Luncheon celebrates women’s heritage

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tiffany Colburn
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  More than 100 Warriors of the North gathered at the Northern Lights Club March 18 for the annual women's heritage luncheon.

This year's luncheon featured a theme of 'strength through heritage', hosted by the 319th Operations Support Squadron, and featured a speech given by Brig. Gen. Barbara Faulkenberry, Air Mobility Command's Deputy Director of Strategic Plans, Requirements, and Programs.

General Faulkenberry was previously stationed at Grand Forks, AFB where she served as an operations group chief of standardization and evaluation, a squadron operations officer, a squadron commander and as the 319th Operations Group deputy commander.

"I have a lot of respect for the Warriors of the North," said General Faulkenberry. "I learned so much as a leader [while being stationed here] and I can see the spirit is still alive in the young Airmen I see."

General Faulkenberry spoke about past women leaders, the obstacles they faced and how diversity is an important aspect in everyone's life.

"I believe the power of America comes from realizing the attributes of its citizens," she said.

General Faulkenberry emphasized seizing the day and how we should learn from each other. She also spoke about how women have served alongside men in any way they could throughout history.

At the conclusion of the speech she left the audience with four challenges; "expand your network, pass your knowledge on, fully live the power of diversity and seize the day."

Women's history month means something different to each individual.

According to General Faulkenberry, there is so much to learn and a lot has changed throughout the years. It is important to understand how far we have come.

Women's history month began in Sonoma County, California in 1978. At first, it was selected to be the week including March 8; however, in 1987 Congress decided to expand the week and make March women's history month.