Education center honors women in service

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mike Smith
  • I.G. Brown Training and Education Center
LOUISVILLE, Tenn. --  Women assigned to the Air National Guard’s I.G. Brown Training and Education Center took a moment on campus for a photograph March 19 to honor Women’s History Month on McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in East Tennessee.

The education center celebrates its 50th anniversary in July, which includes women throughout that history.

Nearly two dozen women serve currently as leadership, instructors, curriculum developers, administrative technicians, broadcasters, and mission support.

Initially, Mrs. Billie Laux was assigned as the academy secretary in 1968 and served for many years. The first women to attend NCO academy was Staff Sgt. Mary Loy. The first woman training officer was Capt. Nancy Graf, who instructed her first Academy of Military Science flight in 1973.

The first woman Commandant was Chief Master Sgt. Jayne E. Shorey, assigned October 1990 to August 1993. Others were, Chief Master Sgt. Jenny L. Smith, 1999 to 2000; Chief Master Sgt. Deborah F. Davidson, 2007 to 2011; and interim commandant Chief Master Sgt. Christine Shawhan, 2015.

The first women Commander was Col. Barbara A. Eager, assigned August 2002 to May 2006. Others were Col. Jessica Meyeraan, 2014 to 2016; and Col. Kerry Lovely, current commander.