As the Department of Defense commemorates International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, we are reflecting on progress we have made towards gender equity and equality at home and abroad, and celebrating the invaluable expertise of women throughout DoD.
We are excited to celebrate Women’s History Month as our National Naval Officers Association acknowledge, honor, and reflect on the contributions of women to leadership in the Sea Services. This year’s theme is “Women Providing Healing – Promoting Hope.” This theme is “both a tribute to the ongoing work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.”
Lest we forget the work of Susie Taylor King – Susie King Taylor – Wikipedia – who is well known (or should be) for her service during the Civil War. Our NNOA 
legendary role model and hero CAPT Sandi Pollard – CAPT Sandi Pollard, USN (Ret) – NNOA Visionary and Life Member – 2019 | NNOA who served as a role model to me and so many others in NNOA, women have always played a critical and leading role in taking care of our shipmates and giving our families hope. From the first Army nurse Anna May Hayes – Anna Mae Hays – Wikipedia – who served in a mud-caked jungle hospital during WWII to the LCDR Mildred McAfee – Mildred H. McAfee – Wikipedia – who became the director of the WAVES in 1942, women in the armed forces have been providing hope and healing to our military service members in times of war and peace. Women continue to serve in roles that provide healing and promote hope from doctors, nurses, chaplains, and counselors.
The National Naval Officers Association are looking forward to the various programs and events provided by the local chapters. Please share your events on our website: nnoa.org to continue to inspire future generations of excellence.
Very respectfully,
Sinclair M. Harris, RADM USN Retired
President, NNOA
“And if I perish, I perish.”- Esther 4:16
Queen Esther is one of the many women who sacrificed, spoke truth to power, and made a difference in the male-dominated world during biblical times. Her Uncle Mordica challenged Queen Esther to save her people when their lives were threatened by self-serving Hamen. Hamen wanted to lead the royal court and be revered by the King by any means necessary. However, he had one problem standing in his way, which was Mordica. The only way to get rid of Mordica was to get rid of all the Jews. Fortunately, Mordica finds out about a plan that Hamen had created to present to the King that called for the complete decimation of all Jews, including Queen Esther.
The closest person to the King is the Queen. So, Mordica goes to Queen Esther and asks her to speak to the King to save herself and her people. However, the Queen is not feeling this because it means she could very well lose her life speaking on such matters. After much coercing and prayerful thought, she agrees to talk with the King. She provides specific directions to Mordica, which she concludes, “and if I perish, I perish.” However, she did not perish. She saved her people. Hamen was held accountable for his egregious actions. She proves to be a woman of much strength and courage.
Women have made significant contributions to our history and our military. In honor of Women’s history month, I pray women continue to lead, speak truth to power, and mentor tomorrow’s leaders. We have the shoulders of giants to stand on, such as Rosa Parks, RADM Grace Murray Hopper, LTJG Harriet Ida Pickett, Ms. Olivia J. Hooker, LT Vivian McFadden, and Ms. Annie M. Grahams. Because of them, we have VADM Michelle Howard, Brigadier General Lorna Mahlock, RADM Lillian Fishburn, Vice President Kamala Harris, and many more. So let us stand firm and allow our voices and visions to be heard and seen.
Blessings,
Reverend Takana L. Jefferson, Chaplain, United States Navy
Please circulate scholarship opportunities amongst your respective networks. To donate to any of the scholarships, please Click to Donate. Additional scholarship opportunities and resources can be found at NNOA’s Education, Scholarships, and College Enrollment Resources Section (https://nnoa.org/scholarships).
Description: Awarded to student(s) who are accepted or attending Marion Military Institute, and will attend an NPP-designated school after completion of required course work. NPP partners with educational institutions (i.e., Marion Military Institute) to support prospective NROTC Midshipmen in developing a strong mental and physical foundation to prepare them for success in the NROTC program. Marion Military Institute is the nation’s oldest military junior college.
Award: 2 scholarships – $7,500
Suspense Date: 30 April of the award year
Description: Awarded to HBCU affiliated College Program student(s) (non-scholarship NROTC student) pursuing STEM degree(s). The scholarship is in honor of RDML Mack Gaston who commanded three ships (2 destroyers and a cruiser), Defense Nuclear Agency, and Naval Training Center Great Lakes in his 31-year naval career.
Award: 1 scholarship – $1,000 (Tuskegee University) and 2 scholarships – $750 (all other HBCUs)
Suspense Date: 30 April of the award year
Description: Awarded to the enlisted sea service member(s) accepted or attending a Minority Serving Institution, and will pursue or are pursuing STEM degree(s). The scholarship is in honor of Dr. Olivia Hooker who became the first African American woman to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard when she enlisted in the Coast Guard’s Semper Paratus Always Ready (SPAR) program in 1945.
Award: 2 scholarships – $500
Suspense Date: 30 April of the award year
For questions, please contact NNOA Scholarship Committee at scholarships@nnoa.org.
Description: Award is in honor of VADM Samuel Gravely, Jr. who was the first African American to achieve flag rank in the U.S. Navy and to command a U.S. Numbered Fleet.
Award: One (1) per school per academic year – certificate and NJROTC service ribbon
Suspense Date: 1 February to 30 April of the award year
For questions, please contact NNOA Recruiting and Accessions Committee at nnoa.recruiting@gmail.com.
Description: Award recognizes HBCU NROTC/CSPI graduating, and soon to be commissioned, seniors who have demonstrated excellence in all areas of academic and military training.
Award: One (1) per unit or school or program (CSPI) per academic year – plaque and one (1) year NNOA membership
Suspense Date: 15 March of the award year
For questions, please contact NNOA Recruiting and Accessions Committee at nnoa.recruiting@gmail.com.
COMPETITION OVERVIEW
The National Naval Officers Association (NNOA) is inviting members and non-members to participate in a NNOA Logo Contest. The winning Artist will be awarded a Lifetime Membership and one 2022 Symposium registration to participate in all the events July 26-29 at our 50th Anniversary Symposium, in Annapolis, Maryland.
As we celebrate 50 years past and begin a new decade, our logo should represent NNOA’s objectives of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our sea services, and that we are “stronger together”. If you think that our current logo still represents.
The deadline to submit entries is March 5, 2022. Logo submissions will be posted online at www.nnoa.org/logo-vote March 7-15, 2022, for voting. The winning logo will be revealed on our Facebook page March 19, 2022.
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