Black Magnolia l. Winkler first African-American female officer AANG

Maj. Magnolia L. Winkler

Guard wing's first African-American female officer blazed trail


	Maj. Magnolia L. Winkler had the distinction of being the first African-American female officer in the 189th Airlift Wing and the Arkansas Air National Guard. Since her groundbreaking efforts 15 years ago, other minorities have risen through the ranks on both the officer and enlisted sides.
	^TheDrop Zone

by Airman 1st Class Kayla K. Edwards
189th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

9/22/2008 - LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. -- Family members, peers, and friends attended the retirement ceremony of the first African-American female officer in the Arkansas Air National Guard Sept. 13.

Maj. Magnolia L. Winkler retired after serving for 30 years in the Arkansas Air National Guard, 15 of which she spent as an officer in the Arkansas ANG.

Maj. Winkler's retirement ceremony not only showcased the dedication and hard work she put into her military career, but it also marked a significant place in the history of the 189th Airlift Wing and the Arkansas Air National Guard.

Maj. Winkler was the first African-American female officer in the Arkansas Air National Guard. She graduated from the Academy of Military Science in Knoxville, Tenn., on September 30, 1993 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant.

However, she did not begin her military career as an officer. In August 1978, she enlisted in the Air National Guard as a traditional Guardsman. She worked in several capacities while enlisted, including working as an Operations Resource Management Specialist in
Current Operations, Scheduling and Plans in the 189th Operations Group, rising from one-striper to E-6.

"I recall an unforgettable conversation I had with Maj. Fred Smith in 1989. Fred was my supervisor in current operations," said Major Winkler in her speech.

"I asked Fred if he knew of any black female officers in the group who could mentor a couple of my friends who wanted to become officers. He leaned his head to the side, thought about it for a second and said 'No, I don't think we have any that I know of,'" she said.

Major Winkler said she went to the personnel office to verify and found there were no African-American female officers in the Arkansas Air National Guard at the time.

She said Major Smith encouraged her to pursue a commission. "He told me I should 'just do it,' a phrase my dad had been saying for years."

Major Winkler said the next five years of her life were challenging. Even though she didn't pass the Air Force Officer Qualification test the first time, she was determined to succeed and see her dream of becoming an officer realized.

Her contribution to the rich history and diversity of the 189 AW has provided a beacon of hope for young African-American females who aspire to become officers.

"Look for a mentor," she said. Major Smith was her mentor and showed her the ropes.

"There were no African-American female officers for me to emulate or ask for advice. Major Smith was my role model and he did a wonderful job. He really showed me the ropes and helped me along," she said.

She said it doesn't matter whether a mentor is the same gender or race, as long as they are a good role model.

"We have to lead by example. If you see a person out there who exudes the characteristics of a good mentor, ask for guidance and advice," she said.

Aside from mentorship, it took a strong will and can-do attitude on the major's part to break into the Arkansas Air National Guard's officer ranks.

"It wasn't long ago that the Arkansas Air Guard was an all-male, all-white organization," said Col. Jim Summers, 189th Airlift Wing commander and officiating officer, at the major's retirement ceremony. "It's been a generational change that's been rightly changing since the 1960s."

Major Winkler resides in Houston and will continue her civilian job as a property claims manager for Nationwide Insurance Company.

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by Chird Bobbitt