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The Flagpole Newsletter
Edition 88| September 2023
The U.S. Army Women's Foundation
Honor ~ Empower ~ Connect
National Hispanic
Heritage Observance
National Hispanic Heritage Observance, Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, marks a time to showcase and honor the many contributions Hispanic Americans have made to the Defense Department and the nation. The U.S. Army values the contributions of American Soldiers with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Hispanic Americans have not hesitated to defend and show their allegiance to this nation in many ways, but especially through military service. The Army and the U.S. draw strength from the diversity of America's melting pot.
Honoring
COL Debra (Lopez) Fix, US Army, Retired
In celebration of Hispanic History Month, we are honored to highlight the history, heritage, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans who have served in our nation's defense. We honor and celebrate COL Debra (Lopez) Fix from Elgin, Texas. COL Fix entered the United States Military Academy at West Point in the second class to be integrated with women. In 1981, she made history by being the first Hispanic woman to graduate from the Academy. She served a distinguished 30-year active duty career in a variety of challenging leadership assignments.
While serving at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001, Fix's team took the brunt of the terrorist attack that killed 26 of her comrades. Wounded in the attack, she earned the Purple Heart and was credited by a fellow lieutenant colonel with saving that officer's life. After September 11, the Army promoted her to colonel, and she held leadership positions in the Department of the Army.
COL Fix's family has a history of military service. In addition to her husband, who served three combat tours and retired as a colonel, both sons, now majors, served a total of six combat tours in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Her oldest son is a member of the United States Army Reserve, and her youngest is serving on active duty in Germany.
 Leadership Symposium
"Be All You Can Be"

Keynote Speakers

Colonel Clydea Prichard-Brown
United States Army
Chief of Staff, 1st Theater Support Command

and

Colonel Clydellia Prichard-Allen
United States Army
Executive Officer, HQDA, G9
Panel Discussion
"The Limitless Possibilities for Army Women –
Be All That You Can Be"

Moderator
CW5 Phyllis Wilson
United States Army, Retired
President, Military Women's Memorial

Panelists
 CW5 Yolondria Dixon-Carter
Senior Warrant Officer Advisor to the Chief of Staff of the Army

MAJ Sidney Jaques
 HQDA G1, Chief, Operations and Plans
Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army 

 CSM JoAnn Naumann 
 Command Sergeant Major
United States Army Special Operations Command
   
 CSM Tonya Sims
 Former Command Sergeant Major
82nd Sustainment Brigade
82nd Airborne Division 
 
Attendance at the AUSA annual meeting is free, but registration is required. Click the link to sign up.
See You There!
In Case You Missed It
Army Renames Virginia Fort After
Dr. Mary Walker
An undated photo of Dr. Mary E. Walker. (Library of Congress)
Last month, on August 25, 2023, the Army renamed Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia, to Fort Walker in honor of Dr. Mary E. Walker— the Army's first female surgeon and only woman Medal of Honor recipient. Dr. Mary E. Walker was recognized for her selfless acts of courage and dedication in treating wounded Union soldiers at field hospitals throughout the Civil War.
Fort Walker is a regional collective training center located near Bowling Green, Virginia. Fort Walker focuses on arms training and is used by all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Maui Wildfire Response
Army SGT. Louisse Jem Sinang, a petroleum specialist assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, returns a fuel line to a heavy expandable mobile tactical truck in Maui, Hawaii, Aug. 23, 2023. The 25th Infantry Division is supporting the Army Corps of Engineers Planning Power and Response Team's emergency response mission to the Hawaii wildfires in Maui. (Photo: Brannen Parrish)
Low Crawl
Army SGT Emily E. Green participates in the U.S. Army Reserve Best Squad Competition at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Sept. 5, 2023.
(Photo: US Army)
Exceptional Army Leaders; Trailblazers and FMMP Co-Founders
COL Clydea Prichard-Brown, Chief of Staff, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, stands beside her sister and battle buddy COL Clydellia Prichard-Allen, Executive Officer to the Headquarters Department of the Army G-9, at the Pentagon. COL Prichard-Brown and COL Prichard-Allen are the Co-Founders of the Female Mentoring and Morale Program (FMMP). FMMP is a platform to provide mentorship, personal and professional development, and fellowship to male and female commissioned officers, warrant officers, NCOs, junior enlisted Soldiers, cadets, and civilians with a focus on strengthening the military and civilian women through virtual and in-person coaching, mentoring, and networking. Both sisters serve on the U.S. Army Women's Foundation Board of Directors. (Photo: Courtesy of Family) 
Thank you to our Sponsor
Thank you to our Corporate Sponsor FLUOR! Your commitment to us is essential to fulfilling the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation mission. We are very grateful for your support in recognizing the value of all servicemembers.

Fluor sponsors organizations in communities around the world through their foundation. Fluor's giving programs focus support on organizations around the world where the company has a presence. They also support the military community by providing meaningful, challenging career opportunities where military skills and experience may be a perfect fit.
U.S. Army Women's Foundation | (804) 734-3078 | info@awfdn.org | awfdn.org