Leading Into the 21st Century Major General Irene Trowell-Harris, RN, Ed.D.

It's hard to imagine this elegant, energetic woman, now clad in a royal purple business suit, as a child hunched over rows of cotton plants. Sitting in her well-ordered office at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the walls are covered with framed accolades including a master's degree from Yale and doctorate from Columbia University. You have to imagine another time and place to see her with ten brothers and sisters, tending chickens and vegetables on a small farm in Aiken, S.C. As the director of the Center for Women Veterans, Irene Trowell-Harris, R.N., Ed.D, is the primary advisor to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on programs and issues concerning women veterans, currently numbering 1.7 million. She served 38 years in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, retiring in 2001 as a Major General. She is a longtime member of BPW/USA, and serves on the Advisory Council supporting the Women Joining Forces: Closing Ranks, Opening Doors (WJF) initiative. Launched in October 2005, WJF assists women veterans transitioning into the civilian workforce by connecting them to BPW/USA's network, benefits and professional resources.

Inspiration

Bent over in the hot sun, she heard airplanes fly overhead and imagined herself somewhere else. She told her brothers and sisters that she wanted to work and teach on those planes. Back then, they all laughed-it was an unimaginable dream for a little black girl. Her parents Frank and Irene led the typical farm life of the rural poor- Dr. Trowell-Harris remembers going to town in a mule drawn wagon and visiting with the nurse working for the local dentist. The nurse recognized her intelligence and encouraged her to stay in school and consider nursing. In a way, Dr. Trowell-Harris' future success was the fulfillment of her own mother's dream. Though her mother only attended school through the 6th grade, her secret ambition was to be a nurse and that was the path her daughter followed. Her motherly advice kept Dr. Trowell-Harris centered and focused. "Keep in mind that you can do anything you want to do. If you want to be successful, stay in church and stay in school."

Dr. Trowell-Harris was also deeply affected by her sibling Lewis, who was born blind and suffered from cerebral palsy. He could not walk or talk and without institutional care, the whole family cared for him until his death at age 29. Dr. Trowell-Harris thought it would be good for the family to have someone with a health care education. As a black female in the mid 1950's her occupational choices beyond domestic work were limited to three choices - secretary, teacher or nurse. But, what she really wanted was those silver wings!

Education: The Key to Success

Becoming a nurse might have been a practical career choice, but Dr. Trowell-Harris still saw herself in the sky in a plane, like the ones she followed as a child. "I wanted wings. I saw accomplishing that and other things as not just for me personally, but for my family, my community, my church, my state and my country. I wanted to do something. I knew then, with ten brothers and sisters, that if I got through college, I could help them get through."

She went to school at the Columbia School of Nursing in South Carolina. Ultimately she joined the Air National Guard, and "When I walked up on the stage at the Aerospace School of Medicine and put on those beautiful silver wings that was the proudest moment of my life." Once she had her wings, her assignments took her to Germany, England, Spain, Italy, Philippines, and Puerto Rico, eventually becoming a flight instructor and flight examiner.

"I did not see myself as a pioneer even though I had dreams and I wanted to do something different and unusual. I wanted to lay a path or a bridge for others. People tell me I can't do something; watch out- because I'm going to do it. That just inspires me."

21 Leaders for the 21st Century

Her most recent award as one of Women E-News' '21 Leaders for the 21st Century' is one that acknowledges her contributions leading the VA's Center for Women Veterans. Nominated for the award by BPW/USA, Dr. Trowell-Harris is pleased because the award spotlights the needs of women veterans and what can be done to improve their lives.

This year's winners embody three categories of leadership; 'Seven Who Hear the Voices of Women in Need'; 'Seven with Gifts that Transmit Power'; and Dr. Trowell-Harris' group, 'Seven Who Construct New Realities.' She is honored with the likes of Ellen Malcom, political fundraiser and founder of EMILY's List; Josette Perard, Haitian activist co-founder of the Lambi Fund of Haiti in Port au Prince, a nonprofit created to help poor women create economically and environmentally sustainable communities throughout Haiti; and Cindy Hounsell, a leading advocate for women's financial and retirement issues and a long time BPW/USA member. Hounsell, founder of the Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER), is recognized as 'Seven with Gifts that Transmit Power'. The institute is dedicated to improving the long term financial security of all women through education and advocacy.

Women Joining Forces: Closing Ranks, Opening Doors

The Women Joining Forces: Closing Ranks, Opening Doors (WJF) initiative of BPW/USA is one of the partnerships the VA's Center for Women Veterans is counting on to help women make the transition from military to civilian life. "So all these things BPW can do can really help us help these veterans. Right now there's a little over 2,000 women still serving overseas and in this country, so there are going to be a lot of women coming out who are going to need help. With BPW having all these chapters nationally, it is a perfect forum, perfect location and opportunity to help women everywhere," said Dr. Trowell-Harris.

One of the concerns women veterans have when leaving the service is finding employment. The longer a woman's service, the more challenges she faces entering the job market. "They have more difficulty adjusting to the civilian community because of the different structure. You wear the same beautiful blue or green uniform everyday; you don't have to worry about dressing up."

The vision for WJF literally came from the top levels of BPW/USA's leadership. Roslyn Ridgeway, national president and trustee for the BPW Foundation wanted the organization to build a program that set a new standard for non-profit/public partnerships. A dedicated committee conducted thorough research on the assistance and opportunities available to transitioning women veterans and realized there was a need. "We realized that BPW/USA was uniquely chartered to fulfill that need with an existing network and a history of workingwomen helping one another," said Ridgeway. BPW is the only non-governmental organization that has a program and is working to serve women veterans.

BPW/USA offers women veterans a way to build a bridge to the civilian community. The national network of women can offer mentoring and help women with leadership training and socialization. Veterans need help with dressing for success, resume writing, interviewing and networking and mentoring. Women Joining Forces uses the power of BPW/USA's 20,000 members and 1,300 local organizations in 54 states and territories to create a built-in support system for veterans. Information for members, veterans and the press is available at www.womenjoiningforces.org. The national program offers waived introductory membership to women exiting the armed forces in 2006 and reduced introductory rates for all women veterans. BPW/USA is pursing corporate partnerships to expand the program and Lifetime Television is the lead media partner. The program was launched in October 2005 and to date eight chapters have received women veterans. As members they have full access to benefits such as individual development training, leadership and networking opportunities, peer mentoring, and continuing education scholarships.

Ridgeway believes that every member needs to develop a personal passion for WJF and what they can do individually to support veterans. "The most important thing BPW can offer is mentorship -- communication, information and bonding with other women. Organizationally, BPW can offer a formal mentoring process. Individually, members just need to let veterans know that we are here to help."

"This is not just one-year initiative, this is multi-year program. The vision we have for WJF is to develop partnerships with organizations and corporations interested in a long-term commitment," said Ridgeway.

WJF State and Local Action

A key component to raising awareness about WJF lies in local and state leadership. Cindy Heflin, a 14-year member of BPW, embraced the WJF program immediately and created outreach opportunities for veterans through a job fair last fall on Scott Air Force base in Fairview Heights, Mo. She is the director of Regional Quality Assurance Programs for SRA International, an IT consulting firm working closely with the military. Heflin knew the base would be separating a segment of service people, 40 percent of which are women. A strong believer in the power of BPW's State Federations, Heflin included BPW/MO president, Sue Panetti-Lee, in the effort, further strengthening the BPW presence at the job fair. The fair had 75 corporate and government service booths and drew over 300 men and women. Heflin estimates that half the attendees were women.

"We aren't just working for our own state," said Heflin. "The women who are on this base won't necessarily stay here. What I wanted the women to know was that (BPW) is a network the U.S. of women helping women."

Volunteers handed out over 150 applications for BPW/USA membership and were pleased to even see men picking up brochures for their wives, girlfriends and family members. Heflin even received calls from 14 veterans after the fair. One woman joined Heflin at her own local meeting that same evening and though she was not a veteran, elected to become a BPW/USA member.

Although Heflin has professional experience working with the military, that is necessary for locals and members to support WJF. "Ask a friend, sister, aunt, or mother. All you have to do is find someone in your family who is in the military. Talk to the men you know. They have contacts and start a care package or communication trail with a woman who is overseas or stateside. Send them a (BPW/USA) newsletter. All they need to do is let the women know that BPW is here and the member can be a conduit."

She sees a clear connection between what BPW/USA offers and what veterans need most. BPW/USA has a multi-generational membership of women who mentor and collaborate through leadership and programming. "They need that network. The vets with two or three years of service are like Young Careerists, they are looking for a mentor-protégée program. The older ones want to feel comfortable with the transition into the civilian environment. [Their needs] cross the spectrum and that matches the spectrum of BPW women. This is where we get the opportunity to sell the ID program." The Individual Development (ID) Program is BPW/USA's seminar series for personal and professional leadership development.

Leadership Advice

Dr. Trowell-Harris has a leadership philosophy that focuses on knowledge sharing and participatory management, a style used by many women leaders. "They know I will always ask their opinion, and they have some very creative and unique ideas. And most of the time I use their ideas. I can't think of everything, I don't know everything, but I make the decisions, there's no problem with that. They also know that as they do good work I will reward them with a day off or an award based on the performance measures."

As in her own life, continuing education is also a priority. "No matter what grade they are, I always offer seminars and education because I think everybody should aspire to moving up and getting a promotion. I am going to ask 'Where are you now? Are you happy where you are? Where would you like to go? and How can I help you get there?'"

Dr. Trowell-Harris is a political appointee and looks forward to the end of her term. "I want people to be mentored to take my position. I want them to know everything I know and more. There are a lot of bright women (and men) out there who can take over and do something exceptional."

For more information on BPW and Women Joining Forces go to www.bpwusa.org.

Resources

www.womenjoiningforces.org
Connect-a-Vet Resources - BPW web links to organizations and programs supporting veterans.

www1.va.gov/womenvet
Center for Women Veterans - The official government site outlining benefits for women veterans.

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