Honoring the Distinguished Women Veterans of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
by Andrea Williamson
As we celebrate the 78th Anniversary of National Women Veterans Recognition Day on June 12, 2026, the Iota Gamma Omega Chapter Veterans showcase grace, leadership, and commitment. These words reflect the legacy of the Sorority Sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®. United not only by their bond of sisterhood but by a shared dedication to service, these remarkable women collectively represent over 300 years of military and professional service—a testament to excellence, resilience, and unwavering purpose.
From the halls of the Pentagon to deployments across the globe, these women have answered the call to serve with distinction and honor. Their journeys span continents, cultures, and commands—each story uniquely powerful yet woven together by a common thread: a commitment to leadership and lifting others along the way.
Whether leading logistics operations in high-pressure environments, providing legal counsel to service members abroad, performing to uplift troop morale in international arenas, or responding to humanitarian crises, these Sorority Sisters have exemplified the very essence of service. Their experiences reflect not only professional achievement but also personal growth, courage, and the forging of lifelong bonds.
Beyond their uniforms and titles lies something even more profound—their impact. They have mentored future leaders, strengthened communities, and demonstrated that excellence is not a destination, but a lifelong journey. Through every challenge faced and milestone achieved, they have carried with them the values of Alpha Kappa Alpha: service to all mankind, sisterhood, and scholarship.
This feature honors not just their years of service, but the legacy they continue to build. It is a celebration of women who have led with integrity, served with compassion, and inspired generations through their example.
As we reflect on their collective contributions, we are reminded that true greatness is measured not only by what we accomplish, but by how we serve—and these women have done both, beautifully and boldly.
Their story is one of excellence.
Their legacy is one of impact.
And their sisterhood is one that will endure for generations to come.
Jacqueline Chandler
Memorable Experience
My most memorable moment was being assigned to the Pentagon, where I had the opportunity to work on the Joint Staff. This role allowed me to work for General Ellis, the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations of the Army, and General Shinseki, the 34th Chief of Staff of the Army. Working alongside such high-ranking officials was both challenging and rewarding.
Erica Rooks
Memorable Experience
Army Basic Training.
Shirley A. Stewart-Tibbs
Memorable Experience
Commanding the Pistol and Rifle.
Lisa Taylor
Memorable Experience
Rappelling off the side of the tallest building on campus while in ROTC.
Andrea Williamson
Memorable Experience
The 416th Civil Affairs Battalion provided me with the opportunity to serve as an Island Officer for the Virgin Islands National Guard (VING), including St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. In this role, I served as the Island Officer, providing training to the VING on hurricane preparedness and response following the devastation caused by Hurricane Hugo. This powerful 1989 tropical cyclone brought widespread destruction throughout the northeastern Caribbean. It was a get experience to train and work with incredible members of the VING.
Ingrid M. Turner
Memorable Experience
The Naval Legal Service Office (NLSO) in Yokosuka, Japan, allowed me to hone my legal and leadership skills. At the NLSO, I prosecuted cases, served as a legal advisor to forward-deployed commands, helped service members and families get their legal affairs in order before deployments, while also serving as a Department Head leading a group of young attorneys and paralegals to provide a myriad of legal services in a foreign country. Developing lifelong friends, our dedicated team provided excellent services during some of the most challenging times.
Winifred E. Turner
Memorable Experience
Being given my first-ever birthday party (surprise party). It was a blast.
Kendra Woodbury
Memorable Experience
Serving with such wonderful people over the years.
Michelle Collins-Wesley
Memorable Experience
My career has been marked by leadership in logistics and supply chain management, significant operational responsibility in theater environments, and a strong focus on training and team cohesion.
Cashenna Cross
Memorable Experience
Serving in the internationally acclaimed performing group Tops in Blue, I traveled to 18 countries and delivered over 118 shows—bringing morale and welfare to our troops abroad. That experience ignited my love for global travel and sparked a lasting passion for international relations and public policy.
Wanda Green
Memorable Experience
The people I met and consider family to this day and the places I lived.
Carol Holland
Memorable Experience
I enjoyed leading the Air Detachment as the Officer in Charge of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 74. I learned a lot about leadership, people, and accomplishing missions. We built a schoolhouse in Great Inagua, Bahamas, during that eight-week deployment.
Janelle Johnson
Memorable Experience
My favorite memory is going through life and experiences with my battles, and for the opportunity to leave the DC metro region for the first time.
Pamela Kelly-Gray
Memorable Experience
My first flight jump.
Delora Lynette Kennebrew
Memorable Experience
My service abroad in Spain, where I lived in the local community, and found an appreciation for another country.
Kathy Oliphant
Memorable Experience
Chatting it up with my warrant officers while watching our favorite DVD movies during a Field Exercise in South Korea. I learned a valuable lesson as a young lieutenant that day: Safety of your Soldiers and equipment should ALWAYS come before execution of the mission.
Kalia Lucas
Memorable Experience
My most memorable experience in the military was actually the day that I was sworn in and the day I finished boot camp. Those days are memorable because I was able to share it with my first hero, my dad. My dad had served 32+ years in the U.S. Marine Corps at the time and he was there to not only see me sworn in, but also see me complete my boot camp training. He wore his dress blues, which were drenched in ribbons and regalia from over the years he served. It was a very proud moment for us, as I was able to continue the military legacy within our family.
Mary A. Hunter
Memorable Experience
Executive Assistant to Brigade General.
Bernetta Lane
Memorable Experience
As a lifelong public servant, it has truly been an esteemed honor and privilege to serve as both a Commission Officer and Noncommission Officer in uniform services of the United States. There have been countless memories experience is which were fueled by the core values of integrity, excellence, and service before self however, I will never forget the day that significantly changed America in each of our lives that infamous day was the Pentagon terrorist attack on September 9/11/2001 duty called and I answered by serving as a primary first responder and providing life-saving measures to patient and implementing crisis management plans on the horrific day as a humanitarian it was I was humbled and grateful to work tirelessly during and after the attack by leading efforts to expand medical services at the Pentagon Del Lorenzo, TRICARE health clinic in to thousands of rescue workers.
