Toward the end of my tenure, though, I was faced with yet another incident of sexual harassment and lack of equal opportunity for the women in the Corps. I was threatened not to say anything and made to feel dominated by the power my aggressor held. At that moment, I had a revelation.

Women face struggles every day in all branches of the service. We are strong, courageous and capable, but as women we do not empower one another. I was lost, and I felt I had no one to turn to for guidance. We needed to start believing in our abilities and not allowing our counterparts to silence us.

I decided I would try my hardest to give women a voice and help them rise up and achieve their goals. I decided to leave the Marine Corps to pursue my goals as a women’s veteran advocate in creating Lady Leatherneck. Lady Leatherneck is connected to www.leatherneck.com, an online community of Marines, their families and friends. We provide helpful articles, resources and sites to guide, mentor and inspire Lady Marines and Marine spouses internationally. I feel strongly that it is my purpose to inspire all women who serve – past, present and future.