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VOL. 2/ISSUE 48
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2014
Former 1-star — now ‘Star 1’ — faced hurdles, had ‘secret’ mentors Mary Kemper STAFF WRITER
mkemper@veteranvoiceweekly.com
She’s diminutive — only about 5 feet or so tall — with sparkling green eyes and closely-cropped hair. She’s friendly, a devout Christian and a member of a motorcycle club, going by the moniker “Star 1.” It takes people by surprise when they learn that Mary A. Epps, Melbourne, served as a brigadier general in the Air Force. As an African-American woman, Epps faced a potential “double whammy” in terms of possible racism and sexism directed against her — but she had a kind of “secret weapon” working on her behalf, enabling her to excel in her job with the Connecticut Air National Guard, ultimately as its deputy adjutant for Air. Along the way, she became the first African-American female to achieve the rank of colonel and brigadier general in the history of the Connecticut National Guard. A recipient of numerous awards, Epps was certainly no “affirmative action” choice to rise through the ranks. She has 45 years as a perioperative (operating room) nurse, and 26 years in service, most of which at the command or upper management levels. She is nothing if not determined. As a black officer, Epps said it was always her dream to work for equal opportunity in the military, and when the time came for her to become the Air National Guard Advisor at the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute at Patrick Air Force Base, it was a dream fulfilled. “At that time, it was the only equal opportunity government school in the country,” Epps said. “I always wanted to do equal opportunity, and I had that opportunity. “It changed my life. And it changed the way I thought about a lot of different things.” How so? Much had to do with the unexpected, behind-the-scenes help alluded to earlier. “There were mentors I didn’t even know I had,” Epps said. “White men — making sure I got the
Staff photo by Mary Kemper Former Air Force Brig. Gen. Mary A. Epps, Melbourne, helps out at the recent Friends and Family Day conducted by the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club of Central Florida in Rockledge. recognition I earned on my career path.” These men recognized effort, and rewarded it, disregarding prejudice, she said. As a Christian, Epps also credits the Almighty with giving her strength to overcome all obstacles. “For me, divine guidance has always been key,” she said. “I pray for that every single day.” One hurdle to overcome was educational, for Epps, and it was overcome with the help of one of the “white mentors” and, perhaps, the guiding hand from above. “In the military, continuing education must be done in order to get promoted. I wanted to go to Air War College. Like everyone else, I had to prepare a lot of paperwork. “I sent in applications three times before it got approved. The first two times my paperwork was ‘mysteriously’ lost — at the time, I was one of the few, if not the only, African-American female officers.
“I think he took a gamble.” Retired Brig. Gen. Mary A. Epps, on former Brig. Gen. George Demers, who signed off on Epps’ application to Air War College “The third time, I (personally) walked the application in to the general’s (Brig. Gen. George Demers) office, and spoke with him about it. “He signed it, and it went back through the chain. When they (administrative personnel) saw his name on it, they knew he was waiting to see the results. “I think he took a gamble. Some people didn’t want me to be (accepted), and he overruled them. “If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t have been there.”
See STAR page 3