The amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) held its second annual woman’s leadership symposium, March 10.
The two-hour symposium afforded Sailors and Marines the chance to ask female officers and senior enlisted leadership personal and professional questions.
Peleliu’s Commanding Officer Capt. John D. Deehr said the symposium would hopefully open some doors for the junior Sailors and they could form some type of mentorship avenue with officers and senior enlisted leaders.
During the symposium, two focus groups discussed topics like being a woman in the military, being an effective leader, and advice in converting from enlisted to officer.
“It’s not the uniform and not the rank that makes a leader. It’s the example that you set,” said Marine Capt. Janine Mills. “Setting an example has always been my number one priority as a leader.”
Senior Chief Career Counselor Susan Garrow, symposium coordinator, shared briefly about the response from those that attended.
“I’ve spoken to over 15 women who attended and all said the impact was positive,” said Garrow. “They were all happy to have an opportunity to network as well as ask questions to the officers and senior enlisted about challenges they face as military women and all look forward to another symposium.”
Modeled after the Women’s Symposium started in Washington, D.C., this version continues to grow every year and encourages women to collaborate and enhance their contributions to their profession.
Peleliu is the flagship for the Peleliu Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, March 18, 2013