Sisters in Service

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Emily A. Kenney
  • 49th Wing Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Senior female leaders here are hosting an extensive mentoring program the third Tuesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. at Club Holloman.

Sisters in Service is a mentoring program designed primarily for women, but open to both genders, that focuses on topics such as leadership, mentorship and how to succeed as a woman in the workplace.

"Sisters in Service was created about a year and a half ago," said Col. Leslie Knight, 49th Medical Group commander. "Chief Wendy Rowe and I were sitting around discussing mentoring in the wing and the need for a mentoring group for women."

The hour-long meetings are hosted by Knight and other female senior leaders on base. Most recently, the group has been discussing topics from the book "Hardball for Women."

"The intent of the program is to reach women and to fill a void that may not be filled by supervision," said Knight. "We talk about real leadership topics, such as getting ahead in business, finance, mentoring and sponsorship."

Although the program is geared primarily toward females, Knight said men have also attended to learn about the unique challenges women face in a male-dominated workplace.

"Many times we have females as minorities in the workplace," said Maj. Jeurney Meekins, 49th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. "Sometimes females feel uncomfortable getting advice from men that outrank them, so having a resource that understands their needs and is open, allows for real conversations and mentoring to take place."

Over the last year, there have been 12 SIS meetings, each one bringing more participants.