2020 Hall of Fame

Colonel Mary Louise Milligan-Rasmuson began her career as enlisted Army private during World War II as one of the first 440 WAC’s. At the end of WWII she transferred to Washington DC and became the WAC Deputy Director.

In her long career of service, she fought for women’s equal rights and equal pay. She worked tirelessly to bring WAC women service members into full and equal ranks for the Armed Forces.

In 1957 Colonel Milligan – Rasmunson became the 5th Director of the Women’s Army Corp. During her 5 ½ years as Director she expanded women's opportunities into assignments reserved for men only starting in 1957 with the assignment of 12 enlisted women into the First Missile Master Unit at Fort Meade.

She was instrumental in getting women promoted above the grade of E-7 and into the ranks of E-8 and E-9.

She was the guiding force to opening up the college enlistment option to women under the self-enhancement programs and witness the first female enlisted person to attend college under this program.

COL Milligan – Rasmunson retired from active duty in 1962 and passed away in 2012 at 101.

A native of Fayetteville, NC, COL Edna W. Cummings received her ROTC commission after having graduated from Appalachian State University. In a 25-year distinguished military career, she rose to the rank of Colonel and was an outstanding leader and role model in positions first open to women such as; ROTC leadership instructor, Reserve Forces Advisor to NORTHCOM/NORAD, Watch Officer in Pentagon Emergency Operations Center and a specialist in emergency preparedness and human capital management.

COL Cummings was assigned to operational units from coordination exercises with other DOD units to events and exercises with FEMA. As the Reserve Forces Advisor to US Northern Command/North American Aerospace Defense, she concluded a 25-year army career as a member of the 2002 transition team to activate NORTHCOM as required.

Upon her retirement from active duty, Edna Cummings started a highly successful veteran, woman-owned business specializing in management and proposal services for federal and commercial clients.

Particularly noteworthy is the volunteer work Edna Cummings has accomplished to honor and recognize the 6888th Postal Directory Battalion, the first and only all-Black, all-female unit to deploy to the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Edna Cummings has been instrumental in obtaining long-overdue recognition of the 6888th Postal Directory Battalion. In addition to helping to raise funds for a monument in honor of the 6888th Postal Directory Battalion dedicated at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in November 2018, she coordinated with congressional staff to present the Army Meritorious Unit Commendation to surviving veterans of the unit in February 2019. Further, she served as a producer of the critically acclaimed documentary about the 6888th, entitled, "No Mail, Low Morale." Currently, she is the principal spokesperson in soliciting congressional support for the Six Triple Eight Congressional Gold Medal. Through her dedication, drive, and highly refined social media skills, Edna continues to champion actions, and increase awareness for the seven women veterans from the 6888th who are alive -- all in their nineties.

COL Edna W. Cummings's overall outstanding career performance and her championing of the 6888th Postal Directory Battalion demonstrate exemplary performance, both by example and by deeds.

For information on the Appalachian State Alumna and Military Trailblazer https://today.appstate.edu/2020/03/20/cummings

COL Dixon was commissioned a second lieutenant in the adjutant general's corps after having received a 4 - year ROTC and basketball scholarship and graduated from Hampton University. Prior to her first assignment, she attended airborne school and earned her wings as a paratrooper.

Her early education and training were designed to prepare for diverse positions in the army. After five years of active duty, COL Dixon was selected for her first command of the Pentagon Operations Company.

Showing exemplary performance in command and leadership positions at increasing levels of responsibility, COL Dixon's assignments reflected preparation for increasing responsibility as a policymaker, women's advocate and executive leadership and management.

She was selected and served with distinction as a senior military advisor and Congressional fellow on Capitol Hill. Among her numerous honors she received the Phillip Connelly Award for best large dining facility category and for best quality and nutritious food in 14 dining facilities.

Her final assignment in the army detailed her to the Department of Veterans Affairs in 2013 to lead a group of 8 army colonels and sergeants major in reducing a 600,000 disability claims backlog by 2015. Many of these claims involved a disproportionate number of female veterans.

In retirement, COL Dixon is a businesswoman who currently runs a short - term rental business. She is still involved in volunteer services and is actively involved in THE ROCKS, INC., a mentoring and professional development nonprofit organization for army officers.

COL (Retired) Dorene Hurt served as an outstanding officer and role model, culminating in the rank of COL and a 31-year military career. She assumed a pioneering role as the first woman and medical service officer to serve as the Chief of Staff of the Army Service Chair in the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF).

Upon graduation from college, Dorene Hurt was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Transportation Corps, where she served as a platoon leader and assistant battalion executive officer. In 1981 she transferred to the medical service branch within the logistics specialty.

After having completed the Logistics Management Course and a brief assignment at Fort Carson, she was selected to attend the Army Medical Department (AMEDD) Advanced course, and the US Army Baylor Master's Degree program in healthcare administration.

Throughout her career, Dorene served in senior health care executive positions and contributed immeasurably to the quality of military health care. COL Hurt was a staunch supporter of women's rights to health care and served as an outspoken advocate ensuring that feminine products were available for women during deployment and field exercises.

Retiring in 2009, Dorene continues to serve. Most noteworthy is her volunteer work, where she serves at both the state and national level with THE ROCKS, INC., a military officer and cadet mentoring and professional development non-profit organization that exists to strengthen the military officer corps. There she uses her talent and time to mentor others in order for them to live up to the fullest potential.

On December 2, 2017 CW5 Monroe became the first African American female Chief Warrant Officer 5 in the ammunition field. “She is a pioneer,” LTG Piggee said.

CW5 Monroe started as an ammunition specialist and served as a Drill Sergeant before becoming a Warrant Officer in 2003. Since then, she deployed six times, including three times to Iraq – and she went from overseeing $5 million worth of ammunition on her first deployment, to $2.7 billion on her last. She came to the Pentagon in 2015 and is on the front-line of our efforts to improve ammunition readiness.

She implemented an Amnesty program which enabled $265,000 worth of ammunition to be placed back into serviceable condition.

CW5 Monroe founded and organization with two other young ladies; Blazing Beauties. Its mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and learning environment for young ladies ages 10-18 who are from all walks of life. Under our platform C.A.R.E (Community Service, Accountability, Resiliency and Education and Evolvement) we try to provide young girls the strength and courage to rise above daily adversity and strive to be better individuals and contributors to their communities and personal livelihood.

CW5 Wendy Wayman holds the distinction of being the first official Command Chief Warrant at INSCOM, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She is one of a limited group of female CW5s in the U.S. Army. Currently, she is the most senior Warrant Officer in the Signal Intelligence field. CW5 Wayman is an exceptional leader and technical Signals Intelligence expert who has dedicated her life to the United States of America and the U.S. Army.

Entering the Army in 1984, Wendy Wayman has supported every military campaign since Desert Storm, to the present day.

She is a mentor to soldiers of all ranks, branches, and demographics. She developed a three year NSA intern program to provide a high level of specialization for mid-grade Signals Intelligence Warrants, which directly and significantly improved support to maneuver forces.

She identified a need to provide focused, operational support to conventional combat operations to remove high-value targets from the battlefield. This focused operational support resulted in the introduction of trained soldiers, specialized equipment, and concentrated tactics and techniques, mission, and equipment identified as SIGINT Terminal Guidance. As a result of her initiative, this focused system has been adopted as standard Army Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Doctrine.

CW5 Wendy Wayman is an exceptional example of a woman, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a role model, and a soldier. She has proudly served her country while raising her children, now both soldiers themselves. She continues to serve proudly and has been a pioneer in her field.

Sergeant Major Karla Frank served on active duty from 1974 to 1994 and was the first woman to attain the rank of Sergeant Major (E-9) in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps.

Born and raised in Berlin, Karla Frank began working for the U.S. government in 1971 as an interpreter in the "Allied Kommandatura," the governing body for the city of Berlin following Germany's defeat in World War II. She later served as a personnel clerk for the U.S. Army's Berlin Brigade, where she met and married an American Soldier.

In 1973, SGM Frank accompanied her then-husband to Fort Hood, Texas. She decided to join the Army shortly after that and enlisted as an administrative specialist in April 1974 and transitioned to the JAG Corps in 1980. SGM Frank then began a meteoric rise through the ranks. On 1 April 1989, a mere 15 years after joining the U.S. Army, she was the first woman to attain the highest enlisted rank of Sergeant Major in the history of the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps—the oldest law firm in the United States founded in 1775.

SGM Frank loved mentoring Soldiers, and she flourished as their career steward. In addition to managing thousands of enlisted careers, she traveled widely to understand Soldiers' needs and appropriately balance them against the Army's needs.

She retired on 1 May 1994 after 20 years of service to the nation.

MSG Elizabeth Helm-Frazier was born in St. Petersburg, FL, and is the oldest of five children. She joined the Army for its educational and job opportunities. Throughout her 25 year career, she held a variety of assignments and high-profile positions. Some of her military career highlights include being U.S. Army TRADOC’s Career Counselor of the Year, San Antonio’s Mentor of the Year, Past President of the Northern Virginia Chapter 33, and the Women’s Army Corps, Volunteer of the Year, Fort Gordon, GA.

Frequently commended as an expert in personnel and career counseling, her unit and leadership retention programs were worthy of emulation and demonstrated outstanding supervisory and management with subordinates. She was an exceptional Soldier, role model, and frequently commended for her outstanding leadership, recruitment, and retention skills.

After her retirement in 2006, Elizabeth Helm-Frazier has continued her service to military women, veterans, and community activities. One of her many ongoing volunteer commitments is ensuring the legacy of the 6888th Postal Battalion, the first and only all-Black and all-female unit to deploy to the European Theater of Operations during World War II. Through her efforts, she helped raise funds to build a monument at Fort Leavenworth to recognize the 6888th’s exemplary service in WWII. Additionally, she served as a producer of the critically acclaimed documentary, “No Mail, Low Morale,” which tells the 6888th Postal Directory Battalion story.

Elizabeth Helm-Frazier is skilled at providing counseling and guidance to Army women and continues to be an advocate and role model for Army women.

MSG Tanya Whitney served with great distinction during her 27-year Army career in the United States Army. MSG Whitney continually achieved the highest standard of excellence throughout her years of service, far and away exceeded the expectations for accomplishment and competence in Army Aviation Maintenance; she set the standard at all times.

Since her earliest days as a young Private, she was continually cited as outstanding amongst her peers, whether as the distinguished honor graduate from all of her training courses or being the key driving force of the maintenance effort in all of the units to which she was assigned.

In an unprecedented move, FWPMO selected her to be the technical evaluator for three simultaneous Army fixed-wing maintenance contract source selection boards. Additionally, she served as the technical expert on multi-service source selection boards for the C-20, C-23, C-26 and C-12/UC-35 and the Dash 7 Airborne Reconnaissance Aircraft maintenance contracts; each valued at multi $100 million.

Donna Weddle first enlisted in the Army in 1963 and was discharged in 1965 as an E-5 personnel specialist / NCO. She later served as an Army Chaplain on active duty for more than 27 years and retired in 2006 after serving as the Joint Staff Chaplain in the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

She is a true Army trailblazer and holds the distinctions of being the first WAC to later serve as an Army Chaplain and is the first woman chaplain in a Combat Arms Brigade (197th Infantry Brigade), the second woman chaplain to serve at the Office of the Chief of Chaplains and the first Woman Division Chaplain to deploy with the 1st Infantry Division to Bosnia and Germany.

For an article on Chaplain Weddle go to https://www.army.mil/article/233852/army_womens_foundation_2020_hall_of_fame_inducts_three_chaplains

A native of Pennsylvania, Chaplain Karen Meeker attended Bucknell University on a ROTC scholarship, majoring in Classics. She received her Masters of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School, completing Clinical Pastoral Education at Massachusetts General Hospital and conducting two seasons of Biblical archaeology at the Leon Levy Expedition at Ashkelon, Israel. She completed her ministerial qualifications with the United Methodist Church in the Leeward Islands District, Dominica, West Indies and State College, Pennsylvania.

Karen earned a reputation throughout the Army Chaplain Corps for her creative approach to soldier ministry, which she continues to implement through the development of highly committed and integrated teams. Since the earliest days of her military career she has been a key part of innovative ministries that shaped Army chapel communities for future generations. At her first assignment with the 82d Airborne Division, she was a part of the All-American Service that later became Chapel Next. A team approach to faith-based community, Chapel Next quickly spread across the Army and sister services. During her second assignment, God gave Karen a vision for a coffeehouse ministry, which grew from a local initiative to help Soldiers and Airmen into a flourishing ministry template that installations across South Korea utilized to support military personnel and families. This ministry vision had an exponential impact, as both models of ministry were well in place when the U.S. was attacked on 9/11 and the Global War on Terror began. Easily deployable, these templates for faith-based community sustained the spirit of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and Defense Department civilians through countless campaigns and operations.

Always seeking common ground and collaboration, Chaplain Meeker is known for connecting easily with people and caring for them in all seasons of life and service and in the midst of any experience. Bringing together Chaplain Endorsing Agents, civilian ministry partners, and religious leaders in the U.S. and abroad, Karen has advanced Defense Department policies to improve and widen the impact of religious support on the force. Wherever she has been, her performance has transcended the organization and has echoed throughout the Army.

A lifetime runner and unrepentant lover of puns, Karen’s greatest treasures are faith, freedom, family, and friends.

Chaplain Meeker is currently the Chief of Chaplain Recruiting in the Office of the Chief of Chaplains at the Pentagon, and is orders to become the Command Chaplain for 8th Army in the Republic of Korea. Her previous assignments include Senior Chaplain Clinician of Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and Command Chaplain for Regional Health Command Europe; 1st Armored Division Chaplain, Fort Bliss, Texas; Chaplain for CENTCOM Forward Jordan; Executive Officer, Office of the Chief of Chaplains, Pentagon; Accessions Officer, Office of the Chief of Chaplains; Deputy Command Chaplain, Combined Joint Task Force 101, Afghanistan; Deputy Division Chaplain, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell; Deputy Chaplain U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Eustis; Group Chaplain, 43d Area Support Group, Fort Carson and Kuwait; Deputy Group Chaplain, 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), US Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg; Battalion Chaplain, 2-2 Aviation Battalion (Air Assault), 2d Infantry Division, Republic of Korea; and Battalion Chaplain, 307 Forward Support Battalion (Airborne), 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Her military education includes an Army War College Fellowship at the Institute of World Politics in Washington, DC; Command General and Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Chaplain Captain Career Course at Fort Jackson, South Carolina; Pathfinder School (the first female chaplain to graduate) and Officer Honor Graduate, Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia; Advanced Airborne School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina (first female chaplain); Combat Medical Ministry Course at AMEDD, and the Chaplains Officer Basic Course at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.

Chaplain Meeker's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (One Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (Three Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (One Oak Leaf Cluster), Joint Service Achievement Medal (One Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal (Three Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Unit Meritorious Award (One Oak Leaf Cluster), Afghan Campaign Medal, National Defense Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Reserves Overseas Ribbon, NATO Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge, Korean and German Parachutist Badges, German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Bronze), and Army Staff Badge.

Chaplain Meeker was selected as a 2020 Gomes Awardee which recognizes distinguished Harvard Divinity School alumni. She received the Distinguished Service Award from the Military Chaplains Association in 2004. Chaplain Meeker was recognized by Northwest High School as a Distinguished Graduate in 2002. She is a Noble Patron of Armor (Saint George) and the Chaplain Corps (Saint Martin of Tours).

Publications and Presentations:
“Staying the Course” a devotional booklet for combat veterans and their loved ones by Guideposts, November 2018

“War of Ideas, Battle for the Soul,” published in the Washington Times July 2016: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jul/6/islamic-terror-recruiting-comes-down-to-a-war-of-b/

Presented, “War of Ideas, Battle for the Soul,” at the Brookings Institute: https://www.brookings.edu/events/beyond-2016-security-challenges-and-opportunities-for-the-next-administration/

“Our Sacred Honor,” paper posted at: https://mca-usa.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Mobile-Newsgram-May-11-2016.pdf. DC Panel discussed the issues in the paper: “Improving Civ-Mil Relations for a Stronger Military Chaplaincy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7ae6HObWiU

Presented in Washington, DC on Panel Discussion “Women in Combat,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-2y_AC7siw
“His Mysterious Ways,” Guideposts, December 1996

Youth Handbook, United Methodist Vacation Bible School materials, Cokesbury, 1995

For article on Chaplain Meeker go to https://www.army.mil/article/233852/army_womens_foundation_2020_hall_of_fame_inducts_three_chaplains

Chaplain Karen Diefendorf was endorsed in 1985 as a chaplain in the U.S. Army reserve in 1985, and in 1986 she entered active duty after completing the Chaplain Officer Basic Course. Her first assignment was at Fort Benning, GA, and she was then assigned to the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, where she became the first female chaplain to become a paratrooper and first to be assigned to an operational airborne unit. She rose through the ranks and retired in 2006 serving in the Force Structure Office for the Chief of Chaplains at the Pentagon. In 2009, she was recalled to active duty at USACHCS to serve as Director of Training Development, where she oversaw the development of all training from Private to
Colonel. After 24 years of service, She retired from active duty in 2014.

For an article on Karen Diefendorf go to https://www.army.mil/article/233852/army_womens_foundation_2020_hall_of_fame_inducts_three_chaplains

SGM Claudette Williams (Ret) served in the military for 30 years and retired in 2014. As part of her being a "Soldier for Life", she is doing her part to promote and maintain the history of women veterans. SGM Williams is the creator and director of the Women's Veterans Museum in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania. She wanted to ensure the many women in the military were highlighted for their service and created a museum to build public awareness and educate the public on the women who have proudly served the nation.
The museum is filled with artifacts and memorabilia used and worn by women during their time in the military. Some of the items in the display cases are hers.

She thinks women veterans deserve more recognition. It's why she opened the museum. Walking into the Women Veterans and Military Family Services building in Mount Pocono, you'll find walls and cases filled with military memorabilia -- almost all of it, worn, given or used by women veterans.

"There are so many women that served in the military and they are not getting credit for their service or being featured anywhere. I wanted to highlight women and just to draw public awareness and educate the public that we have a lot of women who served in every branch of the military," said Sgt. Major Claudette Williams (Ret.), Museum Director.

"This museum is really to highlight and show society that we have a lot of women, brave women who served our country," said Sgt. Major Williams. Walking around the museum, you'll see clothing and equipment that dates back decades.Most of the items were donated. The place made its debut last Saturday. Williams says a lot of people have been taking note of the logo. It's a boot with a high heel inside. "The reason for that is because it shows how a woman can transition from one stage, the combat boot to the heels and we do it back and forth," said Sgt. Major Williams. Right now, the museum is only open Wednesday through Sunday. It doesn't cost anything to come in and take a walk around, but donations are greatly appreciated because it's that money that will keep this place going.

Sarah Roberts, Head of Military and Veteran Programs, is a female Veteran on a new mission. A West Point Academy graduate, with a master’s from Gonzaga, has been a part of leading teams and shaping initiatives at both Amazon and Microsoft and now finds herself leading a very important initiative at LinkedIn – the social network for professionals.

Last June, LinkedIn launched a partnership with the Department of Defense to provide LinkedIn Premium to military spouses during each permanent change of station (PCS) and once again upon conclusion of military service

Sarah Roberts is an example of how those who served in the military continue to make impact post military and why our female Veterans, despite still being underserved in many of the available benefits, have truly earned and deserve the full benefits and respect of a grateful nation.

Stacy got her start as an Air Force photographer at the age of 17. During her time in service, she traveled to over 41 countries, and attended the Military Photojournalism Program at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University from which she is a 50 Forward distinguished graduate.

During three combat tours, she earned the Bronze Star Medal and Air Force Commendation with Valor for combat actions in Iraq.

Though combat disabled and retired from military service, Pearsall has not let her disabilities hold her back, she continues to work worldwide as an independent photographer and is an author, educator, military consultant and founder of the Veterans Portrait Project.

She began the Veterans Portrait Project (VPP) as she recovered from combat injuries sustained in Iraq. Her military career was over, her body was broken and her spirit was crushed. She'd lost hope in her future, faith in herself and passion for life. While rehabilitating, she spent countless idle hours in VA waiting rooms surrounded by veterans from every generation and branch of service. They inspired her to pick up her camera again so that she could honor and thank them with the only gift she had worth giving, her photography.

Since taking her first portrait in late 2008, she has conducted more than 160 portrait engagements, traveled to 90 cities in 32 states and captured over 7,500+ veterans' portraits