Cheddar News marked Women's History Month in March, celebrating the achievements and risks taken by women who have become trailblazers in history.

On a Positive Note

On A Positive Note: Women's History Month 

Mhm. We're closing out Women's History Month. On a positive note, it's so important to celebrate women's achievements, to increase visibility and also to call out inequality. And that's what we're doing, celebrating achievements I advanced because every time an opportunity was given to me, I took it and I was afraid, but fear is different than risk shining a spotlight on trail blazers. I think I would tell my younger self that it's possible and those shattering glass ceilings, us women can actually do a man's job, but there's still work to do at the end of the day, it is so important to have more women and people of color. And at the decision making table across the globe are leaving their marks on the world. This one's an ode to girl power. This old idea that women are incredible and we can do anything. We put our minds to today. Good news does exist and you've come to the right place to find it. It's time for, on a positive note. Hm. Hello, my friend and thanks for being here, I'm Jordan and you're watching on a positive note where good news does exist and today's episode is special. I mean, they're all special. But today, in particular, because for those who may not know, March marks women's history month. So today on a positive note, we are closing out the month with a bang. We're shining a spotlight on women from all around our communities who are leading the pack and making a difference. Well, on that note, let's get the celebration started. Shall we? We are heading to ST Air National Guard Base where one high ranking military leader is proving that anything boys can do, girls can do too. She's breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes all while inspiring other female aviators across the nation. Take a look. A lot of training goes to being prepared. It's an incredible journey and I wouldn't have given up for the world. Her name is Major General Denise John and this is her first sit down interview since becoming the first female ever to lead the largest Air National Guard in the United States. Yes, no pressure. Our morning begins. We're going to go into the airplane with a tour and you can set up here too if you want. You don't have to ask me twice of ac 17 Globe master have a seat with a storied past. This thing is massive. It is a big, big aircraft. We can put seats on the floor that would replicate an airline. So for example, when we evacuated people from Afghanistan, they were what we call floor loaded. You heard right. This is the actual cargo plane that came under fire during the chaotic rescues at the Kabul airport two years ago when split second decisions made by the pilots Donald now commands helped Afghan allies escape the grip of the Taliban. This was the refugees' first taste of freedom. Yes, it was emotional. It was not only making a lot of decisions in a chaotic environment, you know, they were getting shot at and then you're taking, you're instructed with taking care of hundreds and hundreds of people. It was a very, very difficult three weeks. Another one of Donald's elite units even found themselves unexpectedly assisting in the takedown of the rumored Chinese spy balloon. They shot at a few weeks ago. I have seen it in the faces of our airmen, how proud they are. That pride and that competence is powerful, but leadership in the face of danger and risk is where this highly decorated military aviator thrives and her vast experience kicks in Don has flown 4.5 1000 In this pilot seat with 280 of those hours in combat. What were some of the most difficult moments for you during those 280 hours? You're constantly scanning the horizon and your instruments to make sure that you and aircraft and the people who have trusted their lives with you are safe. I don't know if you got that. The first female ever to lead the largest Air National Guard in the Nation. This special episode is surely taking off already. And the stories of women breaking barriers in typically male dominated fields. Keep on coming over in Westchester. We are highlighting the story of one woman who is flying right on through glass ceilings. You're looking at Millie Hernandez beer. Talk about a powerful woman paving the path for others. Mily says she got into the aviation industry on a whim as we often do when it comes to career paths after she saw an ad to work at a startup airline at La Guardia airport. Well, over the next four decades, mily climbed the success ladder in her field. She's been a flight attendant ticket agent and now she even owns her own plane. Had these womanly words of wisdom for our viewers. I advanced because every time an opportunity was given to me, I took it and I was afraid, but fear is different than risk. So there you go. Got a dream chase it and don't let anyone stop you. Well, today Millie is the CEO of Sky Queen enterprise, an aviation real estate company. She says that whenever she looks through a cockpit and sees a woman's pony tail in the captaincy that she is so proud. Our next story out of Long Island is an ode to girl power. We are hearing from assistant chief Milly. So get this. She's the highest ranking female and minority member of the Suffolk police department through her work. She's doing what's so important, gaining tools and then reaching forward to pass them on to younger generations. Coming up, check it out. I want people particularly women to look at me and say yes, it is possible. Being the highest ranking female member of the Suffolk County Police Department is something millie soto never thought would happen in her wildest dreams, especially growing up. She didn't see many women in law enforcement who look like her. I think I would tell my younger self it's possible. Soto grew up on the Lower East Side, the youngest of 11 siblings, she was a first generation Puerto Rican American. One of her earliest memories was watching her brother Pedro become an NYPD police officer. In 1973. I saw the positive impact he had in our neighborhood where we grew up against her mother's wishes. Millie decided to follow in her brother's footsteps. She joined the Suffolk County Police Academy at a time when there weren't many women, when you're determined to do something and you have that calling and you have that drive. Then it makes all the difference in the world. She became a Suffolk County Police officer in 1988 and rose through the ranks as sergeant lieutenant captain and all the way up to assistant chief and commanding officer of the Internal Affairs Department. Commissioner Rodney Harrison says SOTO worked hard and earned this position. I'm hoping that people take a look at Millie Soto and try to inspire to be like her because she is really to me a rock star within this organization, you put the work in the effort that it does pay off and you can rise through the ranks and attain the rank of chief. Talk about finding your purpose and using your power for good. Milly says she wants to encourage other women to apply to become police officers saying that you too could be chief one day. Well, we are honoring some more rock star first responders here on a positive note, nine female firefighters are being celebrated over in the Hudson Valley. Meet the women of the Middle Hope fire department in the town of Newburgh. They include three social members and six active duty members. Two that are interior qualified and my favorite part of it all, there are two mother daughter duo who volunteer with the department. Two, congratulations, ladies. Now it's time for today's feel good fact and this one might blow your mind. Well, the state of New Jersey has had only one female governor ever. I mean, talk about an icon. Ladies and gentlemen, the governor of the state of New Jersey, the honorable Christine Todd Whitman, A trail blazing female who helped define our state as New Jersey's 50th and only woman governor to date. Yes, it was important because I became a role model, but you don't run thinking about that. Whitman, a Republican governor was a moderate who went on to head up the EPA. She says seeing more women in power is encouraging, but we still have a long way to go. At the end of the day, it is so important to have more women and people of color and at the decision making table because you need those different life experiences, those different ways of addressing issues. Otherwise you're not going to come up with resolutions to problems that will stand the test of time. This women's history Month, not only are we celebrating the accomplishments of women in our area, but we would be remiss not to celebrate the next generation too. The incredible girls in our area. Now, despite gender norms and societal barriers, Bayridge visitation academy over in Brooklyn is teaching middle school aged girls how to code and even build their own computers. We had an opportunity to meet some of these girls who code and the teacher behind this after school program. She says her hope for the program is for these young girls and others like them to help close the gap in this typically male dominated field as girls, as women. We are able to do this and engineering itself is considered as a male dominant field and we are here to show that we can do this. Us women can actually do a man's job. And on that note, thank you for embracing all of this positivity with me. Remember, good news does exist and you can always be sure to find it right here on a positive note. Happy Women's History Month brand. I'm Jordan and I'll see you next time.