Guardian of the Week – LCDR Elizabeth Booker

Friday, July 23, 2010

Posted by: Dan Bender

Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth Booker is the operations officer at Air Station Los Angeles. Photo courtesy Air Station Los Angeles

Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth Booker is the operations officer at Air Station Los Angeles. Photo courtesy Air Station Los Angeles

The pressures of military service can exacerbate the unique challenges women face, especially motherhood.  Our Guardian of the Week has worked tirelessly as a leader and mentor to bring awareness to these areas within the Coast Guard aviation community.

Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth Booker is frequently called on by senior aviators for advice on balancing the needs of the Coast Guard with women’s issues said Capt. Steven Reynolds, chief of Officer Personnel Management and Booker’s previous supervisor.

“Lieutenant Commander Booker is leading the charge for educating the Coast Guard on issues faced by female aviators and crewmembers,” he said.  “If I could have a hundred of her I would.  The Coast Guard would be a better place.”

She has spent a lot of time bringing light to women’s issues by organizing conference participation, coordinating surveys to identify areas for improvement and spending countless hours mentoring and counseling members both on and off duty.  But her greatest contribution is likely a book she authored unofficially known as “The Mom Book.”

All new Coast Guard moms in the aviation community receive a copy.  It’s a simple but powerful collection of stories about aviation and pregnancy as told by their fellow female fliers.

“It definitely gave me good perspective on the way other pilots approached motherhood,” said Lt. Laura Holveck, a pilot at Air Station Atlantic City, N.J.  “Having lots of different opinions helped me form my own.”

Holveck has shared the book with friends of her own who have contemplated pregnancy.

“Everyone agrees that the book is a nice tool,” she said.  “She’s very helpful and has a strong voice.  We appreciate her being an advocate for the female pilots behind her.”

Now the operations boss at Air Station Los Angeles, Booker is already impressing her new command.

“She’s incredibly motivated,” said Cmdr. William Sasser, executive officer at the air station.

Her story is even more inspirational considering what she has done to get where she is today.

After earning a GED, Booker enlisted and entered the service as a humble non-rate and went on to earn her college degree, accede into the officer corps and eventually study at Harvard said Sasser.

“It just shows how hard work pays off,” he said.

Thank you for your service Lt. Cmdr.  Your contributions have affected more Coast Guard families than you will likely ever know.  Bravo Zulu!

Booker receives the Captian Stratton Award from Rear Adm. Cari Thomas at the Sea Service Leadership Association Woman's Symposium in Washington. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Victoria Bonk.

Booker receives the Captain Stratton Award from Rear Adm. Cari Thomas at the Sea Service Leadership Association Woman's Symposium in Washington. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Victoria Bonk.

Do you know a Coastie that has done something great for the service, the missions or the public? Please submit your nominations for Guardian of the Week using the submit link on the right.

  • Chris Hulser

    …having worked for, flown with, learned from, and known “Liz” for over a decade – a more deserving person could not have been recognized here. How fitting…at the same time that we honored our CG SPARS during the First Lady’s Christening of the STRATTON, Liz is being honored for her continuing work to our service…awesome!

  • Amy Goodpaster Strebe

    LCDR Elizabeth Booker is a true inspiration to aviators and non-aviators alike. It has been a real privilege for me getting to know her over the years. Liz is an incredible role model and her energy and “joie de vivre” is contagious. She is very deserving of this recognition by her peers. Congratulations Liz!

  • Erica

    Liz is an amazing person with many titles; mom, wife, officer, aviator etc. She handles it all with such class and has always been selfless in her attempt to help others.

  • Michael Rodriguez

    Soy fiel admirador de los trabajadores de la guardia costera de los estados unidos mi deceo es algun dia ser parte de ustedes.

  • Jim Scheye

    What a great honor for LCDR Liz Booker.

    Having worked with her in a variety of of teams and projects, I can heartily agree with CAPT Reynolds’ comments. She is the consummate team player who can pull out the strength of each player and keep it a team approach.

    Liz serves as a role model for any and every Coast Guardsman.

  • Matt Rother

    Liz will go a long way in the Coast Guard. I look forward to seeing her rise in the ranks and do great things. Way to go Liz!

  • http://www.uscg.mil CDR Laura Thompson

    Congratulations Liz!
    You are an inspiration and a hero. It is an honor to serve and fly with you. Thank you for all the behind the scene work you do for so many Coasties and our families.