Priscilla Adams stood before a room full of women veterans being honored on June 13th at the Claremore Veterans Home and reminded them that their stories, sacrifices, and voices matter. For far too long, she said, women veterans have been the ones left out of the conversation.
As the keynote speaker for the event, her own story began long before she put on a uniform. Her father was a Marine and taught her the value of discipline and hard work. He convinced her to join the Navy instead of the Air Force, something she still teases him about. Her mother was tough when it counted, but loved just as fiercely. Through 21 years of service, her husband and her family carried her. She said her husband made countless sacrifices for their family, often taking on the role of both parents when her military and professional responsibilities pulled her away. Her son, now 23, recently graduated from college after earning a football scholarship. Her daughter holds a brown belt in karate and wrestles for her high school team. She says she is a force to be reckoned with.
Adams is candid about what her service actually cost. In 2004, she deployed to Iraq supporting special operations with a helicopter squadron. Her son was only a one-year-old and just learning to walk. She stated that as a 22-year-old, the deployment was hard, frightening, and rewarding all at once. She witnessed combat, sacrifice, and the incredible bond shared by her brothers and sisters in arms who are all willing to do anything for each other. These are experiences that cannot truly be understood by someone who wasn’t there.
Her career wasn’t without its battles closer to home. She described serving
under a commanding officer who had a particular issue with women and would
berate her loud enough for the whole office to hear. At the time she was leading a
team of thirty sailors, a team that went on to pass every inspection and earned Command of the Year. Rather than let the commander’s behavior define her leadership, she chose restraint, and years later, when he asked her to speak at his retirement, she did so with grace. She reflected that true leadership is not about titles or circumstances, it’s about leading from the front, maintaining your integrity, and setting an example no matter what the situation.
Adams speaks with deep respect for the generations of women who served before her, many who did so quietly and without recognition. She sees it as her responsibility to help preserve their stories for the generations to come.
Having earned the rank of Chief Yeoman, when her Navy career ended, she found the transition to civilian life brought its own kind of challenge. The structure and identity the military gave her had to be rebuilt. She found it in a career as an HR Director, where
she says the skills she developed while wearing the uniform translated directly into civilian leadership.Those skills included communication, adaptability and conflict resolution.
Her service didn’t stop there. Today, she works as a Veteran Service Officer for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. She helps veterans and their families navigate the often confusing process of claiming the benefits they’ve earned. She is especially drawn to helping other women veterans. Sadly, she has found that many of them don’t even think of themselves as “veterans” in the same way men do, or they assume someone else needs the help more than them. Her work is incredibly rewarding. She enjoys being able to educate them about the benefits they have not only earned, but also deserve because they answered the call to serve our country.
At one point during her speech she asked the veterans in the room to stand. First those
who served during wartime, then overseas, then those who raised children while serving. Looking around at the women on their feet, she stated, “This is what strength and resilience looks like. This is the legacy of women veterans.”
Adams advised the young women actively serving now to share their story, offer guidance, and never underestimate the difference they can make from leading by example.
In addition to Adams, there were more than a dozen women veterans in attendance,
including two who reside at the Veterans Home. There were door prizes, a potluck luncheon and a full sheet cake for all to enjoy. The event was sponsored by the Claremore VFW Post 2976 Auxiliary and the American Legion Unit 141 Auxiliary. • story
by Jill Stephenson, contributing writer
