Women’s Equality Day Spotlight: Lynette Dilbert

BATTLE CREEK, Mich. -

Can you tell us about yourself?

I grew up in New Haven, Michigan, near Selfridge Air National Guard Base. I am one of nine children. I have around 60 nieces and nephews, including great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews. My first job was with an automotive supplier right out of high school. This was during President Jimmy Carter's administration when the quota system required employers to hire Black people into office positions, not just factory roles. After three years, I decided to join the military to see the world.

Describe your job in a sentence or two.

I am a management & program analyst working in Business Support on the Process Excellence Team, ensuring standard operating procedures are audit-ready.

How long have you worked for the federal government, including military service?

A total of 19 years. I served four years active duty and four years in the Army Reserve.

How long have you worked for DLA Disposition Services?

I have been with DLA Disposition Services for nine years, starting my civil service at Marine Corps Logistics Base - Albany in Georgia.

What is your favorite thing about your line of work?

Customer service-working with people, helping customers, and ensuring we deliver a quality product.

What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?

Be true to yourself. Don't be a follower; be a leader.

Tell us about your time in the military.

I was in the Army from 1988 to 1996, serving as a 77F petroleum supply specialist stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia (now Fort Moore), and deployed for Desert Storm.

Recently you were selected for an all-female Honor Flight.

Yes, it was Michigan's first all-female Veteran Honor Flight. Although there are about 46,000 female veterans in Michigan, only around 50 have ever been on an Honor Flight since they started in 2007.

Tell us about your fellow veterans on the flight.

We had 150 women on the flight, ranging from the Cold War, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War. One lady on our flight was 91 years old. Together, we had a combined service of 1,605 years.

Can you tell us about the trip itself?

We flew out of Flint at 9:30 a.m. to Baltimore. From there, we boarded four buses and visited the World War II, Korean, Vietnam, and Air Force memorials. That night, we had a banquet at our hotel. The next day, we had a motorcycle escort into Washington, D.C., and visited the Women's Memorial, Marine Corps Memorial, and Arlington Cemetery, where we witnessed the changing of the guard. We also stopped at the Navy Memorial before heading home.

Of the memorials you saw, which one meant the most to you?

The Women's Memorial. It recognizes the significant contributions of women in the military, not just in Vietnam or the Gulf War, but also back in World War II and the Korean War. When I returned from the Gulf War, the VA hospitals were not prepared for female veterans.

Did you observe anything else you would like to share?

One of the veterans on our flight has a neighbor whose brother died in the Vietnam War. The neighbor has never been to the wall and doesn't want to go. So, the veteran made an etching of the brother's name to take back to her neighbor.

What happened when you got back to Flint?

There was a large group of people waiting to welcome us back. They held a program where each female veteran received a quilted lap blanket, a stuffed animal with Army tags and vest, and letters from elementary school kids. It was a very nice, emotional trip, and I am honored to have been part of it.

What do you think about when you hear Women's Equality Day?

We're still striving to achieve equality for women. It's more than equal pay and job advancement; it's about equality as human beings.

Why is it important to you that we celebrate Women's Equality Day?

We're still fighting for equality in various aspects, including reproductive rights and equal pay. Sexual abuse and violence predominantly affect women, so it's crucial to continue fighting for our rights to be heard and seen.

What does the right to vote mean to you?

My grandmother, born in 1896, did not gain the right to vote until 1965, despite the women's suffrage movement granting women the right to vote in 1920. For many African Americans, the right to vote was only secured with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In my family, voting is a deeply held value. When someone turns 18, my mother, who is very passionate about voting, takes them to the Secretary of State to register. She strongly believes in the power and importance of voting. For me, voting is a serious commitment. Even while I was in the military, I made sure to vote absentee. No matter where I've lived, I've always registered and voted since I turned 18, and I will continue to do so.

Who's your biggest influence?

I have two: Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Congressman John Lewis. Lewis worked with Martin Luther King during the March from Selma to Montgomery and was a strong advocate for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an advocate for gender equality and women's rights.

Tell us something that most people might not know about you.

One of the things I love doing is fishing. I've done salmon fishing, walleye fishing, and fly fishing. I want to get better at fly fishing.

Who is your hero?

My mother. She had nine children and has buried four, along with two grandchildren. Her faith, belief, and strength have kept her going. She has shown us the importance of perseverance. Despite having a hip replacement, two knee replacements, and surviving breast cancer, she continues to keep moving. We're taking her on a cruise in September for her 89th birthday.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?

I would love to sit in the cockpit of a commercial plane, like a 747, and watch what they do up there. I've always wanted to be a pilot.

What is your favorite quote?

I have two: "Stand up for what is right even if it means standing alone," - Suzy Kassem, and "If you stand for nothing you will fall for anything," - Alexander Hamilton.

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