On International Women’s Day, the Minnesota National Guard hosted an event at the St. Paul Armory.

Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. Lisa Erikson, Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the Minnesota National Guard, welcomed military and community members to the event to highlight and celebrate the accomplishments of the females serving in its ranks.

“You have to find your tribe or group who supports you and then build your team around that,” Erikson said.

As the first-ever Air Guard member and the second female to hold her current role, Erikson shared the spotlight with the many other female firsts to include Army Col. Jennifer Beck-Brown as the first Native American and female to serve as the Minnesota National Guard’s Staff Judge Advocate; Army Staff Sgt. Anhtuyet Phung as a first-generation American and the first female in her family to join the military; and many more outstanding women who are challenging standards and leading by example to make the Guard and our communities better places to work, live, and serve.

Erikson used to be a leader at the 148th Fighter Wing, before her promotion.