SAINT PAUL, Minn. — In a field dominated by men, the Minnesota National Guard is celebrating women who are the "firsts" in what they do.
KARE 11's Michelle Baik spoke with three women who have made record strides in their career with the National Guard, setting an example for others in the field.
"When I came into our legal section, I was a paralegal, and there were no female attorneys, so no female judge advocates," Army Colonel Jennifer Beck-Brown said. As Minnesota's Staff Judge Advocate, the first female to hold the position, Beck-Brown practices a variety of law based on the needs of the state and country.
"The idea that I would be the first female was great, but really, I just wanted to be a judge advocate," she said.
Air Force Colonel Dana Novinskie agreed, being a "first" is only a fraction of her identity. Novinskie serves as the director of operations for both airlift wings in the state.
"I was concerned about doing my job and doing it the same as everybody else or better," she said. The pilot was also the first female commander of the 133rd Airlift Wing's 109th Airlift Squadron.
About 22% of soldiers and airmen at the Minnesota National Guard are female, which is nearly three times what it was a decade ago.
"I think we all recognize there can't be seconds and thirds until we have firsts," Novinskie said. "But what it really means to me is that we are part of an organization where they choose the right person for the job, and so that's progress."
Over the years, progress has shown up on other fronts, like at home.
"Growing up, there was always the traditional gender roles, right?" Army Staff Sergeant Anhtuyet Phung said.
With no other female servicemembers in her family, Staff Sgt. Phung redefined how she was seen.
"I don't want to hold myself back as well because I want it to have it all where I can get what I want," she said. "I could also be a good mother to my kid."
In what is, at times, a battle over labels, it takes an army of firsts to lead the charge.
"My whole life I've been female, so to me it's nothing new," Col. Novinskie said. "I suppose it's been men that have filled the roles before me. But now it's me, and there'll be other people after me."
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