Women, Peace & Security Women in the Military: Lessons on Leading and Women’s Expanded Role in Combat

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18) and the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) are pleased to invite you to the latest installment of the bi-monthly “Women, Peace and Security” breakfast series, which explores current issues affecting women and girls in conflict and illuminates their determination and leadership to find peace. Each conversation is framed in the context of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and the U.S. Government’s National Action Plan on 1325.

“Women in the Military: Lessons on Leading” will explore how the United States Department of Defense implements the U.S. Government’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security at home and abroad. Panelists will place this discussion in the context of their personal leadership experiences in the military and provide comments on the Department of Defense’s historic December 2015 decision to open all combat roles to women.

Panelists will share their first-hand accounts of how and why women serve their country; highlight challenges the U.S. military and Congress may face when expanding women’s role in combat; and discuss how the U.S. military can better support the goals of the National Action Plan on 1325.

IFES President and CEO Bill Sweeney will provide opening remarks. The event will be moderated by Jessica Huber, IFES Senior Gender Specialist. Panelists include:

• Ellen Haring, Colonel (Retired), U.S. Army; Senior Fellow, Women in International Security
• Susan Lukas, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired), U.S. Air Force Reserve Command; Director, Legislative and Military Policy, Reserve Officers Association
• Carolyn J. Washington, Colonel (Retired), U.S. Army

A light breakfast will be served.

Feel free to follow this event’s conversation on Twitter @IFESGender and by searching #UNSCR1325.