Photo Information

The Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Glenn M. Walters poses for a photo with women attending the 2018 Joint Women's Leadership Symposium, San Diego, Calif., June 22, 2018. JWLS is the largest annual gathering of women in uniform in the nation hosted by the Sea Service Leadership Association, and is dedicated to providing preemient professional development events to women serving in the Department of Defense and Coast Guard.

Photo by Cpl. Hailey Clay

Women Marines unite in San Diego

24 Jun 2018 | Sgt. Brytani Wheeler The Official United States Marine Corps Public Website

The 31st Annual Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium kicked off Thursday, June 21, at the San Diego Convention Center where more than 1200 service members gathered to discuss current issues in the military. The Marine Corps sent more than 200 officer and enlisted Marines, more than three times previous years, coinciding with the Marine Women’s Centennial.

Hosted by the Sea Service Leadership Association, the event brought together women from all U.S. service branches and 20 other countries. The theme of the symposium, "The Power Within You," included question and answer panels, service-specific breakout sessions and lengthy discussions with the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Glenn M. Walters and the Commander of Marine Forces Cyber Command, Maj. Gen. Lori M. Reynolds, the Corps’ senior female Marine. 

Reynolds expressed the ultimate goal of the symposium is for women Marines to be encouraged and reminded they are not alone.

“Being a woman in this organization is not always easy, so it helps to have somebody out there fighting for you and with you,” said Reynolds. “This is an opportunity that you can make your voice matter."

Walters thanked everyone, including the few men in the crowd, for attending and spoke about the distinct value of women in the military.

“All women serving are unique,” said Walters. “Throughout our history you’ve always been volunteers.” 

Walters discussed benefits of the Marine Corps’ recent policy change which opened the door for women to join combat military occupational specialties. 

“Integration is not only the right thing to do, integration is essential to winning our nation’s battles to maintain our freedom, all in an environment where only 29% of our population is qualified to serve,” said Walters.

In addition to the symposium, Thursday evening Walters joined the Women’s Museum of California in their celebration of “100 years of women serving in the Marine Corps.” Walters, on behalf of the Marine Corps, presented artwork to the museum, inscribed with “Honoring the thousands of women who earned the title Marine.” The art will be displayed at the museum, located in downtown San Diego.

The Women’s Museum of California is located at 2730 Historic Decatur Road, Suite 103 San Diego, CA 92106
For more information visit: http://womensmuseumca.org/