‘I just happened to be a woman’: Retired USAF General delivers keynote speech at McMurry Women’s Leadership Luncheon, 2 scholarships awarded

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – McMurry University celebrated Women’s History Month on Thursday with its Annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon. The luncheon recognized two scholarship winners and the testimony of a remarkable keynote speaker.

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Retired General Lori Robinson of Big Spring has been a major trailblazer for US Air Force (USAF) women, and is only one of eight in her rank, “I was the commander, I was a general, I was an airman, and I just happened to be a woman.”

Gen. Robinson told KTAB/KRBC it was difficult navigating the male-dominated field at first, but eventually found empowerment to continue.

“What I learned over time was that, just keep doing the things that you’ve been doing. Somebody put you there because they believed in you, and somebody believed in your capability. Don’t let all these other people get you down because it’s not worth your time and energy,” Gen. Robinson advised.

General Robinson was the first woman combatant commander in the US, leading international military operations NORAD and US Northern Command, named by former President Barack Obama to do so. Gen. Robinson was also recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people. Looking back on just these few accomplishments of many, she said it often doesn’t feel real.

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“I pinch myself sometimes, especially since I’ve retired,” Gen. Robinson smiled. “But then I want to make sure in events like these, can I give back? You know, because I did get to see things that most people didn’t, and certainly not most women.”

Two $5,000 scholarships are awarded each year at the Women’s Leadership Luncheon; one to a traditional-aged student and one to a non-traditional student. Among 40 applicants, Trista Brown and Mary Davis, respectively, were awarded the Dr. Sandra S. Harper Women’s Leadership scholarship.

Brown hails from Crosby in South Texas. She is a junior at McMurry majoring in Biology, and hopes to attend Texas A&M Veterinary School.

Davis is from Abilene and is in McMurry’s Aides to Teach program, studying Early Childhood Education. She began a career with Abilene ISD six years ago, working in the cafeteria, and has since been working her way up to become a teacher.

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