Learning, listening and trust were underlying messages as the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command celebrated Women's History Month during a panel discussion hosted by MG Gwen Bingham, commanding general, March 25 at the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, Mich.
"Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives" was the theme of the discussion among six panelists who, individually and collectively, gave accounts of their lives, talk about the choices they made and encouraged young women to think larger and bolder.
In just one extraordinary morning, the panel discussion featured six incredible women leaders who have broken down barriers and created new opportunities in diverse fields from the world of government, business, and non-profits - each offering candid stories about their experiences along the way to the top, as well as practical knowledge, innovative ideas, and principles of success for women on their own professional paths.
General Bingham welcomed the standing room only crowd by putting her own personal spin on what Women's History Month means to her. The general said, "for me, personally, it is about ordinary people who have accomplished extraordinary achievements -- like many of you, I think of my mother, sisters, aunts, teammates, battle buddies and plain old "girlfriends". These women have taught, trained, coached, mentored, encouraged and inspired and inspired us to step outside our own comfort zones and dare to dream -- and dream big. She then turned to group and thanked them for their support and leadership.
Leading the group of panelists was the Honorable Katherine Hammack, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment. She spoke candidly to the full house audience about the importance of having a diversity of jobs and experience in developing oneself for roles of leadership. "Try something new, learn something new and see where it takes you, she said."
Another panelist was Dr. Jennifer Hitchcock, Executive Director for Research, Technology and Integration for the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center. Hitchcock said she never planned to be in a leadership role while growing up (although her mother said she was always being the leader). She says that one should never stop learning and growing.
Sonya Sepahban, Senior Vice President, Engineering Development and Technology for General Dynamics Land Systems, said she subscribed to a situational leadership style. "You need to be flexible, she told the group. "You need to be able to adapt in order to help others be what they can be." She is the first female to be appointed to a senior executive position in the history of the company.
Angela Reyes, Executive Director and Founder of the Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation. She is known for her expertise in critical policy issues that impact not only Southwest Detroit neighborhoods, but common issues facing other urban areas. Sharing her experiences, Reyes offered that it is often parents who first teach leadership. She says that leaders must hold themselves to a higher standard because people are watching. Her final advice to the group is, "In order for people to allow you to lead, they have to trust you. You have to listen to them."
Dr. Haifa Fakhouri is the president and Chief Executive Officer for the Arab American and Chaldean Council. Echoing the sentiments of the other panel members, Fakhouri spoke about her struggle to provide a safe environment for Arab refugees coming to Detroit. "I would fly back and forth from Jordan to the U.S, when I worked for the United Nations, because I was determined to create an organization that would address the needs of the hundreds of Arabs coming to Detroit."
Deidre Lambert-Bounds, Chief Operating Officer for Ignite Social Media says that she just "fell into her leadership role." Saying that she "was a local girl who grew up in Detroit," Lambert-Bounds shared that she believed leadership is about building and sustaining relationships. Getting along with people and caring about people. Trust your people to do what they do best.
Whether they fell into the role, aspired to it as a young girl or found their voice with the help of a parent, mentor or sponsor -- each panel member was able to achieve a measure of success because they took risks, worked well with others and were willing to give back, which as the Honorable Hammack stated, at the end of the discussion, is really what it's all about. Hammack closed the session with a bible version saying "to those whom much is given, much is expected."
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