Defense Women’s Advisory Committee Adds New Members

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 29, 2013 – Six new appointees have joined the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, according to a Defense Department news release issued today.

DACOWITS members include prominent civilian women and men representing a distribution of demography, academia, industry, public service and other professions, according to the release. Selection is on the basis of experience in the military or with women's-related workforce issues.

"The committee's work continues to be vital to the Department of Defense, especially as we move forward integrating women into previously closed occupational specialties and units within the U.S. military," Acting Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Jessica L. Wright stated in the release. "I am thankful for the service of these new committee members as they join the ranks of those who have been catalysts for change in our Armed Forces."

The committee, established during the Korean War in 1951 by Secretary of Defense George C. Marshall, is an independent advisory committee that provides the department with advice and recommendations on matters and policies relating to the recruitment and retention, treatment, employment, integration, and well-being of highly qualified professional women in the Armed Forces.

Previously comprised of 11 members, the 2013 charter authorizes a total of 20 committee members.
The incoming members include:
-- Retired Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Bernise Belcer, Columbia, S.C.;
-- Teresa Christenson, Newport, R.I.;
-- Retired Coast Guard Capt. Beverly Kelley, Chester, Md.;
-- Rev. Dr. Cynthia Lindenmeyer, La Vista, Neb.;
-- Donna McAleer, Park City, Utah; and
-- Retired Army Lt. Col. Hae-Sue Park, Springfield, Va.

DACOWITS members are selected for a four-year term, without compensation, to perform a variety of duties including visiting military installations each year, conducting a review and evaluation of current research on military women, and developing an annual report with recommendations on these issues for service leadership and the secretary of defense.