The San Diego Council of the Navy League had a landmark election this year, selecting its first woman president, Phyllis Barber, for the 2007 board of directors.
The Navy League of the United States is a civilian organization dedicated to the education of citizens, including elected officials, and the support of servicemen and women and their families.
“I am the first woman to be the president,” Barber said. “There were people who had enough confidence in me “¦ because I couldn’t have done this on my own. The president of 2005 and the president of 2006 thought I was in good succession to take over the role in 2007.”
Barber replaces retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Michael Bucchi. Not only is she the first woman president but her appointment is also rare in that she is a retired enlisted servicewoman.
“That’s a major accomplishment to have an enlisted person [as president], because usually it’s been admirals or important people in organizations,” she said.
In 1993, Barber retired after 23 years of service as a Master Chief Petty Officer in the Navy, the second highest ranking of enlisted personnel.
She joined the Navy League five years ago and served as the executive committee’s 2006 first vice president.
Barber has her work cut out for her as president. Beginning Jan. 1, 2007, the San Diego Women’s Council, another council of the Navy League, is merging with the San Diego council.
“That will be a new role for me to deal with and to ensure that all their programs are continued “¦ and to ensure that we support all the things that they did,” Barber said.
In 2006, the San Diego council was busy supporting the Sea Cadet Corps, a program for American youths ages 13 to 17 who have a desire to learn about the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine. The council provided two Sea Cadet units with $2,000 this year and held its annual golf tournament in June at the Riverwalk Golf Course in Fashion Valley to raise funds for various youth programs, including one that encourages cadets and family members to join the Navy League.
“We distributed over $200,000 this year in grants through Home Front San Diego to needy families and servicemembers who are deployed, and also over $100,000 to benefit wounded Marines and sailors at Balboa [Naval Hospital] and Camp Pendleton,” Barber noted.
The league also funds recognition ceremonies for Sailor of the Year and an Enlisted Woman of the Year, in addition to working with the military to educate city officials and national leaders.
“We work with the military on the distinguished visitors and the Leaders to Sea program,” Barber said. “We have sent out at least 20 distinguished visitors to “¦ a carrier and then probably 20 to surface ships in our Leader to Sea program.”
According to Barber, approximately 90 percent of Navy League members are retired Navy, Marine, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, Army or Air Force.
“We can’t leave anybody out,” Barber said of including all the military’s branches.
For further information, visit http://navyleaguesd.com/index.html.