Title: Life as a Female Paratrooper
Description: Kerry Stillwell was in the Army from 1978-1981 and was one of the last of the Women’s Army Corps during basic training. Her military occupational specialty was “parachute rigger,” which meant she went straight to Jump School after basic. This transition for Stillwell happened right as the Women’s Army Corps was disbanded, so she was in the first non-modified, non-segregated class in Jump School’s history, meaning she was one of the first women to graduate jump school alongside men. Kerry will share here story and offer some thoughts for today’s business world.
Bio: Kerry Stillwell is a U.S. Army veteran, paratrooper, and former parachute rigger who helped break barriers for women in the military. In 1978, she was one of five women to enter the first non-modified, non-segregated Army Jump School class, training alongside more than 400 men. She went on to become an Honor Graduate of Parachute Rigger School, serve in heavy-drop operations at Fort Bragg.
After leaving the Army, Kerry built a successful 34-year career with UPS. Through her story, Kerry shares lessons in resilience, courage, leadership, preparation, and what it means to keep moving forward when others question whether you belong.