RECOGNIZING WOMEN VETERANS
Annual luncheon highlights women in the military
East Carolina University’s motto is “Servire,” or “to serve,” and several hundred female employees live that motto to its fullest.
As of fall 2018, ECU employed 554 women veterans who served or are serving in the U.S. military. These women are recognized each year at ECU with a luncheon that celebrates their service, along with the service of many women student veterans.
The third annual Women’s Veteran Luncheon, hosted by ECU Student Veteran Services and the Office of Student Transitions, will be held Nov. 15 in the Main Campus Student Center. Below are the stories of five women who will attend the luncheon:
Madelene Andrews
Patient Representative, ECU School of Dental Medicine
2nd Class Radioman, U.S. Navy, 1979-85
Madelene Andrews
Why serve? Initially, I joined the Navy to get out of my parents’ house. I continued to serve because I loved the job that I did. A radioman is the connector – we made sure that everyone communicated with each other successfully. At the time that I served, we communicated via huge computers that took up much space in a room, so the “radio shacks” were big, spacious rooms with many radiomen getting the job done. Wherever you were in the world, a radioman made sure you communicated via paper messages that one would receive in minutes.
What is your favorite memory of serving? My favorite memory is when I took my first physical training exam in boot camp; we had to run for about 30 minutes. I was a dancer in high school, and I weighed only 90 pounds, so distance running was not something I did. The pace was set by a retired Navy officer who was built to last, and my body wasn’t, yet. My shipmates and company commander encouraged and pushed me throughout the entire run. Without them encouraging me and pushing me to finish, I would not have made it through boot camp. It was an overwhelming amount of people who rooted for me, including the pacer. Eight weeks later, I took my final physical exam in boot camp and the time was much longer. Through remedial physical training, I not only passed the exam, but the retired Navy officer had to prevent me from passing him up.
What makes you proud to be a Pirate? ECU dental medicine allows me to continue what God started in me. God made me to be a communicator and helper. I am continuing to work in the field of help at ECU. Some patients have lengthy treatments, and they go through a long process. I help them with their appointments, providing a friendly face and calming conversation when they are nervous about their appointments, and I make sure they are taken care of. The most rewarding part of my job is when a patient finishes their long process, and they come with a finished, beautiful smile.
Stacie Jethro
Administrative Support Specialist, Business and Finance department, School of Dental Medicine
E4, U.S. Air Force, four years active duty
Stacy Jethro
Why serve? I decided to serve in the U.S. Air Force for several reasons. My brother enlisted a few years before I did, and I saw how much he enjoyed serving. I was influenced by his experiences and decided to enlist in the Air Force as well. I would like to pretend that my enlistment was based purely on wanting to serve my country, and it was to an extent, but it was also for the benefits that the military offered, such as the GI bill. I wanted to travel the country and serve at the same time, and the military afforded me the ability to do just that.
What is your favorite memory of serving? My favorite memory of serving is the camaraderie that I felt the entire time I was in the Air Force. You become very close with the people you serve with, as well as with their families. I always felt like I had someone I knew I could count on in hard times. We were a tightly knit family, and that has always been one of my favorite memories of my time serving in the Air Force.
What makes you proud to be a Pirate? I am proud to work at ECU with such a diverse group of people from all backgrounds. I have been surprised at the number of veterans that work for ECU, and I hope ECU continues to hold veteran status in high regard. I believe that employing veterans is a good way to “give back” to the people who have served our country in good times and bad.
Lisa Brown ’09
Coordinator, Student Veteran Services – 13 years at ECU
E5, U.S. Navy, 11 years of service
Lisa Brown
Why serve? Serving in the military was an opportunity for me to do something significant in my life. It was a positive experience for me and it gave me the discipline and the structure that I needed at the time after graduating high school.
What is your favorite memory of serving? Being stationed overseas: Australia and Japan. Serving in the military afforded me the chance to learn another culture and gain more life experiences like driving on the left side of the road.
What makes you proud to be a Pirate? I’m proud of my association with ECU because of the dedication the university has shown with the establishment and growth of the Student Veteran Services. The university has continued to allocate resources to expand services/programming for the veteran population.
Shadawn Simmons ’07
ECU-led Study Abroad Administrative Assistant
Petty Officer 3rd Class Radioman, U.S. Navy, 1992-1997 active duty
71L Administrative Specialist, Army National Guard, 1998-2001
Shadawn Simmons
Why serve? I served because my mother served. At a young age, I admired the way my mother carried herself – with respect, self-discipline and strength.
What is your favorite memory of serving? My long-lasting friendships are my greatest memory, and I will forever cherish.
What makes you proud to be a Pirate? One of several reasons I am proud to be a Pirate is ECU brings awareness and appreciation to women veterans.
Leigh Swartz
Certified Medical Assistant, Firetower Medical Office, ECU Physicians
SSG, Army National Guard, 12 years of service
Leigh Swartz
Why serve? It gives me the opportunity to help in not only my community with natural disasters but nationwide. I am a role model for my daughter, to show her she can do anything she puts her mind to. I love that I have been to places I would not have been able to see otherwise. I’m thankful for the opportunity for the education I have been provided and still continue to get. It provides leadership traits, self-esteem, self-discipline and many other traits that I might not have gotten without my journey.
What is your favorite memory of serving? The experiences I gained along the way; being able to serve more people in the community than just the patients we see in the office.
What makes you proud to be a Pirate? ECU has been super supportive of my service, and I fit right back in at any length of absence.