The Women Veterans ROCK! Advocacy Campaign for Women Veterans and Military Families announced today that Captain Demetria Elosiebo has been named Women Veterans ROCK!’s 2016 Woman Veteran Honoree of the Year.
Captain Demetria Elosiebo, the first female African-American pilot in D.C. National Guard history, at Fort Belvoir. (Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post)
Each year, the Women Veterans ROCK! Veterans Day Rally and Celebration in Washington, D.C. puts a female face on Veterans Day by honoring Women Veterans who have served and passed on, as well as those who have served and live on.
This year, Women Veterans ROCK! recognized District of Columbia National Guard Captain Demetria Elosiebo for her eight years of military service, her commitment to excellence, and her leadership among America’s Military Women.
“The Women Veterans ROCK! Advocacy Campaign is dedicated to supporting Women Veterans who work to overcome social and economic barriers,” said Deborah Harmon-Pugh, National Campaign Chair of Women Veterans ROCK! “Captain Demetria Elosiebo’s service and accomplishments as the first African American female pilot in the D.C. National Guard embody all of the characteristics that are demonstrated by the Woman Veteran Honoree of The Year and we are happy to honor her today.”
To Captain Elosiebo, the award was a surprise and a joy because she believes that her story is but one of many significant life stories that can empower other military personnel and civilians.
“It is such an honor to be chosen to represent veteran women all over the world this year,” said Captain Elosiebo. “I hope to encourage other women and men that are also striving for their dreams to never lose hope, they are created for a purpose!”
District of Columbia City Councilmember Mary Cheh of Ward 3 presented Captain Elosiebo with the 2016 Honoree of the Year Award during Women Veterans ROCK!’s annual Veterans Day Rally & Town Hall Celebration at George Washington University on November 11, 2015.
Captain Demetria Elosiebo’s Speech
Featured Photo by Justin Turner, DC Media Connection.
About Captain Demetria Elosiebo
In 2007, Demetria Elosiebo was chosen for a scholarship to ExpressJet’s ERJ 145 Systems Course, then secured a position with the second Air National Guard in July 2007, and earned Air Force commission in April 2008 through the Academy of Military Science. In May 2014, Elosiebo graduated from Army flight school, becoming the first African American female aviator in the history of the DCNG. In November 2014, Elosiebo was assigned to fly as Commander, Det 1 A Company 1st Battalion, 1-224th Aviation Regiment for DCNG. CPT Elosiebo currently flies the KingAir 90 (BE9L) for the United States Forest Service.
About Women Veterans ROCK!
“Women Veterans ROCK!” is a Coalition of Women Veteran Organizations and Women Advocacy Organizations Supporting Women Veterans & Military Families. Women Veterans ROCK! Advocacy Campaign is sponsored by The Healthy Caregiver Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community organization headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Visit www.WomenVetsRock.org.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Women Veterans ROCK! Public Affairs
Email: Info@womenvetsrock.org
Office: (215) 836-4262
