HRDC highlights leader, celebrates Women’s Equality Day

  • Published
  • By Capt. Enrika Washington and Senior Airman Eboni E. Butler
  • 94th Airlift Wing Human Resource Development Council
Women's Equality Day is commemorated on August 26 and marks the day in 1920 when women in America were given full voting rights under the U.S. constitution. The passage of the 19th Amendment under President Truman's tenure ensured the voice of women is indeed a right versus a privilege and will be heard.

Members of the 94th Airlift Wing Human Resource Development Council had the opportunity to interview Maj. Gen. Stayce D. Harris, 22nd Air Force commander, and pioneer in her own right. She discusses her love and compassion for service, and what it means to be an Airman, mentor and leader.


Harris' admiration of the Armed Forces began with her father, a retired technical sergeant who served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and envisioned working in the field of industrial engineering.

While on her first overseas flight to Japan as a child, Harris passed out wings to the passengers and her dream to wear a set of wings herself began. She was awarded an engineering then pilot scholarship after her AFROTC instructor encouraged her to compete.

"If you expose people to opportunities at an early age, you can be instrumental in shaping their career," said Harris.

Harris explained becoming the 22nd Air Force commander has brought her enormous joy not because of the job title, but the concept of serving Airmen at the "grass-root" level. "If you take care of your Airmen, they will take care of the mission," she said.

Throughout her career, Harris has been inspired by a number of people. During World War II, a select group of young female pilots, named the Women Air Force Service Pilots, were the first women in history trained to fly American military aircraft.

"You don't have to interact with people every day for them to have a profound impact on your career," said Harris. "Many women have blazed the trail for future generations of Airmen."

The general cited several women who have made an impact on her to include Maj. Gen. (Ret) Irene Trowell-Harris, Ed.D., the first African American general officer in the National Guard, Gen. Betty Mullis, a fellow pilot and the first female wing commander of an Air Force Reserve unit, and Bessie Coleman, the first African American female pilot.
Harris reflects on a quote by the late Maya Angelou, "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude about it."

"Obstacles and challenges in my life have made me a better person, Airman, mentor and leader," Harris said.

She applauds the HRDC for being a change agent.

"HRDC can bring people together from all sectors of the military," she said. "It is a magnet for people to network, grow, and see what success looks like." It's all in the name, developing the human resource.

In celebration of this year's Women's Equality Day, Harris would like to share her motto: "Continue to soar" and encourage Airmen to inspire and believe in their dreams.