FORT BENNING, Ga., (March 30 2016) -- Angie Spates, chief of Police in Lanett, Alabama, stressed the importance of breaking through discriminatory ceilings in a speech given March 24 at the Maneuver Center of Excellence.
She was invited to speak in observance of Women's History Month. This year's theme is "Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government."
Spates is the first female officer in Lanett Police Department history to graduate from the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. She did so in December. She is also the first female to be named chief of Police in Lanett, Alabama.
She was chosen to speak because of the efforts she took to become a police chief, her accomplishments, and her career. She is also someone who works outside of the military, said Master Sgt. Charlie Carrasco, a senior Equal Opportunity advisor on Fort Benning.
"We wanted to bring in a different perspective from an outside entity so that they could provide us with some insights about their experiences," Carrasco said.
"We need to understand what women are facing outside the military as well. Because it's not just a fight within the military, it's a fight within every job that is out there," he added.
Carrasco explained that in order for the Army to continue moving forward there must be diversity in the ranks.
"Diversity is the strength of our Army. They're still glass ceilings to be broken out there. In the military we are forging new initiatives and new policies to integrate women within every occupation and specialty," he said.
During her speech, Spates cited the discrimination she was faced with while on the job in earlier days.
"I've had to deal with being called a 'token'," she said.
Spates added that she was often expected to fetch coffee or write a report instead of be out in the field. Despite all of this, Spates stood her ground and did not leave the force.
"I've worked hard over 25 years to make everyone aware that I'm here. I'm not going anywhere," she said.
"There have been times where I had to stand my ground. Sometimes I stood alone and that's ok. Because I stood anyway, I wasn't going to be overlooked," she added.
Spates also spoke to the importance of showcasing compassion. Often women are described as being emotional or passionate, she explained.
"Being female is not a handicap. You need to have compassion in your life. You need to have compassion for other people," she said.
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