As part of William Beaumont Army Medical Center's Partners in Education program, a special guest was invited to speak to students at Terrace Hills Middle School as part of March's Women's History Month experience, March 27.
Former WBAMC commander and retired Maj. Gen. Carla Hawley-Bowland, spoke to the students in efforts to inspire the students to keep dreaming big and never give up.
"It's important to get (students) excited about dreaming and getting to where they want to be instead of accepting the status quo," said Hawley-Bowland, an obstetrician/gynecologist. "They can go after anything, there's always a path to get there. They just have to sometimes be willing to change paths but they can get there."
Shortly after serving as WBAMC's commander from 2000-2002, Hawley-Bowland was nominated to become the first female Medical Corps general officer in the U.S. Army. Retiring in 2011, Hawley-Bowland's impressive résumé includes 32 years of service with roles ranging from hospital commander to being the last commanding general and only female to command Walter Reed Army Medical Center before casing its colors and merging with the National Naval Medical Center to become Walter Reed National Military Medical in 2011.
"A glass ceiling was broken," said Sgt. Stetson Proctor, senior advisor for the WBAMC Junior Enlisted Council, the WBAMC group which coordinates most PIE engagement. "She paved the way for future leaders."
As a commander, Hawley-Bowland opened opportunities for female Soldiers as evidenced through her Soldiers' success to include U.S. Army Surgeon Generals, retired Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho and current Surgeon General, Lt. Gen. Nadja West, both of whom served under Hawley-Bowland.
During her presentation, Hawley-Bowland shared stories of growing up in Wyoming, working in a male-dominate industry and overcoming obstacles by working outside her comfort zone and pushing beyond the norm.
"I knew I wanted something in science, it wasn't anything specific but I was good at science and math," shared Hawley-Bowland. "As I went forward, I kept narrowing it down and down and when I got to college and began working at the hospital, I knew what it was that I wanted to do."
Today, Hawley-Bowland continues to teach OB-GYN at various institutions and is a medical volunteer at WBAMC's OB-GYN.
"(Hawley-Bowland's story) shows our young future leaders that anything is possible," said Proctor. "Hopefully these students understand the great things she's accomplished and know that they can do it too."
The presentation ended with intrigued students firing questions at the former Medical Corps chief regarding her experiences and opportunities.
"Never give up on your dreams and be willing to change," said Hawley-Bowland. "Never give up."
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