MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Minot Air Force Base and Grand Forks AFB came together for the 3rd annual Women’s Symposium in Devil’s Lake, North Dakota, June 1, 2018.
During the symposium, roughly 50 female active duty military members, Department of Defense civilians and military spouses joined together to discuss strategies to empower women through everyday situations and life choices.
“It’s a good avenue to help women deal with daily stressors in and around the military,” said Master Sgt. Kirsten Petersen, 5th Bomb Wing inspection team chief. “We want to help them think of ways to handle it and know there are other women going through the same issues.”
Guest speakers from Grand Forks AFB, Minot AFB and the city of Minot went over spiritual resiliency, nutrition-on-the-go and internet safety.
Additionally, a women’s panel was introduced to answer any questions attendees had about women issues within the military.
Rosanne Callens, a motivational speaker, financial counselor and success and life coach, closed the symposium with her interactive presentation “Behind the Mirror – What’s on your Billboard,” presented to help women think more positively about themselves and their situations.
“We tend to focus on everything we aren’t doing rather than what we are doing right,” said Callens. “It takes practice and active thinking to focus on our strengths rather than our weaknesses.”
Minot AFB and Grand Forks AFB are planning to hold the women’s symposium annually.