Lieutenant receives recognition for countless efforts

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jaeda Tookes
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  The Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught Visionary Leadership award is presented to an officer, enlisted member and civilian who exhibit attributes of character, innovation, commitment and a selfless spirit of service to others.

A lieutenant at Malmstrom was recently selected as the 2016 Air Force Global Strike Command winner of the leadership award.

“I am proud to say (my team and I) were able to stand up five mother’s rooms across the installation,” said 1st Lt. Annabel Monroe, 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs chief of media operations. “The rooms provide a safe and clean place for mothers to breast-feed or pump milk.”

Monroe has been at Malmstrom for just under two years, and in that short time has made significant changes across the base.

“She was able to get all of this accomplished in the short time she has been here, even with her two little ones,” said Curtis Hunt, 341st Missile Wing director of staff.

According to Monroe, she recognized the need for mothers’ rooms when she started breast-feeding her youngest son.

“There was only one breast-feeding room on base in the clinic, but it was not well advertised,” Monroe said.

Monroe and her team wanted to make legitimate and well-advertised rooms where mothers could breast-feed or pump milk.

The process for the mother’s rooms began in February and was finished in October of this year.

“The support from everyone kept us going,” Monroe said. “It was challenging at times, but (my team and I) wanted to do this for the mothers who needed a place to go that did not involve going home or to their cars.”

The potential thought of helping a wide range of people also played a factor to keep moving forward, Monroe said.

Monroe’s efforts have also included an observation of Women’s History Month, recognition of military mothers who serve on Mother’s Day and highlighting women in combat leadership roles.

“Her energy is amazing and has been tremendous for the wing,” Hunt said.

She has empowered women in the Air Force by helping them find career and family balance, and is genuinely committed to improving the integration of and opportunities to women in the Air Force, according to Gen. Robin Rand, AFGSC commander, in the nomination letter.

“The biggest thing for the team is that we do a lot of behind the scenes work for the wing and oftentimes no one really knows who did it,” Hunt said. “We perform at such high levels.”

According to Monroe, she felt well supported and encouraged by her leadership team in her efforts.

“One of the things I learned through this process is to not be afraid to speak up,” Monroe said. “Get the support from your leadership and keep pushing.”

Monroe will go on to compete at Air Force level.