Legalman 1st Class Keia Greenwood – a member of the Navy JAG community, who has been attached to the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) since September 2017 – played a critical role in the planning of the inaugural "Women Trailblazing at Sea" symposium on March 13.
At the event, which was held at Fleet Activities Yokosuka’s Chapel of Hope, approximately 200 female Yokosuka Sailors enjoyed an opportunity to network, learn and empower each other. The symposium featured topics ranging from women’s U.S. Naval history, to career success tips from female Navy leaders, as well as discussion groups and mentoring opportunities.
When asked what her event planning efforts entailed, Greenwood said, “Honestly, if you name it, I was doing it!”
“Our command’s chaplain and our executive officer gave me lots of guidance and assistance, but the majority of the work fell on me to get it done,” she said. “As president of the Diversity Committee, I was able to bounce ideas off them and delegate some of the taskers, and that was very helpful … It was a lot coordinating on my part, but it was an amazing turn-out.” Greenwood also is the founder of the Ronald Reagan's Nancy's Real Talk No Rank Women’s Group, which she calls her best overall experience aboard the ship. The symposium was a joint effort between that group and the Diversity Committee. “I have learned so much and mentored a lot of Sailors through the Real Talk group,” said Greenwood. “I am a social butterfly, so leading these groups has given me time to socialize and realize I am not alone when it comes to different obstacles we may run in to while being forward deployed carrier.” When speaking during the symposium, the command’s chaplain offered inspiring words to her female shipmates. “The number one key message here is that you are not alone,” said Cmdr. Jennifer Bowden, chaplain for the Ronald Reagan and Commander Task Force (CTF) 70. “The second [key message] for me, is that your potential is untapped. You determine your own course and we are here to help you branch out with your thinking and dreaming.”