Remember those who influence our lives
Days at the office can be interesting and long. Some days I meet some awesome people who go above and beyond. I have meet so many people who contribute to education, community work, fundraisers, and more. But last week, I met a lady that gives back to people who taught her in Sunday school, grade school, high school, and college. The people who led, inspired, and encouraged her to move forward and make the right choices.
She had the most beautiful attitude, and her smile was contagious. Some of you may know her by Evelyn Vonn Banks.
She came by the office to pick up some papers that had an article about her annual teacher’s celebration. Banks has been celebrating her teachers for the past 22 years.
She said the event’s theme is what she meditate’s on all year, the most recent “Simply Blessed.”
I shared with her a bible verse from Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as your trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” She joined in as I was sharing.
“That is the verse I used in last year’s event,” Banks said.
Banks retired from the military after 30 years of honorable service as the senior most enlisted female in the United States Navy. She is the founder and CEO of Vonn Banks, LLC, a leadership business encompassing “Everything Leadership.” The company specializes in motivational speeches, keynote addresses, organizational leadership, conferences, workshops, and one-on-one coaching, tailored to meet the needs of leaders personally and professionally.
Banks moved up the promotion ladder and became the first female or first African American to serve in senior enlisted positions.
Being from a Navy family, I know how important it is to list the ships anyone has served on. Banks has served on five ships: USS Samuel Gompers, USS Arcadia, USS Decatur, USS Germantown, and the USS Abraham Lincoln.
Banks also served on land. She served at the United States Naval Academy and the Naval Sea Systems Command. She served three tours as a Navy Recruiter, Naval Air Station Adak Alaska, Diego Garcia, Navy’s Senior Enlisted Academy.
Banks earned many awards and decorations while on active duty, including the Legion of Merit (gold star); Meritorious Service Medal (gold star); Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four gold stars); Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five gold stars); Good Conduct Medal (four bronze stars); National Defense Service Medal (bronze star); Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.
She has earned three college degrees and is pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Organizational Leadership. She has been inducted into the Career Communications Group and Women of Color Hall of Fame.
God has let me meet many people, and I am fortunate to have met Banks, who is so grateful for those who taught and influenced her.
“My ultimate goal is to help direct and advise people into their God-ordained destinies,” Banks said.