NEW ORLEANS --
Brig. Gen. Helen G. Pratt, commanding general of Force Headquarters Group, Marine Forces Reserve and
President of Marine Corps University, conducted a leadership workshop at
The Mission Continues first Women
Veterans Leadership Summit at the Four Points Sheraton hotel in New Orleans, April
3, 2016. TMC is a nonprofit organization
that aids post-9/11 veterans in gaining
a better foothold in civilian life.
The summit identified women
veterans’ military service as well as their continued service within their
communities. During her workshop Pratt covered topics such as the unique
challenges women leaders face, the value
women veterans bring to improving their communities and how to be an effective leader.
“My focus was on leadership; what it means, what type of characteristics
individuals have and what kind of skills they need to have,” said Pratt. “I
wanted them to assess themselves to see if they thought they were good leaders
or not, and if not, why, so they can focus on their strengths and weaknesses.”
Pratt’s workshop had the women
conduct exercises such as creating a “human knot” to show how each leader
communicates differently as well as performing various open discussions. At the
end of her workshop, Pratt encouraged each woman to recognize and embrace each
of their individual leadership styles.
“Just the fact that you’re here makes you a leader,” said Pratt. “Be
yourself, recognize your strengths, be confident in your ability lead and hold
yourself accountable.”
The first TMC Women Veterans Leadership Summit is yet another step
forward in bringing awareness to the individual needs of female veterans as
well as empowering them with knowledge they can apply in their everyday lives.