The Powerful U.S. Marine Corps Female was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, 23-year veteran
Power of Being Female: “I don’t know if I even see male or female power, I just see power is what you create and embrace. However, I love having the ability to inspire women to achieve success by my own example. I have never in my life thought I couldn’t do something or achieve a goal because I am a female.”
Biggest Inspiration: “My mother. She always supported me in all my dreams and aspirations. Whatever I wanted to do, she always supported me without any doubt or hesitation. Even though my mother has passed, she is still my motivation daily to go after my dreams and to continue to make her proud in every way.
On Beauty: “The key to looking and feeling fabulous is to always smile no matter what. Sometimes that smile may have to be on the inside depending on the situation, but still, smile. I find that if I smile things seem bearable. I also keep the mindset ‘it could be worse.’ I never go anywhere without lipstick or lip-gloss! It just makes me feel put together with little effort. ”
On the Power of Being Female: What does the power of being a female mean to me? I don’t know if I even see male or female power, I just see power is what you create and embrace. However, I love having the ability to inspire women to achieve success by my own example. I have never in my life thought I couldn’t do something or achieve a goal because I am a female. I just set my mind to something and go get it.
Biggest Takeaway from Serving: “My biggest takeaway from serving is being able to put on my uniform each day and know that I am making a difference in the world. I am serving a bigger purpose. As Ronald Regan said “Some people wonder all their lives if they’ve made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem.”
Branch: United States Marine Corps *Years Served: 23 *Rank: Sergeant Major *Military Occupation: Sergeant Major previous MOS was Disbursing (Accounting and Finance) *Tours Served and Locations: Camp Pendleton CA Parris Island SC Camp Lejeune NC Quantico VA Al Taqaddum, Iraq Camp Dwyer, Afghanistan
Most rewarding, memorable experience in service: “My most rewarding time as a Marine would have to be my tour on the drill field. Having the opportunity to make civilians into United States Marines. In addition, I made life-long friends there. That was by far my hardest tour of duty, yet the most rewarding. Honestly, every day in the service is rewarding because each day I am making a difference in a Marines life, whether it be personal or professional.”
Civilian Occupation and/or collegiate accolades: “Bachelors in Social Psychology from Park University Masters in Human Relations from Oklahoma University. Currently enrolled in Doctorate of Social Work at USC.”
She is also married to Garett Kirkby who is also an active-duty Sergeant Major.
