“Hello, I'm the editor of At War at The New York Times Magazine. I was very moved by the submission you shared in response to our call-out asking servicewomen to share their stories. I'd love to include it in a roundup of responses we are planning to publish on Friday, March 8, for International Women's Day.”
I was laying on my friends couch when I received this email. I was exhausted and had a headache from what was likely dehydration. I’d had a long day of interviews via satellite for media outlets throughout the country and purposely didn’t eat or drink much from the nerves and from not wanting to keep taking off my pantyhose every time I needed to use the restroom.
I cried after reading the email. More than 650 women submitted their story and only 40 were chosen to be published. 40! My story was one of them. If I hadn't been asked to submit my story, I never would have. I frankly don't think I have that much of an interesting story to tell. There are so many women out there with amazing stories; women who have done things I could never dream of doing.
Who Are You?
I was selected to be a part of the Women in the Military Army Campaign for Women’s History Month. My name was essentially thrown in a hat to be part of a group of women who would be interviewed to potentially be selected for this campaign. A few days (or weeks, I can't remember) after the initial interview (which I believe is called story mining call), I was told I'd been one of two women selected to be a part of this campaign. I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was until I was actually flown to Washington DC. I didn’t feel ready and I definitely didn’t know what to expect. The PR company contracted by the Army sent two women to prep us and be with us every step of the way. It’s so interesting what goes into media prep and everything behind the scenes has truly changed my perspective on media interviews. I conducted a radio interview a day prior to heading to DC. I wasn’t ready. At all. That interview served as a little bit of practice of what I should expect. The good thing about that interview was that it was recorded so the host could edit out anything I didn’t want in it. According to the PR Company, reporters rarely do that. I was grateful for that because it was bad. I was just nervous and the nerves kind of took over. I’m not sure if you’re like this but I just kept blabbing and blabbing about nothing.
Don't Screw It Up
I got a little more comfortable once I was conducting the satellite interviews in DC. I realized I could answer any questions once I conducted a Spanish interview and couldn’t convey what I was trying to say because the words were just not translating properly in my head. THAT was painful but I got through it. Once that was over I knew I could do so much better at the English interviews.
In DC I met the other female I'd be conducting the interviews alongside. I was grateful she was there and am truly honored to have shared this experience with her. She is a West Point graduate and runs her own business. She serves in the Florida National Guard and was a Battalion Commander during the relief efforts after Hurricane Irma hit the Florida Keys. That’s a big deal! You can imagine the insecurity that set in once I heard of her experience. I haven’t done anything with my life… or so I thought. She was fascinated at the fact that I’m a mother, a business owner and serve on Active Duty full time.
I'm Just a Mom
It’s funny how easily I can get caught up in thinking I’m “just” a mom. Being a mom is a big deal. It’s hard work. It’s exhausting and you give up so much of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Add being a business owner and a Soldier and I have to say that’s pretty fascinating. I guess I hadn’t realized how much I truly juggle until someone chose me to represent women in the Army.
I can’t take all the credit though. There are women in the Army juggling so much more than I do. Some women are single moms and/or have children or parents with special needs. Some women are currently deployed away from their children and family. All-in-all I can say is women are pretty amazing. We find a way to get things done even if we’re at our wits end and feel like giving up. I truly believe it’s in our nature to just keep going - especially after having children.
Grateful
For whatever reason, I was chosen to be a part of this satellite media tour and asked to submit my story to the NY Times. The women who asked me to submit my story were just as excited as I was when they found out my story would be published. It was uplifting to see how genuinely happy they were to know my story would be published. I can't even begin to express how grateful I am to have had the opportunity to be a part of this.