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leading the profession
For as long as she can remember, Paula Pedene, APR, wanted to be a journalist.
In high school she wrote for the local newspaper and was the yearbook editor. She planned on attending college to study journalism, but a devastating fire destroyed her family home and all of Pedenes college funds were used in its restoration. She remained undaunted, however, and looked for another way to get an education and pursue her dream.
Her search eventually turned to the armed forces, a decision she made without the support of her father.
"Like many people, my dad didn't think the military was for women," says Pedene. "At that time [1978], women were just being allowed to serve in combat roles."
For Pedene, however, the military meant a place to live, the chance of a college degree and a career as a journalist.
At first Pedene wanted to join the Air Force, but chose the Navy when the recruiter promised she could get her assignment of choice.
Following eight weeks of boot camp, Pedene was stationed in Bermuda-nowhere near the Defense Information School at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana that she was set on attending. Undeterred, Pedene petitioned for the assignment. To help her case, Pedene freelanced and created a mimeographed station newsletter in her off-duty hours.
Pedene's determination paid off and she landed a spot on the campus of the military's prestigious Defense Information School after nearly eight months of waiting. First she sharpened her print journalism skills and, after being encouraged to do a voice test, completed the course in broadcast journalism. After graduating in 1979, Pedene shipped off to Midway Island in the Pacific Ocean where she was a broadcaster for Armed Forces Radio and Television Services. She then took an assignment inTokyo. At the end...