Active Warren community leader honored

  • Published
  • By Airman Alex Martinez
  • 90th Space Wing Public Affairs
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  A Warren member received the annual National Distinguished Leadership award for her outstanding community involvement and leadership achievements in the past year. 

Mary Brown, 90th Force Support Squadron and a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, received the award May 30 at the Leadership Cheyenne graduation ceremony. 

The award is presented to a selected Leadership Cheyenne graduate who does an outstanding job in civic involvement and trusteeship. Ms. Brown graduated from the Leadership Cheyenne program in 2002. 

"It's an honor to win this award," Ms. Brown said. "I was truly surprised." 

Ms. Brown attributes her success and winning the award to community involvement. 

"One of the biggest things [for winning this award] is your level of community involvement," she said. "And one of the biggest things for the Leadership Cheyenne is giving back to the community." 

Ms. Brown is involved in many different organizations in the community. She is active in the 0-0-1-3 working group that is aimed at deterring irresponsible drinking, the Cheyenne Tobacco Coalition, Cheyenne Meth Initiative, the State Incentive grant for Substance Abuse Prevention and is involved in Red Ribbon Week activities that promote awareness of substance abuse. 

"I do community activities for self satisfaction," Ms. Brown said. "I see issues; I want to see positive results so we don't have to work with the problems." 

When the time came for the nation to choose its "All American Cities" in 2005, Ms. Brown was a big player in Cheyenne's nomination and selection as one of the top 30 finalists. 

On top of all the community activities Ms. Brown is involved in, she works as a family and life skills consultant and the manager of Warren's transition assistance program.
Ms. Brown retired in 1998 from the Air Force and said her time in the service really contributed to where she is today and helped with accomplishments she reaches, including the leadership award. 

"Being in the military has really helped me along the way," Ms. Brown said. "The one thing I learned in the military is to never let lack of rank stop you from accomplishing missions." 

One perk of winning the award is the opportunity to attend the National Leadership Conference, which will be held next year. 

Whether in the eyes of her peers on base or in the community, leadership is number one to Ms. Brown. 

"As long as you're working on a great team with great people, no task is really 'hard,'" Ms. Brown said.