Retired Air Force colonel to speak on Iraq, women in military

January 19, 2007

GAINESVILLE –– Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Kim Olson will speak on “Iraq and Back: Inside the War to Win the Peace” at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 24, in the Grand Ballroom of the Reitz Student Union. Olson’s talk is sponsored by the University of Florida International Center in conjunction with ACCENT Speaker’s Bureau and Student Government.

Olson, a highly decorated military leader and winner of the 2000 Good Housekeeping Award for Women in Government, will address her strategies for success and lessons learned as she balanced roles as a senior military officer, pilot, wife and mother. She also will talk about the devastation she witnessed in this war-torn country, while also reflecting on the internal struggles she faced as a woman and leader in the military.

As part of the Air Force’s first generation of female jet pilots, Olson describes her experience working with women on two continents and her discoveries about the benefits of their different leadership styles.

“In my experience, I have seen that a balance of leadership styles is invaluable to a successful military operation. The unique perspective and skills of women broaden the leadership spectrum and can create unparalleled opportunities for the future of our society,” Olson said.