14 www.CharlestonWomenPodcast.com | www.ReadCW.com | www.Instagram.com /CharlestonWomen While women are not often the faces of the military, one local mother-daughter duo is breaking stereotypes and making military service a family tradition, one they hope will continue for generations to come. “I was inspired to serve because I wanted to see the world and get a higher education,” reflected Nicole White, who served for over 20 years in the Air Force as a financial management and services noncommissioned officer. “During my service, I traveled to many parts of the world, and deployed to Iraq in 2011 to assist with the drawdown of troops in the region.” Nicole also taught for five years at an airman leadership school, which prepares airmen for NCO supervisory duties. White retired in 2013, the same year her daughter graduated from high school. Little did she know that her daughter, Alexis Hunter, would go on to serve in the Army National Guard for eight years as a logistics specialist, offering air and ground support. “I was inspired to join the military because of my mom,” Hunter shared, “and my personal desire to challenge myself to become a part of something bigger than myself. I feel a special connection with my mom with our shared experiences in the military because she helped me to navigate any hurdles that came up and guided me on how to become a better woman and leader.” Hunter following in her mom’s footsteps has forged BY HEATHER ROSE ARTUSHIN Feature A Military Family Inspiring mother-daughter duo breaks stereotypes Nicole White and daughter Alexis Hunter celebrate two generations of military women.
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