TOPEKA, Kan. -- Brig. Gen. Deborah Rose, director of the Joint Staff for the Kansas National Guard's Joint Forces Headquarters, was the recipient of a Yellow Rose Award from the Zonta Club of Topeka on Mon., March 9. The award was presented in the Adjutant General's Conference Room, State Defense Building, 2800 S. Topeka Blvd., Topeka.
"It is truly an honor to accept this award on behalf of my fellow female military members," said Rose. "It underscores the significance that women are serving in almost every capacity in the armed forces. They are no longer restricted to serve in limited roles. In today's world it would be difficult for the military services to achieve their mission without female soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen. I want to express my appreciation to the Zonta Club for this Yellow Rose award."
Yellow Rose awards are presented annually to a woman or group of women who have represented, helped or otherwise promoted the welfare or advancement of women in the community. According to Linda Hayse, Zonta Club of Topeka, Rose was selected as a representative of women in the military "who work hard to protect and defend our country alongside our male soldiers."
As the director of the Joint Force Headquarters, Kansas National Guard, Rose is responsible for the integration of the Kansas Army and Air National Guard forces for homeland security and for the command of the Joint Task Force- Kansas. She is responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating policies, plans and programs affecting the homeland security missions of the Kansas National Guard.
Rose entered military service with a direct commission into the Nurse Corps in March 1983 with the 190th Air Refueling Wing, where she remained until 1994 when she became the 190th Service Flight Commander.
She has served in assignments with progressively more responsibility in the 190th Air Refueling Wing, first at a squadron level, then at a group level and finally at the wing level. She became the highest ranking female in the Kansas National Guard when she was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 2002, and upon her promotion to brigadier general in 2007 was also the first female to achieve that rank in the Kansas National Guard.
Founded in 1919, Zonta International is a global organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. Zonta members volunteer their time, talents and money to service projects, as well as scholarship and award programs aimed at furthering women's education, leadership and youth development.
Zonta Rose Day, which coincides with International Women's Day, has been marked since 1999. On that day, Zonta members around the world are encouraged to publicly distribute yellow roses or items bearing the image of yellow roses, accompanied by information about Zonta International and issues relating to improving the lives of women.