By Damita Miller-Shanklin

Eliza Edwards is a veteran of the United States Air Force. She shares a small snapshot about her time in the military. This is what she had to say during our conversation.

Edwards remember graduating from high school wondering what was ROTC about but decided to go to college. After graduating from college feeling lost and stuck Edwards decided to explore what the Armed Forces had to offer. She joined the United States Air Force in 1982. It was a great opportunity to add another degree to her education, receiving on the job training, and she was willing to serve the country and be paid. “I had finally figured out my career path in life.” says Edwards.

After serving, adjusting to civil life was quite abrasive. Time had moved on and to readjust as a civilian was strange. Edwards found it hard to put into words. She met her civilian life as a married women and a 18 month old baby. Edwards gave up her career and the military community for better or worst and wondered now what? She went from living in New Jersey to Spain to Nebraska. “She did learn how to make quick decisions in the USAF and really manifest that skill in her civilian life,” she shares.

As far as services that were available to her, Edwards shared she mainly took advantage of buying two homes using the veteran loans. Her final thoughts on her being a Black woman veteran is she does have a flag that will be coming her way eventually for the time she spent in the military.

Veterans being women or men have different experiences while serving in our U.S. military. No one has the same journey or outcome. We see this in our homeless populations and those who have stayed in the military and made a career until they retire. But in regards to black women serving and despite their experiences, we salute them and we appreciate their service and sacrifice.

Ujima thanks, especially black women, who served our country so we can remain living in a democracy.

Thank You For Your Service