Chief Legalman (Information Warfare) Stephani Pavoni was honored as the Military Woman of the Year for the State of Rhode Island in a ceremony on Naval Station Newport in June.
Pavoni earned the annual award from Military Women Across the Nation (MWAN), Ocean State Unit 118, an organization dedicated to the encouragement of patriotism, loyalty, and devotion to God, country, and family. The group is formerly known as WAVES National.
"I was beyond humbled to have even been nominated, and I am now honored to have won this prestigious award," said Pavoni. "Everything that I have accomplished this past year has been done with an end state goal of wanting to make a difference in the lives of others, enhancing the mission of the Navy and the Judge Advocate General's Corps, and being the best mother and wife possible."
Pavoni, who is an instructor at the Naval Justice School (NJS), was addressing a gathering of over 30 MWAN Unit #118 members; colleagues from NJS; guests from the Rhode Island Department of Veterans Affairs; Veterans Administration; Veterans of Foreign Wars; New England MWAN Unit #158 and relatives. This is the twenty-sixth year the RI MWAN Unit #118 has honored one outstanding active duty military woman selected from throughout the state of Rhode Island in recognition of outstanding individual achievements and service to community and country.
Active-duty members from all branches of military service were eligible for consideration including Rhode Island National Guard and Air National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard and active reservists. Consideration of the award included military bearing, performance, specific accomplishments, involvement in extra professional activities, both in service and in the community. The honor was accompanied by many citations from government officials from her hometown of Georgia to include Nathan Deal (Georgia Governor) and Johnny Isakson (Senior U.S. Senator from Georgia), and many citations from Rhode Island government officials to include Gina Raimondo (Rhode Island Governor), Jack Reed (U.S. Senator from Rhode Island), James Langevin (U.S. Representative for Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district), and many of Rhodes Island legislative leaders.