SERVED: Military Women's Stories Melissa Ritz

In this episode, I’m joined by special guest Mary Tamura and her daughter Barbara. Mary, a Nisei, or second generation born Japanese-American, shares her family’s experiences of being forcibly removed from their home in Southern California, transported, and incarcerated in Arizona’s Gila Japanese-American Relocation Camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Facing racial prejudice and oppression, Mary and her family’s deep sense of faith, family and community carried them through years of uncertainty. Mary’s decision to take advantage of a new federal program - the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps - changed the trajectory of her life. Mary reflects on her historical journey with grace and resolve. She's joined by her daughter Barbara, who shares how she learned of her family’s history, and how that’s shaped her own life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOTXPFfU9zU

Entrepreneur extraordinaire Amanda Huffman's podcast WOMEN OF THE MILITARY has 144 episodes to date! Amanda shares her story of commissioning into the Air Force as a Civil Engineer, deploying to Afghanistan, life with a military husband, and embracing the transition from active duty to diaper duty. Amanda also talks about post-deployment trauma, reaching out for help and being dismissed by a mental health counselor, and later finding support with the Cohen Veterans Network and Celebrate Recovery. Visit Amanda's website and podcast at Women of the Military Podcast AirmanToMom.com  CelebrateRecovery.com CohenVeteransNetwork.com

Lachrisha Parker shares a variety of experiences from her 28 years of service. From her unique family connection into the military, to finding balance in a blended family with her military husband, Lachrisa embraced the challenges and rewards of the familiar Army slogan “BE ALL YOU CAN BE”. Lachrisha’s continuation of service extended to her participation in Ms. Veteran America 2019 - which raises awareness and financial support for homeless female veterans. Lachrisha currently serves as the Community Engagement Manager for the Military Women’s Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. https://womensmemorial.org/index.php/make-herstory/

Tracy, a veterinarian and epidemiologist, shares her experiences as a Public Health officer in the Air Force and as a civilian specialist at Scott Air Force base in Illinois. From prepping for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002, to the Covid pandemic in 2020 and 2021, Tracy emphasizes the importance of preparation, education and communication during uncertain times. Tracy also shares her personal experience with being involuntarily separated from the military - honorably - and how she redefined herself and her career out of uniform. 
 

Dawn shares her Air Force journey from Florida, to Belgium, to The Pentagon, with a non-traditional deployment to France to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dawn shares her experiences as a whistleblower, having reporter her former government agency employer to the Office of Special Counsel and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for prohibited personnel practices and retaliation. She created Dawn Westmoreland Consulting LLC, which educates employees and employers on Workplace Bullying & Discrimination, and Safe and Respectful Workplace Environment Practices.
https://www.workplacebullyingsupport.com

West Point alumna Harlene Coutteau, (Class of '82) and Chuck Hunsaker, coach & author of ANGELS IN COMBAT BOOTS, share their experiences with overcoming obstacles while ushering in the first women’s cross-country team at the United States Military Academy at West Point. The women's team became Eastern Champions, finished in the nation's Top 10 twice, and became the first Army women's team to BEAT NAVY! Buy the book here!