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Breakfast hosts first female chaplain

  • Published
  • By Janet Taylor-Birkey
  • 27th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, NM --  Introduced by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Robert Gallagher as the first female chaplain in the armed services and the first female chief of chaplains: an officer "with a wise and loving heart of a pastor," retired Maj. Gen. Lorraine Potter addressed more than 150 military members and civilians at the annual Prayer Breakfast, Feb. 1 at The Landing.

Her entry into the military chaplaincy was not without setbacks. Feeling the need to enter the military chaplaincy, Mrs. Potter wrote a letter to see if it was possible for a woman to serve in the military chaplaincy. She had to give up that idea, because she met all the requirements except one: she was not a man.

Receiving a second letter about two weeks later, Mrs. Potter thought it was a duplicate. However, she found it held news that would change the face of her military service and ministry: the federal law had changed and women could now apply for a chaplaincy position.

Mrs. Potter's 31 year career took her to the Pentagon as an Air Force Chief of Chaplains. Now retired, Mrs. Potter said her current mission is to be a cheerleader and mentor for military members and continually reminds Airmen and civilians that each is unique and "all are essential to fulfilling the mission of the wing."

But she knows the mission of the wing is far from easy. "Our world continues to be a dangerous and hostile place to live," said Mrs. Potter. Quoting the Star-Spangled Banner, she reminded Airmen of the changes and risks involved with their way of life. She encouraged military members and civilians alike that the song that was destined to become the national anthem was "written when the enemy had our forces in bad straits."

Mrs. Potter was presented with a check from Col. Valentino Bagnani III, 27th Fighter
Wing vice-commander, payable to her favorite charity, Women United in Ministry, a mentoring group for women in military chaplaincy.
There are currently fewer than 30 women serving in the Air Force chaplaincy. One, Chaplain (Capt.) Eusebia Rios, is stationed here.

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