Episode 65 Military Mom Rises And Leads with Col. (Ret.) Mary Westmoreland
Although the Brookings Institution refers to the us military as “one of the most progressive institutions” women still represent only about 17% of overall service members, and far less in the top brass - single digits.
Col. (Ret.) Mary Westmoreland is one of those women who rose to high ranks. She joins TBD to tell her story, why and when she joined the military, how she rose through the ranks while raising a family . . . and what she learned about leadership, success, whether the military is a good career for women, and so much more . . .
Episode recorded October 4, 2023
Mary’s Bio
Col. (Ret.) Mary Westmoreland is a decorated combat veteran and a native New Yorker. She served in both the US Coast Guard and US Army and retired in the rank of Colonel after over 31 active military service on October 8, 2008.
Currently, she serves as the NYC Area Chair and NY State Vice Chair of the Department of Defense Employer Support to Guard and Reserve. Mary is President of the Association of the United States Army, Greater New York City Statue of Liberty Chapter which covers Westchester, New York City and Long Island. She too, is a respected national and local influencer; often called upon as a keynote presenter on women, military, Veterans and community affairs – locally and in Washington, D.C.
Col. (Ret.) Westmoreland is the President of the Association of US Army Greater NY- Statue of Liberty Chapter. An active member of the Board of Directors of the Navy League NY Council. A longtime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Legislative Liaison for the Military Officers Association of America NY Lower Hudson Valley. Member of the Board of Directors of the United War Veterans Council (Producers of the New York City Veterans Day Parade.)
She is a former National Chairwoman of the Secretary of the United States Veterans Affairs’ Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, Washington DC, and was a committee member for five years.
Col. (Ret.) Westmoreland’s military career encompasses command positions and operational and higher staff levels with the Military Police Corps and higher headquarters levels. She has held various senior leadership appointed positions as Executive Officer and Director positions at the HQ Dept of the Army. Mary has also served at the Pentagon as Executive Director of Global Services and Executive Officer to the Chief of Army Reserve immediately after 9/11 as well as Deputy Director of Reserve Component Policy and Mobilization for Headquarters, Department of the Army.
Military awards she has received include: two Legions of Merit; a Bronze Star; and five Meritorious Service Medals.
In 2020 she was placed in the NY State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame. Currently she serves on the Women Veterans Advisory Committee, appointed by Gov Hochul.
Col. (Ret.) Westmoreland was born and raised in Brooklyn NY. She is a graduate of Pace University and of the U.S. Army War College. Mary is married to Gene Westmoreland, a professional sports administrator and writer. They reside in Westchester County, NY.
Connect with Mary on Linked In
Mary’s Recommends:
Men and Women of the Corporation: New Edition by Rosabeth Moss Kanter (1993)
Additional Reading:
Moves Forum featuring Col. Ret. Westmoreland
Dillon, Connie (2021, September 8) Fort Hamilton celebrates Women’s Equality Day. army.mil
Robinson, Lori & O’Hanlon, Michael E. (2020, May) Women Warriors- The Ongoing Story of Integrating and Diversifying the American Armed Forces. brookings.edu
Cisneros, Gilbert R. (2023, February 27) 2023 Department of Defense National Women’s History Month Observation. mediadefense.gov
Moore, Emma (2020, March 31) Women in Combat: Five-Year Status Update. cnas.org