arrow, shields, staffs and much more. Her primary magic, to work on invulnerable beings and in our modern world, we understand just how valuable vulnerability is to our healing.

There are many other symbols that surround WW related to her intuition as a woman such as her telekinetic powers through her earrings and with her invisible plane that rounds out her prowess.

Image by prettysleepy1 from Pixabay

Wonder Woman brought herself to the table. She didn’t conform to the ideology of man’s world, she simply showed what she was capable of.

The suffrage of the world is due to terminal conflict —wars for the sake of sole ownership, sole philosophies and sole control.

She didn’t compete with a man or attempt to become a man, but instead, she enhanced man’s world with her talents and different strengths.

Women all over the world have the capacity to change this narrative and it is up to all of us to ensure those women have the opportunities to do so.

Men have long been conditioned to survive whereas women were conditioned to sustain and bridging those things together more cohesively allows for a more fluid world that earns its gains in shared wealth, shared resources, shared cultures and advancement to make heaven on earth.

Why should we live to die for an unknown afterlife when we’ve been gifted an opportunity to live today.

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When Women step into their wonderfulness, we break free of suffrage and contribute how they see fit without the limitations of having to be identical to men in composition but valued for our differences— in both strengths and weaknesses.

As a Wonder Woman, I am committed to meeting that utopia. Where man and woman stand side by side creating heaven on earth.

For the Millions of VetHERans who are ready for HER next mission The FreedomSisters Magazine is a monthly publication for Women Veterans and her supporters that showcases the success stories of women who served, information for vetHERans to walk in their purpose and critical takeaways to inspires change through authentic storytelling.

Today, in America there are over 2M living Women Veterans who long for community, visibility and connection.

VetHERans have been making a lasting difference in national and global communities since the inception of America.

Contact us to share your story today!

Regular Features Her Life HERstory MentHERship FoundHER LeadHER Woman Warrior HighlightHER AcitvateHER Want to share your story?

Contact FSM at: info@freedomsisters.com www.freedomsisters.com

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By: Elis Salamone

M

A Degree vs Certification.

What’s Driving You?

any believe that post service success depends on obtaining a degree or certification to land your dream job. However, research reveals that getting a degree or certificate without intention or with a clear goal is not only a waste of money, but it can also set you back in reaching your goals.

FreedomSisters Magazine

What was your dream growing up? Did you know you wanted to become a nurse, a doctor, a soldier, or an engineer? During Michelle Obama’s book tour for her bestselling book Becoming, she mentioned to Oprah that the question “What do you want to be when you grow up, was the most useless question to ask a child.”

She stated that growing up is not finite and it’s not like at some point you become something and that's the end. So, as you ponder your next goal and whether you should get that degree or certificate, let us ask some reflective questions for you to think about to make the best decision for you.

Education is seen as the epitome of the American dream. Since grade school, many of us were told to get a degree so you will have that dream job and make a great salary. However, in the last 20 years corporate America and today’s workforce have changed dramatically. Many of the most successful business leaders and innovators never even finished college.

Now more than ever it is once again who you know that can be the game changer for getting that dream job or getting your foot in the door at that dream company.

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Can a degree or extra certificate make a difference? Absolutely.

Perhaps as an overall package, but it truly is more about how you brand yourself, your experience, transferable skills and being prepared when the right opportunity presents itself.

How do you tell your story to that prospective recruiter or hiring manager?

Are you a good cultural fit in that company?

Here’s two common things I am told almost daily in my coaching practice when working with Veterans.

“I’m working on my project management certificate” “I’m going to school to get a degree in business” …to which I replied, “What’s your end goal with this certificate or degree?”

Almost 99% of the time there’s a long pause or no clear direction and there lies the problem.

Continuing education and professional development is valuable but if you have no clear goal, you may be wasting valuable time and money.

A professional certificate is often less expensive than a degree with a very intentional and focused curriculum, often self paced with a certifying test at the end of the course work, so you can be certified on that topic.

Nowadays you can get a certificate in everything from diversity and inclusion, social media marketing to leadership.

The certifying bodies could be corporations or well-known universities. For example, a certificate in diversity and inclusion studies from Columbia University is four months long if you do it full time, self paced and costs about $2500.

My questions to you are: What are you hoping to accomplish by getting that certificate?

Is your goal to be a public speaker on that topic?

Will you be seen as a subject matter expert or do you just want to do continuing education for your professional development?

Have you researched other diversity and inclusion experts to see if they have a certificate or do the jobs that you want have this requirement?

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Student loan debt can be a lifelong burden if you are not intentional on what you are trying to accomplish.

Do you really need to attend the big name school with that high tuition to meet your goals?

There are many fields such as health care, engineering and law that do require specialized degrees but is that your career goal? Does the industry that you’re interested in require a certain degree or skill set?

Spending time getting a degree in liberal arts or psychology may be fun and interesting but what value do they add to your goal, future or equity as you build your portfolio?

As you think and reflect on the questions on the next page, you may not have all the answers right now but before you decide on spending your time and money on another class, certificate or degree really reflect on your why before committing to it.

Thoughtful reflection is the first step to making a good investment in your future.

As you plan for your future and create a pathway towards your best life here are some questions you must ask yourself before you begin: What is my income, lifestyle, wealth and equity goals and how is this certificate or degree going to help you?

Will this certificate or degree create a lifetime debt that you will never be able to pay off because the salary potentials are barely a living wage?

Think of your goals/dreams and work backward: you should always be intentional with your educational journey; it should lead to a specific goal: personal or professional development; that dream job or company or for income/promotion goals.

What are your life priorities: Lifestyle? Family? Titles? Prestige? Recognition?

Retirement fund? Travel? Brand building?

Have you researched what you truly need to accomplish that goal? Do you really need that certificate or degree to move forward? Will that certificate or degree pay for itself within the first five years of completion?

Does the investment of money, time and effort make sense?

Are you doing this for yourself or someone else? For example, I went into nursing because of my mother’s insistence that I would always have a job and there are a lot of career options. That said, my dreams were vastly different from my mom's, so even though I followed her advice, I have always had an ambivalent relationship with this chosen career.

Think about your childhood and when were you happiest. Think about high school and remember the things or classes you always looked forward to, these are crumbs of clues that can lead to your true calling/purpose.

When have you felt the most alive professionally or personally?

What excites you to get out of bed in the morning?

What is your ideal or perfect workday? Ideal work environment? For example, do you dream about working in nature or while living abroad?

What is the one thing you would do for free because you love it so much?

How can you capitalize on all your current experience moving forward? Volunteer to learn more about an industry.

Speak to professionals in your area of interest to see where you should invest your time in your learning journey?

What are your non-negotiables?

What does your best life look like? Genuinely think in abundance, write it down and create a pathway to follow.

FIVE MUST-HAVE PLANTS FOR BEGINNERS

By Krista Morris-Tworek

FreedomSisters Magazine

The trend of indoor houseplants actually began in the mid to late 1800s as a way to brighten up a room during long dreary rainy days in England. This past year, the houseplant trend boomed again. Maybe you remember the 1970s, when your parents or grandparents filled the house with indoor plants, mostly herbs and giant tomato plants for cooking.

It later became a common occurrence in the construction industry to maximize energy efficiency and increase fresh air exchange in buildings by using plants in interior design.

You may not be cognizant of it but many building supplies in older homes emit, or “off-gas” harmful chemicals into the environment—some with disease-like symptoms.

In 1989, The National Aeronautic Space Administration (NASA) released its first list of indoor air purifying plants, to reduce chemicals, pathogens, and contamination from the air.

Plants (aka microorganisms) have the ability to adapt, so they can utilize toxic chemicals as a food source when continuously exposed. The follow-up study in 2019, did confirm it would take 93 houseplants to effectively clean the air indoors quickly, but don’t let that deter you (plus you may turn into me and pick up a new one every week)!

So house plants aren’t only an indoor décor trend, they are also full of healing properties. I have found peace with my own mental health journey through the purchase of various houseplants. As VetHERans, many of us look for new and innovative ways to help with Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD), nightmares and overall poor mental health.

Well, there is a plant for that!

Plants have been used for years to keep noise levels down as their leaves can absorb the sound and lead to a more peaceful atmosphere.

Being around plants at home or work can improve your memory and attention span by up to 20%.

If you’re new to being a plant mom and maybe nervous because you have a history of killing everything—I’ve found five of the easiest plants for beginners.

Not only are these excellent air purifiers, some require low light, little to no water and have calming properties.

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Snake Plant (Sanseveria laurentii) My personal favorite is the snake plant because it takes little to no maintenance and actually improves your sleep! Not only is this plant one of the fastest-growing but it is also perfect for a bathroom because it doesn’t require a lot of light. Plus, you only need to water it once a month, since it’s considered part of the succulent family (think cactus). You could literally forget about this guy for a couple of months and he will still be kicking when you come back from that long trip. These plants produce a lot of oxygen and are the best for reducing formaldehyde in your house!

Formaldehyde is commonly found in particleboard and insulation used to build houses and your toilet is a terrible place to find this stuff lingering as well. Any grocery bags, waxed paper, paper towel, and common cleaning agents you use could have traces of this highly reactive chemical. Formaldehyde causes upper respiratory tract issues, including asthma.

So, get rid of it!

Fun fact: Another common name is mother-in-law’s tongue.

Maybe do not tell your mother-in-law you got the plant in HER honor It’s a sharp-looking plant.

Put a snake plant in your bedroom as it releases oxygen at night and lowers humidity, helping you to breathe better and mitigate sleep deprivation.

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Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) Another high producer of oxygen and a great remover of formaldehyde, carbon monoxide and xylene, this guy is another impossible to kill plant. If you are a pet mom, highly recommend this for your first plant as it’s one of the few non-toxic to animals. Use of a good macrame hanger because it is beautiful and prevents cats from knocking it over. In the spring and summer, this guy will grow like crazy and create little off-shoots that look like spiders (hence how it got its name).

You can use these off-shoots to propagate and have even more spider plants floating around the house. This guy likes low light and little water. The biggest mistake people make is over-watering, causing root rot. You will notice the tips start to turn brown as a side-effect. Don’t worry it can be saved! Cut off the brown soggy roots and re-pot in clean soil. It will return to fight another day.

Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum) Another one of NASA’s favorites for reducing pollutants in the air this plant is a serious winner for removing benzene and formaldehyde. Benzene has been known to be carcinogenic for humans, sometimes even leading to leukemia.

Chronic exposure at even low levels can cause inflammation, dizziness, headache, loss of appetite, nervousness and psychological disturbances.

Sounds terrible so why let it linger in your house!

You do want to be careful because it can be poisonous to cats and dogs so put it on a high shelf— out of reach. The Peace Lily likes to stay dry but you will notice the leaves start to wilt and brown if it needs water. Keep it in bright indirect light and water on occasion. The best part is this plant will bloom white flowers even if it does not receive a lot of light. I have one sitting on my nightstand as these plants can also induce sleep. They are perfect for slightly increasing humidity in a room if your house tends to have dry air.

Increasing the humidity can help with dry skin and hair, static electricity and increased defense to the common cold.

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ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) The ZZ Plant is considered a Plant of Steel because it is almost impossible to kill! Originally from East Africa, they love low light and dry environments (water every 3-4 weeks).

Another great one for a dim bedroom or hallway where there are no windows.

They are a little harder to find so can be more expensive up-front, but the return on investment for something that can last you years.

This plant is another NASA recommended air purifier for removing toxins such as xylene, toluene, and benzene. The ZZ Plant has been known to improve cognitive function including thinking, reasoning, attention span, problem-solving and decision making.

Another cool fact this plant can consume carbon dioxide even when the sun is down thanks to its ability to perform crassulacean acid metabolism (a form of photosynthesis).

They are so rich in antioxidants that shamans in the jungles of Ghana have been known to cure stomach ailments with this plant.

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Succulents (sucus) Of course, the most popular and widely known succulent is the Aloe Vera plant. This guy is a great reducer of stress and has beauty and therapeutic benefits. It is a good idea to have one of these in your bathroom for burns and dry skin, even insect bites.

If you experience biophilia (a love for nature) from bringing a few houseplants into your home, you may just be reducing stress, increasing your pain tolerance and getting rid of physical discomfort—All from owning a few plants.

If you want to put a small plant on your office desk—a succulent is a great option because it can survive for weeks without water. They store water in their leaves so you will notice it is time to water again when the leaves get thin. Some Japanese studies have shown that just looking at a plant can help improve mental health at work.

So, find your nearest local nursery or other favorite outdoor store and get yourself a new best friend!

Research has shown people who keep a small plant on a desk while working have lower levels of anxiety and stress at the end of the day. My favorite thing about succulents is they can fit in any container and there are so many options to choose from!

Something as debilitating as PTSD can be alleviated by bringing nature into your life.

Caring for plants requires mindfulness and beautiful spaces are important in our ability to heal.

It’s the easiest addition to your décor. I love those planters that are in the shape of faces, so the succulent looks like “hair.” There are over 1600 variations of succulents including cacti and they all require similar easy care.

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You may be surprised by how your depression lessens and your sleep patterns improve.

My first-born daughter graduates from high school this year. It is such an exciting time full of options and wondering about where life will take her. As she wraps up her final online class, I watch her confidence and independence grow. I often sit on the edge of her bed as she shares with me her weekend plans with friends and we cross check the family calendar to make sure there is a car available for her to use.

My Daughter’s Graduation and God’s Plan By: Jessica Morel

I reflect on my own high school graduation and what I thought my life would be. I had an extremely limited vision for my life when I was 18. I wanted to own a house and maybe be a teacher, but that was about as much as I was able to dream. Today, I give all glory to God that He had a complete vision for my life, for it is more abundant than I could have ever planned.

In Psalm 139:16 we read, “Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began”.

I find so much assurance in this passage not only for my own life, but for my daughter’s life as well. How incredible my sisters that God loves us so much, that He has been with us even before we took shape in our mother’s womb. At the age of 42, I still do not have complete vision for my life, but I can surrender to God and know that He does. The same is certain for my daughter as she ventures out into the world; her steps are already designed.

If you are feeling unsure, stuck or a bit anxious about where you are in life, I invite you to turn your worries over to God in faith. Trust that His plan is far greater than anything we can come up with on our own. Our role is to wake up each morning in gratitude for another day, a prayer to be instruments of God’s love and the courage to walk the path He has already laid out for us.

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"I found a gem of a leadership lesson embedded in each story, and you will too." -Sandy Stosz "An outstanding look inside the challenges faced by women in the military." -Jose Solera "Well-researched, approachable, and most importantly, actionable!" -Sid H.

Stunning Stories that teach

LEADERSHIP

LESSONS

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HONOR, DILIGENCE, SERVICE & LOVE By: Lorraine Cuff

Women were not readily accepted as female and a leader simultaneously unless in certain career fields, such as nursing or administration.

Breaking barriers and being a trailblazer were not accomplished without invisible scars.

During my service, I served with many women that I loved and admired for their courage and strength to be trailblazers.

A good friend and mentor, Chief Master Sergeant Anita Freeman, was the first female to break through the ranks to be promoted to E9 in an Aerial Port Squadron at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey.

Anita served honorably in the Air Force Reserves from 1986 through 2011, breaking ground for others to follow.

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Chief, what made you decide to enlist?

During my younger years enlisting in the military was not on my radar. It was when I discovered that my father served in both the Navy and the Army, and I am not certain which one first, that I was prompted to investigate the array of opportunities the military had to offer.

Geography was a favorite subject of mine and there were times, during my undergraduate studies, that I would find myself twirling the globe looking at different countries that I wanted to visit. My passion for travel, my desire to learn about different cultures, and how they were unique to the U.S. This combination along with the little I knew of my father’s military legacy, prompted me to join the military.

As I explored the Profession of Arms, I thought of how best to serve my country, and master a new craft and finally, how best to follow my passion to learn about different cultures.

After much research, prayer and soul searching, I came to the conclusion enlisting in the armed forces was my best option to be a cultural ambassador. I wanted to have a positive impact beyond my community and beyond my state borders of Pennsylvania. I strongly believed that the Air Force would provide me with the opportunity to travel the world serving my country and share my perspectives and bring back worldly experiences achieved firsthand.

Why the Air Force Reserves and not active duty?

I chose the Air Force Reserve because it would allow me to remain in my civilian career and develop proficiency in both telecommunications and air transportation. There were opportunities to serve in many capacities; active duty, participating in joint exercises with other service members, traveling to many parts of the country as well as overseas. It was an adventure within itself each time taking me away from my civilian employment yet adding to my skill set.

Having served as a reservist I know that employers can be very unforgiving with military members. How was it for you?

Fortunately, my employer was incredibly supportive of my military endeavors. It was their way of serving by allowing me to don the uniform. The majority of my supervisors knew that I was committed to excellence in my work.

When it came time for me to report to duty, whether it was extended weekends, 15 day annual tours, short notice exercise or extended deployments, I was given the time to show up for duty. Only one supervisor comes to mind who was the exception.

She did not quite understand how anyone could put the military and the commitment to serve before everything else, which is what set us apart. That supervisor’s mindset would not allow them to perceive the concept of Honor, Diligence and Service.

What was your level of responsibility in your civilian employment and was there any similarity with your military career?

I was employed as a Financial Budget Analyst with Verizon. And I had to be on point, being responsible for overall financial management and reporting to many lines of business on their budget from New York to Dallas. Verizon’s key focus was on quality and not quantity.

Anything that went wrong would not only affect the bottom line which could impact the business. My military training was the extra skill set that I brought to the plate.

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My Air Force Specialty, initially as a Passenger Service Specialist, helped to round out my skillset in customer service.

The function entailed aircraft specialty training in weights and measurements, configurations, etc.

Becoming acclimated to different personalities, ranks and backgrounds in addition to not letting them affect my disposition was a skill set worth its weight in gold.

Thinking back, is there anything you think you would have done differently?

The only thing I can think of is that I would probably have enlisted at a younger age prior to having my children.

Thanks to the support of my mother, God rest her soul, and a very dependable friend, my two boys, 4 and 8 at the time of my initial enlistment, came out relatively unscathed.

They did not quite understand why I had to be away at times when they were younger, but they greatly appreciated the moments when I was home.

It took them a while to understand why mom was not there for many of their special moments during school and extracurricular events.

Given the experience, I have had and the love and support from close friends and family I know I have been blessed.

Are there any struggles that you would like to share?

The Air Force like any other branch of service has been working to correct its history of discriminatory practices. It is the aspect of human nature that can take roots in what is considered a ‘man’s world’. Everything was okay as long as I did not outshine my male counterparts or take initiative to do things differently or even better. I had my moments when I had to push to get recognized or to get ahead.

The higher up I went in the ranks the taller the barriers seem to present themselves. Information would be held back, and I had to find ways to get the information I needed to perform my job so as not to look foolish. I was careful of the company I would keep and had made up my mind to go it alone if I had to. The popular song ‘Back Stabbers’ by the O’Jays appeared to ring true for me, but I was on a mission to succeed and have always had a willingness to mentor and assist anyone willing to put in the work.

I honestly believe that without exposure beyond our own borders people can become stagnant and the Air Force was a vehicle for me to learn and grow in my endeavors. Just recently I had a conversation with a girlfriend of mine discussing memorable experiences that will always remain with me and I will always treasure.

Becoming a Chief Master Sergeant in the logistics career field has been a great personal accomplishment driven by the desire to increase my knowledge despite all the challenges women can often face in what is often considered to be a man’s world.

What has been most uplifting is making a positive difference in others. It was a blessing to help both airmen and officers through recommendations and creating opportunities for them to set new goals, aspirations and to achieve more for themselves by increasing their skill set. It has always been my passion to leave a place better than you found it for the next generation. When a troop reaches out to me to share their appreciation for the help or guidance they received from me, it fills me with great pride. I volunteer my time as a Peer Leader in training for Women Veterans Network (WoVeN), and a member of the Military Women’s Memorial for over 15 years (ID number 487476).

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I will always look to the core values of “Integrity First, Service Before Self and Excellence In All We Do”. To this day I do the same in my church to encourage young leaders to aim high. And in the words of a famous, strong black female, my Granpe Never let anyone tell you what can't achieve, prove them wrong.

HERicanes is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting female leadership and empowerment through education, collaboration, www.hericanes.org/get-involved support, and mentoring.

LEARN

Empower We believe that a positive team experience, especially through sports, fosters character development and life skills, building powerful and confident girls and women.

Mentor Through a series of speaker events and a cascading mentorship program, our female participants learn resilience, courage, authenticity, and service from inspiring women of all ages and spheres of influence.

Develop

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Our programs are divided into ageappropriate activities: girls 9-12, teenage girls, female collegiate athletes, and female professionals.

It's taco Tuesday and I have my friend Jen and her two daughters over. Sage, a one-year-old is sleeping on my dog’s bed while Jen laughs it off.

Tegan, a four-year-old is looking up at me with big eyes asking me to pick her up. I look at these two young girls and their mom just happy to be in their presence not knowing that within a few weeks their lives would change completely and that this moment would become cherished.

Jen is a Critical Care Nurse and Certified Radiology Nurse working in Interventional Radiology at Madigan Army Medical Center on Joint Base Lewis McChord.

She is prior service active duty and currently a colonel in the US Army Reserves. It wasn’t until she was 47 that she decided to have children and soon gave birth to her first daughter and at 51, her second.

Jen didn’t let her age, marital status or any other societal standards dictate her path or hold her back from her goals. She was in excellent health, exercised regularly and had a radiant presence.

About a month ago, Jen caught a common cold, recovered and went back to her normal routine.

A few short weeks later, Jen felt a numb finger, which eventually radiated to pain in her legs.

Within two days, Jen's legs were giving out—she collapsed several times and eventually could not walk or stand. Shortly after, Jen was transported to the emergency department and admitted to the intensive care unit where she received a diagnosis of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS).

A critical care nurse who has been providing patient care was now the patient. She had to quickly have serious conversations with her doctors and loved ones.

Within 72 hours she could not breathe on her own—placed on a ventilator and intubated.

The disease progressed fast and hard.

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By: Susanna Keilman

Jen quickly deteriorated. As the doctors monitored and provided reports, they indicated they were not happy with her status. With a 47% mortality rate, no one wanted to talk about Jen fitting into those statistics. When visiting her, she was unable to speak though 100% aware of her current battle.

According to the Mayo Clinic, GBS is a rare disorder in which your body's immune system attacks your nerves. The exact cause of GBS is unknown, however about 66% of patients present with symptoms two to six weeks after having a bacterial or viral infection.

Adults in the United States over the age of 50 are at higher risk to contract the disease (CDC) though the chances of actually getting GBS is .00001%.

Jen remains hospitalized, unable to move, eat and breathe on her own. Her body is in a forced state of rest. She will need to relearn how to perform basic functions like brushing her teeth, standing and walking. Though 60-80% of patients with GBS can regain most function within six months, for some it can take up to a year and bring forth associated disorders.

Jen is in extreme discomfort yet receives physical therapy as the first step to making her way back. She recently had a small milestone of feeling sensation on her arms, which is a milestone being celeHERbrated.

It’s easy to get caught up in the doom and gloom of Jen’s prognosis but a Love Army is surrounding her. The common denominator of Jen’s Army?

Mostly veterans or military-affiliated civilians.

The unspoken bond is an indescribable limitless commitment to your comrade. This Love Army ensures that Jen’s visitors are scheduled, she is read to, music is played and proper care is rendered.

They are working with her reserve unit, her civilian leadership and raising funds to ensure her girls’ living expenses are covered until she wins this battle.

This Army is serving as a physical extension of what Jen would be doing. Her girls are being loved, her bills are being paid, their future is being planned. The Love Army mission is to take care of Jen’s life so that she can continue to fight for it.

Join the Love Army. Donate here.

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Highlight Read Encounter the fullness of God’s grace, the power of His promises, and the beauty of His faithfulness—all through the life of one woman: Esther.

In Summoned, you’ll enter the story of Esther—her calling, pain, and role in God’s ultimate plan for salvation—and see how God is always working in the lives of His people, even when He seems distant.

Through this 8-week, interactive study, you’ll develop a deeper appreciation for God’s Word and begin to see that stepping out in faith for His glory is often the first step to encountering His redeeming love— and we are here for it!

Podcast The Women with an Effed Up Mind podcast is unfiltered and full of passion, to make things happen. They're a place for women & men, to be able to speak their stories without judgment, “highlighted,” or worry about repercussions in the military.

When it comes to sexual assault, harassment, lack of mental health help and domestic violence in the military, this podcast is not just bringing awareness, they're doing the d*mn thing.

The show is full of the good, the bad and the ugly. A safe haven—to be heard and be goofy too.

Listen here

https://linktr.ee/ItsEffedUp

MEAN GIRLS ad u q S

New Show coming soon!

Blunt conversations with senior female leaders about service and sacrafice.

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We hope you have enjoyed this issue of the Freedom Sisters Magazine. We like to give you a few takeaways each month so you can activate your life and be the best version of yourself. Here are the ways this month we want to see you soar and make sure you have a little fun along the way!

There are so many reasons that women serve...tell us why you served and win some Freedom Sisters Swag! #whyIserved

Be kind to yourself.

Look at the woman in the mirror and give yourself a kind affirmation.

If you become a plant mom this month, take a photo and tag us on Instagram! #plantmom

Use the checklist on pg 56 to help decide if you need a degree or a certification as you prep for your

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future!

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