Over the span of her 28 year military career, Wanda has served during the presidential terms of Bill Clinton, George Bush, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. She also served as Superintendent of First Lady operations, having flown with Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama. She also flew several non-supervisory trips with Barbara Bush and Nancy Reagan.
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(00:09):
Can you feel the power. Canyou feel the power? Feel the power
A double accent. You are listeningto Jerry Worst Slide Worldwide podcast. Hey,
(00:29):
hey, hey, my name isDavid and I'm from Haiti, but
I don't even Dominican robbery. I'mhere Perceive Power twenty one, Jerry Wat's
Live Worldwide. All right, what'sup? Family? Welcome, Welcome to
Late Night. Late Night with Jerrywas loud worldwide and beautiful. Kelly Holland
(00:50):
Chump City. Hey, hey,hope you guys had a great week and
no man Fridays upon us in afew hours. Man, the winch should
go by fast, super fast.Were about to enter the spring as soon
as we get past the snowstorm.It's about to hit the Maryland area anyway,
(01:11):
y'all. Shout out to the positivepower of family. Celebrating over ten
years in streaming, that's right,ten years of streaming all over the world.
That's right, literally all over theworld, y'all. And in the
seven years in television. Yeah,I was just I was just working on
television show, a puppets Puppets TVshow that airs in New York and Atlanta,
(01:34):
North Carolina. Sketh Jones in TheMagical Puppet Playhouse. And I remember
I started that television series in thespring of twenty twenty during the pandemic.
Yeah, so I guess he's aboutto turn four years old. Man.
Time is flying. Wow. Man, interesting interesting climate all over the place,
(01:57):
sports world. Man, someone hasbeen going on, but we try
to keep it positive here on PositivePower. And tonight, Kelly have an
opportunity to interview an icon. Thisright, she had traveled to the world
with some of our world leaders.It's right. I guess you call them
leaders of the Free World. Soshe's going to the whole tight. I'm
(02:20):
just going to chat with Kelly fora minute while we get set the interview
out. Well, she's going tointerview our guests tonight since the one did
duel. So what's going on,Kelly? How you doing? Hey you
Balltimore? How's everybody good? Good? Yeah? Help? We sounded tonight.
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You can hear me clearly, Ihear you clear? All right?
Yeah, you all clear? Youare loud and clear, all right?
Literally, so you ready, you'reready for this little snowstorm we got coming
our way, you know. Tobe honest, I just found out about
it about three hours ago. I'mnot move for all the snow. I
know, after the was spring lastweek. That's so weeds coming up.
(03:07):
That's that's that's why the birds andthe animals don't know what to do.
They not even trying to hibben aintno more. They don't know what to
do. The trees don't know whento grow and sprout. The grass don't
know when to get told like everything. Yeah, we almost had to cut
grass. It was I don't know. I gotta put my lawnmow in the
(03:30):
shops, I get the blade shopping. I'm not ready. Oh yeah,
those people. I just pay thepeople. I don't know. It's crazy,
man, but you know, atleast I got a chance to use
my snow my snow blow, becauseI ain't used it. Thinking about threes.
Oh my gosh. A man andall his little toys in his garage.
I hope they're neatly put up.And you got the floor done,
(03:53):
and it's like soft padded, andyou know your tools give her car up
and leaking order. Goodness, wellyou would have your floor. Look at
you, man, I was Iwas so close because I you know,
I told her, I said,let's let's get a sports car. She
(04:15):
was like, I got one.Look, but I did do something great
for for Valentine Day. I putit in the shop. I ordered replacement
headlights and now she can see whenshe's driving night because she told me she
can see Valentine. Yeah, shesaid I couldn't. I couldn't. No,
No, we did a whole Itook her to dinner. We went
to that new restaurant and foundry rowand she got her flowers and her chocolate
(04:40):
strawberries and her my daughter and theywas, oh, they were so happy.
Good job, you did good.You see me me? Did you
see me me? Maybe it washooked, did you Yeah? I see
you wearing I got to see youthe picture me. He was hooked,
he was looking good. Yeah,okay, I think Jason hit me up
(05:05):
and say, who spoiled her?Is it everybody? I'm sure Mimi is
a princess over there, princevie overour house. Her name is Coke came
and she's getting to learn the family. Or she wakes a tail with the
shout out you just got her.Yes, she was a rescue and we
(05:26):
brought her into our home and we'reall getting adjusted. Yeah, it took
a little time. Man It's unbelievablebecause we got Mimi when she was she
was about to turn year old.I think she was eleven months old when
we got it. It was MemorialLabor Day because we went out to Columbia
to a fair to pick her upbecause she came from from Georgia. And
(05:48):
yeah, she was all, youknow, madened up and needed some some
work. But she was so cute. She was all quiet. You know,
we didn't know she could bark.We didn't know she could bark for
like two months. That's wonderful.He was picking up my baby girl from
her work and this lady came closeto the g and med me started bargain.
(06:09):
Was like, yeah, she gota good home. But they said
that yokies they do that. They'rechill for months before they show theirself.
Oh well, I know she isin Hollywood over there. I just texted
to you, I look at itright now. It's hard to get her
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to pose the pictures to giving hertreat nice and yeah, yeah, I
think a coup was about. It'sabout three weeks old. Her cut okay,
well it still looks nice. Yeah, she got nice shiny tail and
ears. Yare yokee mixed. Soshe mixed with but it's a popular mix
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because I'm starting to they call thatblue blue, But I'm starting to see
a lot of people with that breedbecause we went to we was in Georgia.
There was a guy had like fouror five of them. He was
I guess he has like a kennelfarm or something breeding farm. Yeah,
so people can and that's a prettygood mixture too because there's they are not
(07:15):
prone to injuries like regular Yorkies becausethey you know, they got broke in
bones. Yeah, she's tough manbecause she shoes are pretty well built.
Dogs too. Ses. We're apit bull family. I had a bad
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experience with pit bulls. Not hewasn't alive, but it was just a
dead pit bull. Yeah, wewas bringing this story. I'll tell you
one day about this story, andI was I was looking for the health
department respections. Man, it wasa love Jesus fore it in that aspect
(07:57):
sounds nasty, but you know,to God be the glue. We are
pet owners and we take care ofour pets and may become members of our
families. So shout out to allthe pet owners, all the babies,
and for baby mamas and her babybabies. You are all appreciated. So
you said absolutely. What's her name? Coo? That's what you said,
(08:24):
Coco. But congratulations. I knowthe family going to love and door.
They do bring something special to thefamily because I mean, maybe she's with
so much love and I mean shespoiled to death. I mean she actually
moved into our room because that she'smy son's dog. I think I told
you that when he went to school, never belonged to your son. She
moved in our room and when hecome home, she's staying there for a
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few hours and she come on back. Doesn't even seem like that's his dog
anymore. She found parents. Shesaid, you just the son, get
a dress, step and take around. Yeah all right, Well, Kelly,
are you ready to talk to yourguests, because she's an icon and
a legend and all kind of goodstuff. You enjoy talking to her.
(09:11):
I can't wait. I have somany questions. It's Black History Months.
We're celebrating our excellence here on PositivePower double X. I. I'm gonna
let her introduce herself, but I'mso excited to have her here. Please
please, please, Miss Wanda Joel. Let the people know who you are
and what it is that you do. Lady, good evening. How are
(09:33):
y'all doing this evening even? Thankyou for joining us, Thank you for
having me pleasure. And I'm jointlistening to see your stories on your fur
baby because I have one right here. We're all connected. Yeah, you're
gonna tell us a little about itreal quick, tell us a little story
about her. Yeah, non meanahair. She's trying to get all my
(09:54):
attention and I'm just hoping she wouldjust go to sleep disrupt us. Have
a little Carrier's a little carrier.He's about seven years old and so clinging
everywhere I go to go, youknow how just turned seven. Yeah,
yeah, beautiful, you have agreat show. And thank you, thank
(10:18):
you, yeah, thank you,thank you so much for being here this
evening, Miss Joel. You know, I had such a great time reading
over your bio, getting to learnyou more, and then just doing a
little research, you know, justjust typing in your name and seeing all
your accolades, your beautiful pictures.And I'm wondering what made her ever want
(10:39):
to go into the Air Force andwhat a career you made out of it.
I mean, honestly, what whatinspired this whole inspiration for you to
eventually become the first African American femaleto serve as the presidential crew on Air
Force One. I love it,yes, ma'am. Well, well,
(11:01):
you know, my interest in theaviation world started as a little girl.
I'm from Bermuda. I used tolive in Bermuda Island and Bermuda and coming
too the United States, there wasa flight attendant that was an inspiration to
me. She just was He mademy trip so comfortable. And that little
girl, I said, you knowhow, we say, that's what I
(11:22):
want to be when I grow up. So that's that's where my journey started.
Leaving Bermuda coming to the United Stateson that flight, And if I
was the artist, I could drawa picture of this lady, how she
looked and how kind she was tome. So unbeknown to me. Later
after high school, I joined theAir Force. After many doors closed in
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the aviation world on the civilian side, you know, a lot of downsizing,
a lot of laying off, youknow how they were doing back early
in late eighties. So the AirForce. Not coming from military background,
but I kind of connected the AirForce airplanes, not knowing not knowing that
they had flight attendants at that time. When I joined, I began to
(12:07):
see the flights, the airplanes cominginto my base. I was stationed overseas
in England, and when I sawthe first a couple of aircraft and saw
the crew, the aircrew, Irealized that they were active duty military.
And so that's when I said Ineed I said, sign me up,
yes ma'am, yes, amen,all right, go ahead. So that's
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what the journey began. I didn'tautomatically get on Air Force One. Of
course. I was doing another joband I had to cross train. They
called a oj T, you know, jucturin for that job, particular job.
But it took over a year forme to put in the application.
It was a whole list of thingsI had to do, and I didn't
give up. I just kept doingwhat they needed me to do. I
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set my whole big package, wentto Andrews Air Force Base. That's the
home of Air Force One. Iwas over. I was in England when
I did all that, yeah,and therefore sent me to another base.
Before. Prior to going to Andrews, I went to Indiana. I was
like grison for a year and thenI got selected from there to not hired,
like I said, immediately fair forceone. But I started flying with
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the Vice President of States at thetime. Yeah, you have to start
at the bottom, work the wayup. Yeah, but that's not a
bottom. That don't sound like abottom. Bottom. But yeah, that's
when I was over here. Ifelt so bad the vice president bottom right
exactly. Okay, there we go. Yeah. So that's how the journey
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began and from took off from there. Amen. Well, so God be
the glory, you know, justto have it in his time and in
his way. He said, Ispent a year here, two years here,
two years here, And did youeven know that you were actually on
your journey to become a part ofhistory. Did you even know exactly?
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Didn't even know? Yeah, Psalmthirty seven. I kept that scripture in
my heart. I delight yourself inthe Lord here, give the desires for
your heart. Yes, yes,I held onto that. I don't know
how it's gonna happen. Sometimes youdon't know, doors closed, you don't
know why. But it's just sucha faithful Amen, and look what happened.
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Yeah, it happened for me,and I know it can happen for
anybody that's looking to pursue something anddreams and want don't give up because things
come your way, and that's justa sign that it's something big ahead.
Amen, you are absolutely right,But let us know more. You know,
how was it and in that time, and you know, being on
this platform at such a young age, like, was it intimidating? Were
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you completely confident? How is yourexperience around the different presidents? And I
can't wait to ask, you knowthe last president. Well just then,
I know, well, you knowI always tell everybody I had to pinch
myself being on board probably the firsttime, well even on Air Force too.
If I started out, it justfelt unreal. You know, here
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I am flying with our nations,our leaders of this country, you know,
our vice president. I flew withsenators and congressmen. So you know,
I just had to say, youknow, I'm here. I know
I had challenges. It was alot of challenges because it was predominantly all
male career field. When I firststart flying, it was very few women
at all, and of course Iwas the first woman of color, but
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it was very few women. Soto prove yourself. That's why I say
challenges from the beginning, we hadsometimes some males that they weren't even comfortable
being in the military, not alone, not just flying, but in the
military alongside a woman. So Ifelt that tension, you know, and
I felt like, you know,I'm just as good as you are,
and I know I didn't. Ifelt like I had to prove myself.
(16:00):
But in the military, you stillgot to get promoted, you still got
to go to school. So it'sa lot of things you have to do
to advance, and it's a lotof competition in the career field. Our
career feel spider tendant because it's sosmall. So I was going beyond.
I was doing more things that theyasked of me. So if they said
you they might have a slot,or they need to promote someone, I
was doing what I needed to fillthose squares, you know, I mean,
(16:22):
just not trying to keep up andbe my equals. Not that I
had to prove that I could lifta case of water and loads of cases
of soldiers on the plane, butI'm finishing school at the same time,
and I'm trying to everything I neededto do to get my stripes in the
Air Force as well, you know, So there was quite a few things,
but I never gave up on anyon any challenge, and they came
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my way. I said, Iknow I can accomplish it. I came
this far and so I know there'snot going to in here. I never
gave up and I just loved butI it was my passion to fly,
So that's what that was a dreamin itself. So to reach that and
you know, as far as comingfrom Arita's little girl and I reached my
goal to just be on an airplane. I was just excited to be in
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the air Huh exactly. I wasliving my dream. So you know,
come what may, no one wasgoing to hurt me from going back.
And I got hired and that wasit. That was in the story.
I was there, and like Isaid, I didn't start on Air Force
once till later, but I foundout what I needed to do to even
(17:27):
get there. And it was theyhad so many permanent crew members on Air
Force one you had to wait yourturn to get The slots were slim to
none. I mean, people stayedthere until they retired. Who's going to
give up a job like that.So the time came when people started retiring
again, they said, you needanother clearance. I got that out the
(17:48):
way. You need to have moreblocks and squares filled, I got that
ready. So come when they lookin, you know, to those slots.
And I was an augmentee at thetime where you know, they spent
part time as to just kind ofsee how you work with others and how
you you know, how you getalong. Can you get the meal lot
on time? Do all that stuff. So I was preparing myself the whole
time on Air Force too. Andso when that door opened and they told
(18:11):
me how to open it, Iapplied for it. Gom dooring President Bush
forty one, he was just elected. I did four years as the ugmund
tee, part timing with him,and they picked me up permanently in nineteen
ninety. Hey man to God.Yeah. And then from there you served
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under other presidents such as Bill Clinton. A how was that? Eight years
with President I had as well,you know, if they stayed in two
terms. Of course, the crew'snever changed unless you retire or want to
(18:52):
do something else. So I dideight full years with the President Clinton and
eight years with President Bush forty three, called forty one, we call Daddy
Bush, and then his son,of course I did. This was him
and two years with President Obama.But yeah, each president was different as
how it was to President Clinton.I'm personable, very personable. The presidents
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began to know they knew the crewlike on a first name basis after a
while, you know, because atthe eight years, coming on the same
jet, you see the same crew, you know, so you get pretty
comfortable. But each president, likeI said, was different in their own
way. They treated the crew membersvery kind. I mean they treated us
like, you know, they knewwhere their meals were coming from. But
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like I said, they were onemore personal. The bushes may be a
little bit more professional, you know, a little non stand offish, but
you know, more business. Likethe president Pitt will come on, even
missus Clinton, They'll come on andthey want to, you know, talk
about their trip and the adventures thatthey just they shared everything with us.
So we were like, big,yes, we have I have stories for
(19:57):
days. Yeah you should say whatwe're not leaving anything out today? Okay,
how long? I don't. Imean some things I could say,
some things I can't. Well,well, well keep it safe now,
that's all right. You served underPresident Obama. It's like who would have
(20:19):
ever known, you know, thatwould actually become and then when it did,
and then you got to have afirst hand experience. Was it everything
that we hoped it would be everythingplus some? Yes, ma'am. And
you know, I could have retired. I did. My time for the
Air Force is twenty. You couldretire twenty. But I did twenty eight
(20:41):
total service after do the service years. But everyone, my colleagues, they
were like, oh, my goodness, if I would have just stayed two
more years or I just said ayear. So to this day, I
always say I was so glad Isay those extra two years because I only
served two years with President Obama andto twenty ten, I retired, but
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I was so glad I did thetwenty eight years just to say that I
met the first first you know,afric American President will and I got a
chance to even speak to Miss Obamaseparately of her challenges and then I shared,
you know, being the first AfricanAmerican woman on Air Force one to
serve them, I said, butyou know, I don't compare my challenges
to you as the first lady ofthe United States. But it was just
(21:25):
awesome to be able to just meetthem. Very nice, lovely couple just
nice people all around, and wehad that nice report before I retired,
and they thanked me for my serviceon my last trip with them and personable
where they had my whole family onboard to say thank you, and it
(21:45):
was so nice. Yeah, itwas Thanksgiving Eve. We flew in from
Portugal. That was my very lasttrip, and President Obama stayed back until
my parents came on board. Theycame to Andrews, they got escorted up
to the jet and got cleared andall that good stuff. And they came
up and he was asking Mom,what's for Thanksgiving dinner? And you're up
late, and so it was justit was really nice. I mean,
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that's so you know we have normallywhen you retire, our commander, which
is a hip pilot, he letsone family member go to the White House
and do your photo op they callit. But I had flown for presidents
and I had been the longest,been there the longest even I think I
(22:29):
had been there longer than some ofthe pilots. They know, the whole
family could come on board to sayto five, so get your photo op.
So we have some good memories ofall that. Yeah, so that
was nice. That sounds wonderful andwhat an experience. Wow, And thank
you for letting us be live itfor a moment. You know, all
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the stories like who's this, Who'sthat, Who's who's kind? You know,
who's Yeah, so thank you lettingus live with you, just just
being up there on these airplanes inclose proximity during crisis. Were you ever
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flying during a national crisis and howdid you handle that? Yeah? I
would say probably the role the numberone crisis. There's a few because we
were so protected and we had somuch security and things even emergency, not
a whole lot of that stuff.But nine eleven, I'm the mind.
First, I was the president bushedthat on that particular mission we call a
(23:37):
mission for that trip, and ofcourse the whole country knew that day the
feeling of us being attacked, youknow, but to be with the president,
I was able to even embrace him. We had a moment that we
even shared a tier and I toldhim, I said, God's got us.
So I got a chance to seehim in a different side, and
(23:59):
he felt his you know, painas pain as the command in chief and
to know that his country's under attackand we couldn't go back to Washington.
You know, we had to doall of our plan replanning, re routing,
you know, to protect him.But that whole trip was really solemn
and just put everything on hold,all our services that we were preparing for
a meal just a short day fromFlorida back to Washington, we thought,
(24:23):
but to be the only plane inthe air and to fill the actual protection.
After I did my silent prayer,of course, and with the President
to share that hug, I lookat outside the wings of the jet and
I see the fighter planes escorting us. You know, it felt like the
angels. Oh that's feeling right there. Just I mean, I know they
(24:48):
were protecting and you know, wewere pretty safe up there, but just
to see them as sorting us becausewe were that was the first time I
really felt like we were in danger. Although I felt safe, but just
to see that that's sixteenth on eachwing. You know, if anybody came
near Force one and they were goingto be you know, they weren't being
the sky alone. But that's okay. I like. But even coming back
(25:14):
when we did finally come back home, the phone calls I received, and
to know that what was happening onthat side, you know, we're in
the air, but just all thephone calls that I received, and they
said you were the only plane inthe air, you know, because we
didn't have any phones, you know, all communications down, so I didn't
know what was going on back home, and nobody really was supposed to know
where we were for our protection.So that whole day. I think I
(25:36):
finally was able to breathe when Igot on the ground at home in my
house, but that that was itwas just it really hurt my heart just
just see even President Bush having thaton his shoulders to you know, wanting
to go back to Washington and stuff, but just it's you know, your
hands are tide and we're under attacklike that. So that was the biggest
(25:57):
crisis. To answer your question aboutsomething that sticks out in my mind that
I'll never forget that moment, youknow. Yeah, thank you so much
for sharing those of us that there'salways a question, well where were you
or what were you doing living andwhile you know that you were in the
(26:18):
air with the president first hand experience, that's a wonderful story. We we
know that you speak at different venues, but you also have a book out
right now that you're working on calleddreams and flight flight. Yes, tell
us more about it that should beout this spring. And that's crazy.
(26:42):
Basically, in my journey, it'sstarting out like a memoir. But as
I speak to schools, especially thelower grades, the youth younger, and
I try to tell them in mybook my story as a little girl coming
from Bermuda, how I was touchedby the flight attendant, her compassion and
just consoling me, leaving my countrybehind and leading you know, single by
(27:04):
to my my family and friends atthe airport, and that moment and how
I just stuck with me. Shejust made me feel so comfortable. And
so my books just starts out withmy life story leaving Bermuda up until you
know, my journey through the airport, joining the Air Force and even applying
for aviation worlds on the outside thatwas commercial. All those doors were closing
(27:26):
for a reason, and so Ifirst revered and made it all the way
in the Air Force. Yeah,and then you know, let them know
my journey and share. I havequite a few stories. It's quite a
few chapters. I talk about alot of the memorable, memorable trips,
share a few secrets. Yeah,it be interesting. Yeah, I think
(27:49):
it's going to catch hopefully. Ijust want to touch some youth, even
out of youth. It could besomeone that later in life decided they wanted
to do something they did weren't ableto do as a young person. So
to touch all ages actually, andso a lot of photos. So it
should be can it should be interesting? Thank you. I'm excited. I'm
excited. It's the first one.I've been putting it off forever and I'm
(28:11):
like, I gotta do this book. Sometimes we just have to get the
message out. So I'm glad you'regoing through the process. Are you self
publishing or do you have a teamthat's helping you with this process. Yeah,
a little bit about uh huh okay, And that's how we make it
work, family, We always makeit work. Yeah, go ahead.
(28:33):
Yeah, they're opening up the doorsfor this platform, you know, the
podcast and last spring I spoke atthe HPCU, my first HBCU, Tennessee
State University of having me and I'mtrying to encourage their our junior ROTC and
the ROTC program at the college levelthat they could just go to school as
well as serve their country. Youknow. But there's so many opportunities.
(28:55):
A lot of them don't understand thebenefits of the military. I mean,
I'm not an Air Force, I'mnot a recruiter, but just the Air
Force. I mean I'm benefited fromthe Air Force as a retiree, I
still have privileges as a veteran.So I tell them it's not just your
four years you serve. It goesa long way. You know, you
could retire it and if you joinat a young age, you can retire
in the military in twenty years you'restill thirty, you and your thirties.
(29:18):
Oh, it's so many benefits.I'm trying to help promote that as well.
And local churches here in Georgia haveme during the Black History Months or
any different events that you know,someone that hears me and wants me to
speak. But it's all about encouraging. Yeah. I even that spoke at
the Veterans the VA Hospital, otherveterans that try to pour into other veterans
(29:41):
than women that are have challenges whilethey're in the military and still looking to
pursue some dreams. Because just whenyou live and you have a lot of
life, it's a lot more thanthis. You're you know, You're here
for a reason and you got tofulfill your purpose. Yes you did,
and I don't think yeah, Butyou know, I was going to ask
you, how was it being ayoung African American woman into the armed forces
(30:08):
of the country, you know,and you said you had to earn everything
you did, You had to workhard, you had to overprove yourself over
and beyond others. But do youthink that was the right decision? And
is it an encouraging decision for othersto come on board that may be straddling
offense. You know, they mayfeel like I don't want to go into
(30:30):
war or I don't want anything badto happen to me, Like where does
that person fit in? You know? When I traveling both, like I
said, you know my story.But when I probably one of my first
places was England and a young firstout of high school, the Air Force,
(30:51):
it felt like a hmm to me, It's like a stepping stone away
from home, really easy one becausethey take care of you. I mean
I had my room and board,I had my food. You know,
you didn't have to worry about drivingoverseas. They had bus. I mean,
they just treat you. They takecare of you from basic training on.
I don't think the military just putsyou out there, you know,
(31:12):
just to hang yourself. They reallykind of guide you through so much.
They walk you to child hat orthey call the child back. Then I'm
telling them about myself, but theywalk you to the chapel with basic training,
your information, of course, yourtraining. But to me, for
a young person in eighteen, thatwas eighteen almost nineteen to go into the
(31:33):
military at that age, I haveno regrets because it didn't seem like I
was going away from home on myown somewhere you know where you have to
find an apartment and you have toyou're living out the country or something like
that. They therefore takes care oftheir people. I promote the Air Force
all day now. I don't knowabout the Marines and Army they got.
I would charge anyone a young personbecause it gives you time to figure out,
(31:57):
really what do you really want todo, because you go and I
did in England, I graduated highschool, went straight in the military.
So I went and took my collegecourses my first two years for my associates
degree. I completed that in England, so I went back. I took
classes they make time for They giveyou time give a job, of course,
but they give you time to pursue. They push education and it's free.
(32:21):
So I fell a young person.If you're struggling financially, you want
to see the world and you don'tknow how to go about it, and
you want to just you could dofour years. You don't have to commit.
I did twenty eight, of course, but it's four at a time.
I think the Army, and maybetwo or three at a time.
So it's not like you're in andyou're a lifer and you got you might
go straight to Iraq. It dependson your job, Okay, so you
(32:43):
have a Yeah, it depends whatyou select. I mean, if you're
going to be open and it's goodto sit down with a I have some
good recruiters that kind of put itall out there, the negatives as bad
as the good, the evil.So they told me what I was getting
into. But you don't have whenyou join the Air Forces, like you
want to pay off your bills.Say you got bills at home? I
tell young people all day, theyset your off count up. Your money
(33:05):
gets over there, that go straightto your so you save money, get
your education, and see the worldtravel free. So I didn't feel alone.
I felt like at I felt likethat was a good decision as a
young you know, going into myadulthood and I grew I pretty much grew
up in the military eighteen twenty eightyears so and it did me well.
I mean, like I said,you have your challenges. You're going to
(33:28):
be in a lot of male dominatingcareer fields as a woman. But if
you're going to be a cop orit depends what you choose. Of course,
we have a lot of get itjobs. You could go into the
nursing job. It's so many opportunities. You know, this guy's the lemmit
for what you want to do.If you didn't want to be a nurse.
On the outside, you could getyour four year training in the Air
(33:49):
Force and that resume you're building onyour resume. Even whatever you do in
the military, that job, ittransformed into a civilian similar you know,
they might call a different a ftoc or description, but it's the same.
I was in the military as ayou could say a military police and
it's the same as a your acop. Okay, you know, just
(34:13):
I was a cook. But you'regetting you on the outside. I want
to be a chef. Okay,I cooked four years in military. You
were just a military cook. Youknow what I'm saying. You can rewards
your resume and say how strong itwas. You know, my career for
us made a difference. And it'sthe same exact job I'm applying for when
I get out. So yeah,it's to me it was a good choice.
Hey man, Well, thank youfor giving us a low down.
(34:36):
You know, in case anyone listeningwas ever thinking, you know, if
this is good for me, Iwould take her up on it. I
would just go and see what it'sabout. There's lots of benefits. You
know, you can always become abetter person, and then you're set up.
You know, when you get out, you're set up with us the
benefits that help you move further inlife. You know, they have special
(35:00):
programs for housing and special programs foreducation, and like you said, you
can save your money. So itsounds like a one to me. Sounds
like family exactly. And your familybenefits too, like I had being indoor
ninety eleven, they had some ninetyeleven bills in Congress have passed your children
if you had children or or aspouse. They could go to school and
(35:23):
finish their degrees on the government.So they were if I could have finished
and got another master's or another doctors, I have my master's And I was
like, I think I'm good,but I can your family benefits from if
you have a child up to abouttwenty seven twenty eight years old, they
benefit as well from you just serving. So yeah, it's a lot of
(35:43):
perks to through the Air Force,military ships. They're not just the Air
Force the military. But did thiscareer ever leave room for family for you?
Yeah? You know a lot ofpeople ask me those questions, but
you're separated. To be honest withyou, a lot. You have to
(36:06):
have a strong faith and a strongsupport system if even if you have want
to have children. We had plentyof flight attendants that had children and our
career field, you know, itdepends like again, who you work for,
they can take you have your leavesand you have your your maternity leaves
and all that stuff. But ifyou have a good support system, you
(36:27):
could do it all. Just likeI guess a regular civilian job or nurses
that's got to work around the clock. You know, they still have to
have a family at home that theystill got to go to. So yeah,
you and then if you get deployedat a place where you can bring
your family with you. Of course, there's some remote sites like you won't
even want your family go with youif you've got if you had to go
to erect for all year or someSaudi Arabia, you know, for their
(36:51):
safety. But the Air Force,they try to send you somewhere where you
could bring your family. If yougo to Hawaii, of course, so
we're nice Panama, your family couldcome with you. So you and then
like I said, if they wantto stay back, you get your leaves
like a regular job to come home. And I had never missed the holiday
my family and I was in twentyyears. I was home every Christmas.
(37:14):
Yeah, and my family got tothey traveled to see me. They came
over seas quite a bit, soso that was good. And you know,
it met me halfway or something,so that worked out. Yeah.
So it took me a little overwhelmingat times, but you just got to
work it out and save your leave, you know, and save for the
birthdays and holidays, and you gottabe responsible because somebody might just use all
(37:36):
of it at one time. Andthen they get discouraged so they can't go
back. But you know, yougotta share it. You got to share
the wealth. You got other peoplethat want to go home. So yeah,
so that worked out fine for me, worked out fine, she said,
she she handled it. Okay,task you was able to ta and
I'm so glad to hear about it. I found you on social media.
(38:00):
Yeah, but can you let ourlisteners know how they can find you,
how they can support you, howthey can purchase your book. This is
your time to slug away invite themto your next speaking events. Oh okay,
well I have, Like I said, the book's still going to be
advertised on my website and we're workingon different avenues how to purchase the book
(38:22):
once they's complete. But you couldlook at and follow me on my events
and on my website, which isWanda Joe dot com, and I have
it all on there as far asevents coming. If you want to book
me for an event, booking requestand it's going to talk about a little
(38:44):
bit about me on there as well, and the media and everything that I
have done already, my email,all that good stuff is on there.
They link me also to the instagrams, and Facebook page and all that's on
my website is Wanda Joe dot It'sreally simple. My name Wandajoe dot com.
(39:06):
And I keep you informed on what'snext. And matter of fact,
I have another podcast coming up nextwhen I'll give it to you real quick.
Okay, the next one is goingto be twenty sixth of February,
I believe. Yes, that's soon. Yeah, that's next. Oh I
(39:27):
said this next one liket on aMonday, I believe. So that's the
next one. And that's boy sothat yeah, this my black issue.
They got they got it. Yeah, I was really I'm been busy this
month, so sometimes it's a littlequieter month, and then also March Women's
(39:49):
History months. I do quite afew things locally in March, but if
anyone needs to reach out and bookme to come, I travel. I'll
come to you. So I don'tmind traveling. So yeah, so I
have quite a few things coming up. This month is probably the busiest for
Black history. The good be theglory. Yes, he's opening it up,
(40:14):
I know. And I'm another favoritescript of my Philippians one six I'll
leave you. It's that he whobegan a good work in me it's faithful
to complete. Yes, so Ithink, yeah, he ain't finished yet.
I like that song. It's Hewho has begun a great work in
you. It's faithful to perform.God is faithful to perform. Okay,
(40:38):
so here we go. You saidit from the word and I got it
from the Gospel. I'm so grateful, amen, I'm so grateful that God
can be elevated in so many differentways, and people of all races,
colors, genders, wherever you're from, can just cling on to just good
(41:01):
music. You know, good musicthat celebrates Him. That's a whole nother
venue. You know, it's aform of prayer and worship. And I'm
glad that we can enjoy our historyand learn more about the careers of the
Air Force within your story. Thankyou again for joining us, Miss Wanda
(41:22):
Joel, And do you think thatyou could share one last message that you
think would be encouraging for anyone ofany age this evening. I want to
leave you with this. I'm livingproof that your dreams and desires can come
(41:44):
through. Never allow anyone to killthose dreams. You can be anything in
life that you want to be.Follow your dreams, staying courage work hards,
stay focused, respectful, be aleader, not a follower, and
never give up. Amen, bea leader, not a five at any
age, she said, get startedor keep at it God. God,
(42:07):
don't give up on God, andhe won't give on from you. And
keep him first, all right?Okay? And I will always keep him
first. You know what? Ifeel compelled to ask because I just feel
that you're a woman of scripture.You know, you've been giving it to
us straight from the sport. Socan you please, miss Joe, can
(42:29):
you can you pray us out?Would you bless us and pray us out?
Oh? Absolutely, I was gonnaleave you with this, this little
quick poem I had here too,but I didn't know about time. But
that's okay, We're gonna pray usout. Yeah, George, thank you
so much for having me as well. Oh it was a pleasure. Yeah.
Let's pray to be in your presence. Let's pray. Yes, thank
(42:51):
you, Lord, Lord. Wethank you for this opportunity to come to
come before you one more time.Lord. We thank you for this platform
and this podcast. Lord, Ipraise you. Continue to order this young
lady's step, so let her bea blessing to the community and the she
streams and podcasts, having the Fathercontinue to open up doors from heaven.
Lord, we know that you arefaithful, and we know that you promised
(43:13):
in your word to keep us enoughthe sake ds Lord, and whatever we
have to do, we're gonna giveit all back to you, because you're
gonna get the honor and you're goingto get the glory. Story gives us
all a great nice people sleep thisevening, and Jesus name, we pray
Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, and thank you for praying with us.
Batman. Any last words, thankyou again for having nice to meet
(43:35):
you both. And I'm nice listeningto you all earlier and the music also,
and I'm going to tune in itlisten to your podcast. Wow.
Well, thank you and we willsupport you also, Miss Joe. What
you guys say that now, Iwas gonna say thank you so much.
It was a great having you onfor you know, celebrating Black History Month,
and I'm sure everybody got a lotof listening to your journey being in
(43:59):
government. You know, it's ajourney, and I'm encouraged. You know,
I've always been kind of scared.I think of my joint y'all he
thinking, is it to me,Am I too old? Get your tail
out of here, my blood pressure, I don't think so get your thank
(44:27):
you, Praise God. I'm gonnagive me some benefits from my house.
This sho in the military. Okay, well we're gonna green lighted. Thank
you that man, and thank youagain, Thank you everybody for joining us.
You have just been blessed with theinterview from this one to Joel.
(44:50):
She was the first African American femaleselected to serve as a permanent presidential crew
member. You know, she helpedthe titles, and she did the work,
and now she's encouraging us. Okayon Air Force one. So we're
thankful for her, and thank youagain for joining us. Please always come
back to Late Night with Jerry RoyceLive and Kelly Holland and never forget to
(45:15):
tap back into your unspeakable joy.Good night, everybody, good boy.
Can you feel the power? Canyou feel the power? Fuel the power?
(45:39):
A double exile? You are listeningbecause you're worst Live worldwide podcast.
Hey Hey, hey, my nameis Davies and I'm from Haiti. But
I don't even Dominican operate. I'mhere prosied Power to Me One, Jerry
(46:01):
Weiss Live Wrodlide, ah M lGOT Baltimore, Maryland, and the listening
to George Royce Clive part of That'sthe best international radio station in the hole wide world
Can you feel the power. Canyou feel the power? Feel the power
A double accent. You are listeningto Jerry Worst Slide Worldwide podcast. Hey,
(00:29):
hey, hey, my name isDavid and I'm from Haiti, but
I don't even Dominican robbery. I'mhere Perceive Power twenty one, Jerry Wat's
Live Worldwide. All right, what'sup? Family? Welcome, Welcome to
Late Night. Late Night with Jerrywas loud worldwide and beautiful. Kelly Holland
(00:50):
Chump City. Hey, hey,hope you guys had a great week and
no man Fridays upon us in afew hours. Man, the winch should
go by fast, super fast.Were about to enter the spring as soon
as we get past the snowstorm.It's about to hit the Maryland area anyway,
(01:11):
y'all. Shout out to the positivepower of family. Celebrating over ten
years in streaming, that's right,ten years of streaming all over the world.
That's right, literally all over theworld, y'all. And in the
seven years in television. Yeah,I was just I was just working on
television show, a puppets Puppets TVshow that airs in New York and Atlanta,
(01:34):
North Carolina. Sketh Jones in TheMagical Puppet Playhouse. And I remember
I started that television series in thespring of twenty twenty during the pandemic.
Yeah, so I guess he's aboutto turn four years old. Man.
Time is flying. Wow. Man, interesting interesting climate all over the place,
(01:57):
sports world. Man, someone hasbeen going on, but we try
to keep it positive here on PositivePower. And tonight, Kelly have an
opportunity to interview an icon. Thisright, she had traveled to the world
with some of our world leaders.It's right. I guess you call them
leaders of the Free World. Soshe's going to the whole tight. I'm
(02:20):
just going to chat with Kelly fora minute while we get set the interview
out. Well, she's going tointerview our guests tonight since the one did
duel. So what's going on,Kelly? How you doing? Hey you
Balltimore? How's everybody good? Good? Yeah? Help? We sounded tonight.
(02:42):
You can hear me clearly, Ihear you clear? All right?
Yeah, you all clear? Youare loud and clear, all right?
Literally, so you ready, you'reready for this little snowstorm we got coming
our way, you know. Tobe honest, I just found out about
it about three hours ago. I'mnot move for all the snow. I
know, after the was spring lastweek. That's so weeds coming up.
(03:07):
That's that's that's why the birds andthe animals don't know what to do.
They not even trying to hibben aintno more. They don't know what to
do. The trees don't know whento grow and sprout. The grass don't
know when to get told like everything. Yeah, we almost had to cut
grass. It was I don't know. I gotta put my lawnmow in the
(03:30):
shops, I get the blade shopping. I'm not ready. Oh yeah,
those people. I just pay thepeople. I don't know. It's crazy,
man, but you know, atleast I got a chance to use
my snow my snow blow, becauseI ain't used it. Thinking about threes.
Oh my gosh. A man andall his little toys in his garage.
I hope they're neatly put up.And you got the floor done,
(03:53):
and it's like soft padded, andyou know your tools give her car up
and leaking order. Goodness, wellyou would have your floor. Look at
you, man, I was Iwas so close because I you know,
I told her, I said,let's let's get a sports car. She
(04:15):
was like, I got one.Look, but I did do something great
for for Valentine Day. I putit in the shop. I ordered replacement
headlights and now she can see whenshe's driving night because she told me she
can see Valentine. Yeah, shesaid I couldn't. I couldn't. No,
No, we did a whole Itook her to dinner. We went
to that new restaurant and foundry rowand she got her flowers and her chocolate
(04:40):
strawberries and her my daughter and theywas, oh, they were so happy.
Good job, you did good.You see me me? Did you
see me me? Maybe it washooked, did you Yeah? I see
you wearing I got to see youthe picture me. He was hooked,
he was looking good. Yeah,okay, I think Jason hit me up
(05:05):
and say, who spoiled her?Is it everybody? I'm sure Mimi is
a princess over there, princevie overour house. Her name is Coke came
and she's getting to learn the family. Or she wakes a tail with the
shout out you just got her.Yes, she was a rescue and we
(05:26):
brought her into our home and we'reall getting adjusted. Yeah, it took
a little time. Man It's unbelievablebecause we got Mimi when she was she
was about to turn year old.I think she was eleven months old when
we got it. It was MemorialLabor Day because we went out to Columbia
to a fair to pick her upbecause she came from from Georgia. And
(05:48):
yeah, she was all, youknow, madened up and needed some some
work. But she was so cute. She was all quiet. You know,
we didn't know she could bark.We didn't know she could bark for
like two months. That's wonderful.He was picking up my baby girl from
her work and this lady came closeto the g and med me started bargain.
(06:09):
Was like, yeah, she gota good home. But they said
that yokies they do that. They'rechill for months before they show theirself.
Oh well, I know she isin Hollywood over there. I just texted
to you, I look at itright now. It's hard to get her
(06:34):
to pose the pictures to giving hertreat nice and yeah, yeah, I
think a coup was about. It'sabout three weeks old. Her cut okay,
well it still looks nice. Yeah, she got nice shiny tail and
ears. Yare yokee mixed. Soshe mixed with but it's a popular mix
(06:55):
because I'm starting to they call thatblue blue, But I'm starting to see
a lot of people with that breedbecause we went to we was in Georgia.
There was a guy had like fouror five of them. He was
I guess he has like a kennelfarm or something breeding farm. Yeah,
so people can and that's a prettygood mixture too because there's they are not
(07:15):
prone to injuries like regular Yorkies becausethey you know, they got broke in
bones. Yeah, she's tough manbecause she shoes are pretty well built.
Dogs too. Ses. We're apit bull family. I had a bad
(07:35):
experience with pit bulls. Not hewasn't alive, but it was just a
dead pit bull. Yeah, wewas bringing this story. I'll tell you
one day about this story, andI was I was looking for the health
department respections. Man, it wasa love Jesus fore it in that aspect
(07:57):
sounds nasty, but you know,to God be the glue. We are
pet owners and we take care ofour pets and may become members of our
families. So shout out to allthe pet owners, all the babies,
and for baby mamas and her babybabies. You are all appreciated. So
you said absolutely. What's her name? Coo? That's what you said,
(08:24):
Coco. But congratulations. I knowthe family going to love and door.
They do bring something special to thefamily because I mean, maybe she's with
so much love and I mean shespoiled to death. I mean she actually
moved into our room because that she'smy son's dog. I think I told
you that when he went to school, never belonged to your son. She
moved in our room and when hecome home, she's staying there for a
(08:48):
few hours and she come on back. Doesn't even seem like that's his dog
anymore. She found parents. Shesaid, you just the son, get
a dress, step and take around. Yeah all right, Well, Kelly,
are you ready to talk to yourguests, because she's an icon and
a legend and all kind of goodstuff. You enjoy talking to her.
(09:11):
I can't wait. I have somany questions. It's Black History Months.
We're celebrating our excellence here on PositivePower double X. I. I'm gonna
let her introduce herself, but I'mso excited to have her here. Please
please, please, Miss Wanda Joel. Let the people know who you are
and what it is that you do. Lady, good evening. How are
(09:33):
y'all doing this evening even? Thankyou for joining us, Thank you for
having me pleasure. And I'm jointlistening to see your stories on your fur
baby because I have one right here. We're all connected. Yeah, you're
gonna tell us a little about itreal quick, tell us a little story
about her. Yeah, non meanahair. She's trying to get all my
(09:54):
attention and I'm just hoping she wouldjust go to sleep disrupt us. Have
a little Carrier's a little carrier.He's about seven years old and so clinging
everywhere I go to go, youknow how just turned seven. Yeah,
yeah, beautiful, you have agreat show. And thank you, thank
(10:18):
you, yeah, thank you,thank you so much for being here this
evening, Miss Joel. You know, I had such a great time reading
over your bio, getting to learnyou more, and then just doing a
little research, you know, justjust typing in your name and seeing all
your accolades, your beautiful pictures.And I'm wondering what made her ever want
(10:39):
to go into the Air Force andwhat a career you made out of it.
I mean, honestly, what whatinspired this whole inspiration for you to
eventually become the first African American femaleto serve as the presidential crew on Air
Force One. I love it,yes, ma'am. Well, well,
(11:01):
you know, my interest in theaviation world started as a little girl.
I'm from Bermuda. I used tolive in Bermuda Island and Bermuda and coming
too the United States, there wasa flight attendant that was an inspiration to
me. She just was He mademy trip so comfortable. And that little
girl, I said, you knowhow, we say, that's what I
(11:22):
want to be when I grow up. So that's that's where my journey started.
Leaving Bermuda coming to the United Stateson that flight, And if I
was the artist, I could drawa picture of this lady, how she
looked and how kind she was tome. So unbeknown to me. Later
after high school, I joined theAir Force. After many doors closed in
(11:43):
the aviation world on the civilian side, you know, a lot of downsizing,
a lot of laying off, youknow how they were doing back early
in late eighties. So the AirForce. Not coming from military background,
but I kind of connected the AirForce airplanes, not knowing not knowing that
they had flight attendants at that time. When I joined, I began to
(12:07):
see the flights, the airplanes cominginto my base. I was stationed overseas
in England, and when I sawthe first a couple of aircraft and saw
the crew, the aircrew, Irealized that they were active duty military.
And so that's when I said Ineed I said, sign me up,
yes ma'am, yes, amen,all right, go ahead. So that's
(12:35):
what the journey began. I didn'tautomatically get on Air Force One. Of
course. I was doing another joband I had to cross train. They
called a oj T, you know, jucturin for that job, particular job.
But it took over a year forme to put in the application.
It was a whole list of thingsI had to do, and I didn't
give up. I just kept doingwhat they needed me to do. I
(12:58):
set my whole big package, wentto Andrews Air Force Base. That's the
home of Air Force One. Iwas over. I was in England when
I did all that, yeah,and therefore sent me to another base.
Before. Prior to going to Andrews, I went to Indiana. I was
like grison for a year and thenI got selected from there to not hired,
like I said, immediately fair forceone. But I started flying with
(13:20):
the Vice President of States at thetime. Yeah, you have to start
at the bottom, work the wayup. Yeah, but that's not a
bottom. That don't sound like abottom. Bottom. But yeah, that's
when I was over here. Ifelt so bad the vice president bottom right
exactly. Okay, there we go. Yeah. So that's how the journey
(13:43):
began and from took off from there. Amen. Well, so God be
the glory, you know, justto have it in his time and in
his way. He said, Ispent a year here, two years here,
two years here, And did youeven know that you were actually on
your journey to become a part ofhistory. Did you even know exactly?
(14:05):
Didn't even know? Yeah, Psalmthirty seven. I kept that scripture in
my heart. I delight yourself inthe Lord here, give the desires for
your heart. Yes, yes,I held onto that. I don't know
how it's gonna happen. Sometimes youdon't know, doors closed, you don't
know why. But it's just sucha faithful Amen, and look what happened.
(14:28):
Yeah, it happened for me,and I know it can happen for
anybody that's looking to pursue something anddreams and want don't give up because things
come your way, and that's justa sign that it's something big ahead.
Amen, you are absolutely right,But let us know more. You know,
how was it and in that time, and you know, being on
this platform at such a young age, like, was it intimidating? Were
(14:52):
you completely confident? How is yourexperience around the different presidents? And I
can't wait to ask, you knowthe last president. Well just then,
I know, well, you knowI always tell everybody I had to pinch
myself being on board probably the firsttime, well even on Air Force too.
If I started out, it justfelt unreal. You know, here
(15:16):
I am flying with our nations,our leaders of this country, you know,
our vice president. I flew withsenators and congressmen. So you know,
I just had to say, youknow, I'm here. I know
I had challenges. It was alot of challenges because it was predominantly all
male career field. When I firststart flying, it was very few women
at all, and of course Iwas the first woman of color, but
(15:39):
it was very few women. Soto prove yourself. That's why I say
challenges from the beginning, we hadsometimes some males that they weren't even comfortable
being in the military, not alone, not just flying, but in the
military alongside a woman. So Ifelt that tension, you know, and
I felt like, you know,I'm just as good as you are,
and I know I didn't. Ifelt like I had to prove myself.
(16:00):
But in the military, you stillgot to get promoted, you still got
to go to school. So it'sa lot of things you have to do
to advance, and it's a lotof competition in the career field. Our
career feel spider tendant because it's sosmall. So I was going beyond.
I was doing more things that theyasked of me. So if they said
you they might have a slot,or they need to promote someone, I
was doing what I needed to fillthose squares, you know, I mean,
(16:22):
just not trying to keep up andbe my equals. Not that I
had to prove that I could lifta case of water and loads of cases
of soldiers on the plane, butI'm finishing school at the same time,
and I'm trying to everything I neededto do to get my stripes in the
Air Force as well, you know, So there was quite a few things,
but I never gave up on anyon any challenge, and they came
(16:44):
my way. I said, Iknow I can accomplish it. I came
this far and so I know there'snot going to in here. I never
gave up and I just loved butI it was my passion to fly,
So that's what that was a dreamin itself. So to reach that and
you know, as far as comingfrom Arita's little girl and I reached my
goal to just be on an airplane. I was just excited to be in
(17:07):
the air Huh exactly. I wasliving my dream. So you know,
come what may, no one wasgoing to hurt me from going back.
And I got hired and that wasit. That was in the story.
I was there, and like Isaid, I didn't start on Air Force
once till later, but I foundout what I needed to do to even
(17:27):
get there. And it was theyhad so many permanent crew members on Air
Force one you had to wait yourturn to get The slots were slim to
none. I mean, people stayedthere until they retired. Who's going to
give up a job like that.So the time came when people started retiring
again, they said, you needanother clearance. I got that out the
(17:48):
way. You need to have moreblocks and squares filled, I got that
ready. So come when they lookin, you know, to those slots.
And I was an augmentee at thetime where you know, they spent
part time as to just kind ofsee how you work with others and how
you you know, how you getalong. Can you get the meal lot
on time? Do all that stuff. So I was preparing myself the whole
time on Air Force too. Andso when that door opened and they told
(18:11):
me how to open it, Iapplied for it. Gom dooring President Bush
forty one, he was just elected. I did four years as the ugmund
tee, part timing with him,and they picked me up permanently in nineteen
ninety. Hey man to God.Yeah. And then from there you served
(18:32):
under other presidents such as Bill Clinton. A how was that? Eight years
with President I had as well,you know, if they stayed in two
terms. Of course, the crew'snever changed unless you retire or want to
(18:52):
do something else. So I dideight full years with the President Clinton and
eight years with President Bush forty three, called forty one, we call Daddy
Bush, and then his son,of course I did. This was him
and two years with President Obama.But yeah, each president was different as
how it was to President Clinton.I'm personable, very personable. The presidents
(19:15):
began to know they knew the crewlike on a first name basis after a
while, you know, because atthe eight years, coming on the same
jet, you see the same crew, you know, so you get pretty
comfortable. But each president, likeI said, was different in their own
way. They treated the crew membersvery kind. I mean they treated us
like, you know, they knewwhere their meals were coming from. But
(19:36):
like I said, they were onemore personal. The bushes may be a
little bit more professional, you know, a little non stand offish, but
you know, more business. Likethe president Pitt will come on, even
missus Clinton, They'll come on andthey want to, you know, talk
about their trip and the adventures thatthey just they shared everything with us.
So we were like, big,yes, we have I have stories for
(19:57):
days. Yeah you should say whatwe're not leaving anything out today? Okay,
how long? I don't. Imean some things I could say,
some things I can't. Well,well, well keep it safe now,
that's all right. You served underPresident Obama. It's like who would have
(20:19):
ever known, you know, thatwould actually become and then when it did,
and then you got to have afirst hand experience. Was it everything
that we hoped it would be everythingplus some? Yes, ma'am. And
you know, I could have retired. I did. My time for the
Air Force is twenty. You couldretire twenty. But I did twenty eight
(20:41):
total service after do the service years. But everyone, my colleagues, they
were like, oh, my goodness, if I would have just stayed two
more years or I just said ayear. So to this day, I
always say I was so glad Isay those extra two years because I only
served two years with President Obama andto twenty ten, I retired, but
(21:02):
I was so glad I did thetwenty eight years just to say that I
met the first first you know,afric American President will and I got a
chance to even speak to Miss Obamaseparately of her challenges and then I shared,
you know, being the first AfricanAmerican woman on Air Force one to
serve them, I said, butyou know, I don't compare my challenges
to you as the first lady ofthe United States. But it was just
(21:25):
awesome to be able to just meetthem. Very nice, lovely couple just
nice people all around, and wehad that nice report before I retired,
and they thanked me for my serviceon my last trip with them and personable
where they had my whole family onboard to say thank you, and it
(21:45):
was so nice. Yeah, itwas Thanksgiving Eve. We flew in from
Portugal. That was my very lasttrip, and President Obama stayed back until
my parents came on board. Theycame to Andrews, they got escorted up
to the jet and got cleared andall that good stuff. And they came
up and he was asking Mom,what's for Thanksgiving dinner? And you're up
late, and so it was justit was really nice. I mean,
(22:08):
that's so you know we have normallywhen you retire, our commander, which
is a hip pilot, he letsone family member go to the White House
and do your photo op they callit. But I had flown for presidents
and I had been the longest,been there the longest even I think I
(22:29):
had been there longer than some ofthe pilots. They know, the whole
family could come on board to sayto five, so get your photo op.
So we have some good memories ofall that. Yeah, so that
was nice. That sounds wonderful andwhat an experience. Wow, And thank
you for letting us be live itfor a moment. You know, all
(22:49):
the stories like who's this, Who'sthat, Who's who's kind? You know,
who's Yeah, so thank you lettingus live with you, just just
being up there on these airplanes inclose proximity during crisis. Were you ever
(23:11):
flying during a national crisis and howdid you handle that? Yeah? I
would say probably the role the numberone crisis. There's a few because we
were so protected and we had somuch security and things even emergency, not
a whole lot of that stuff.But nine eleven, I'm the mind.
First, I was the president bushedthat on that particular mission we call a
(23:37):
mission for that trip, and ofcourse the whole country knew that day the
feeling of us being attacked, youknow, but to be with the president,
I was able to even embrace him. We had a moment that we
even shared a tier and I toldhim, I said, God's got us.
So I got a chance to seehim in a different side, and
(23:59):
he felt his you know, painas pain as the command in chief and
to know that his country's under attackand we couldn't go back to Washington.
You know, we had to doall of our plan replanning, re routing,
you know, to protect him.But that whole trip was really solemn
and just put everything on hold,all our services that we were preparing for
a meal just a short day fromFlorida back to Washington, we thought,
(24:23):
but to be the only plane inthe air and to fill the actual protection.
After I did my silent prayer,of course, and with the President
to share that hug, I lookat outside the wings of the jet and
I see the fighter planes escorting us. You know, it felt like the
angels. Oh that's feeling right there. Just I mean, I know they
(24:48):
were protecting and you know, wewere pretty safe up there, but just
to see them as sorting us becausewe were that was the first time I
really felt like we were in danger. Although I felt safe, but just
to see that that's sixteenth on eachwing. You know, if anybody came
near Force one and they were goingto be you know, they weren't being
the sky alone. But that's okay. I like. But even coming back
(25:14):
when we did finally come back home, the phone calls I received, and
to know that what was happening onthat side, you know, we're in
the air, but just all thephone calls that I received, and they
said you were the only plane inthe air, you know, because we
didn't have any phones, you know, all communications down, so I didn't
know what was going on back home, and nobody really was supposed to know
where we were for our protection.So that whole day. I think I
(25:36):
finally was able to breathe when Igot on the ground at home in my
house, but that that was itwas just it really hurt my heart just
just see even President Bush having thaton his shoulders to you know, wanting
to go back to Washington and stuff, but just it's you know, your
hands are tide and we're under attacklike that. So that was the biggest
(25:57):
crisis. To answer your question aboutsomething that sticks out in my mind that
I'll never forget that moment, youknow. Yeah, thank you so much
for sharing those of us that there'salways a question, well where were you
or what were you doing living andwhile you know that you were in the
(26:18):
air with the president first hand experience, that's a wonderful story. We we
know that you speak at different venues, but you also have a book out
right now that you're working on calleddreams and flight flight. Yes, tell
us more about it that should beout this spring. And that's crazy.
(26:42):
Basically, in my journey, it'sstarting out like a memoir. But as
I speak to schools, especially thelower grades, the youth younger, and
I try to tell them in mybook my story as a little girl coming
from Bermuda, how I was touchedby the flight attendant, her compassion and
just consoling me, leaving my countrybehind and leading you know, single by
(27:04):
to my my family and friends atthe airport, and that moment and how
I just stuck with me. Shejust made me feel so comfortable. And
so my books just starts out withmy life story leaving Bermuda up until you
know, my journey through the airport, joining the Air Force and even applying
for aviation worlds on the outside thatwas commercial. All those doors were closing
(27:26):
for a reason, and so Ifirst revered and made it all the way
in the Air Force. Yeah,and then you know, let them know
my journey and share. I havequite a few stories. It's quite a
few chapters. I talk about alot of the memorable, memorable trips,
share a few secrets. Yeah,it be interesting. Yeah, I think
(27:49):
it's going to catch hopefully. Ijust want to touch some youth, even
out of youth. It could besomeone that later in life decided they wanted
to do something they did weren't ableto do as a young person. So
to touch all ages actually, andso a lot of photos. So it
should be can it should be interesting? Thank you. I'm excited. I'm
excited. It's the first one.I've been putting it off forever and I'm
(28:11):
like, I gotta do this book. Sometimes we just have to get the
message out. So I'm glad you'regoing through the process. Are you self
publishing or do you have a teamthat's helping you with this process. Yeah,
a little bit about uh huh okay, And that's how we make it
work, family, We always makeit work. Yeah, go ahead.
(28:33):
Yeah, they're opening up the doorsfor this platform, you know, the
podcast and last spring I spoke atthe HPCU, my first HBCU, Tennessee
State University of having me and I'mtrying to encourage their our junior ROTC and
the ROTC program at the college levelthat they could just go to school as
well as serve their country. Youknow. But there's so many opportunities.
(28:55):
A lot of them don't understand thebenefits of the military. I mean,
I'm not an Air Force, I'mnot a recruiter, but just the Air
Force. I mean I'm benefited fromthe Air Force as a retiree, I
still have privileges as a veteran.So I tell them it's not just your
four years you serve. It goesa long way. You know, you
could retire it and if you joinat a young age, you can retire
in the military in twenty years you'restill thirty, you and your thirties.
(29:18):
Oh, it's so many benefits.I'm trying to help promote that as well.
And local churches here in Georgia haveme during the Black History Months or
any different events that you know,someone that hears me and wants me to
speak. But it's all about encouraging. Yeah. I even that spoke at
the Veterans the VA Hospital, otherveterans that try to pour into other veterans
(29:41):
than women that are have challenges whilethey're in the military and still looking to
pursue some dreams. Because just whenyou live and you have a lot of
life, it's a lot more thanthis. You're you know, You're here
for a reason and you got tofulfill your purpose. Yes you did,
and I don't think yeah, Butyou know, I was going to ask
you, how was it being ayoung African American woman into the armed forces
(30:08):
of the country, you know,and you said you had to earn everything
you did, You had to workhard, you had to overprove yourself over
and beyond others. But do youthink that was the right decision? And
is it an encouraging decision for othersto come on board that may be straddling
offense. You know, they mayfeel like I don't want to go into
(30:30):
war or I don't want anything badto happen to me, Like where does
that person fit in? You know? When I traveling both, like I
said, you know my story.But when I probably one of my first
places was England and a young firstout of high school, the Air Force,
(30:51):
it felt like a hmm to me, It's like a stepping stone away
from home, really easy one becausethey take care of you. I mean
I had my room and board,I had my food. You know,
you didn't have to worry about drivingoverseas. They had bus. I mean,
they just treat you. They takecare of you from basic training on.
I don't think the military just putsyou out there, you know,
(31:12):
just to hang yourself. They reallykind of guide you through so much.
They walk you to child hat orthey call the child back. Then I'm
telling them about myself, but theywalk you to the chapel with basic training,
your information, of course, yourtraining. But to me, for
a young person in eighteen, thatwas eighteen almost nineteen to go into the
(31:33):
military at that age, I haveno regrets because it didn't seem like I
was going away from home on myown somewhere you know where you have to
find an apartment and you have toyou're living out the country or something like
that. They therefore takes care oftheir people. I promote the Air Force
all day now. I don't knowabout the Marines and Army they got.
I would charge anyone a young personbecause it gives you time to figure out,
(31:57):
really what do you really want todo, because you go and I
did in England, I graduated highschool, went straight in the military.
So I went and took my collegecourses my first two years for my associates
degree. I completed that in England, so I went back. I took
classes they make time for They giveyou time give a job, of course,
but they give you time to pursue. They push education and it's free.
(32:21):
So I fell a young person.If you're struggling financially, you want
to see the world and you don'tknow how to go about it, and
you want to just you could dofour years. You don't have to commit.
I did twenty eight, of course, but it's four at a time.
I think the Army, and maybetwo or three at a time.
So it's not like you're in andyou're a lifer and you got you might
go straight to Iraq. It dependson your job, Okay, so you
(32:43):
have a Yeah, it depends whatyou select. I mean, if you're
going to be open and it's goodto sit down with a I have some
good recruiters that kind of put itall out there, the negatives as bad
as the good, the evil.So they told me what I was getting
into. But you don't have whenyou join the Air Forces, like you
want to pay off your bills.Say you got bills at home? I
tell young people all day, theyset your off count up. Your money
(33:05):
gets over there, that go straightto your so you save money, get
your education, and see the worldtravel free. So I didn't feel alone.
I felt like at I felt likethat was a good decision as a
young you know, going into myadulthood and I grew I pretty much grew
up in the military eighteen twenty eightyears so and it did me well.
I mean, like I said,you have your challenges. You're going to
(33:28):
be in a lot of male dominatingcareer fields as a woman. But if
you're going to be a cop orit depends what you choose. Of course,
we have a lot of get itjobs. You could go into the
nursing job. It's so many opportunities. You know, this guy's the lemmit
for what you want to do.If you didn't want to be a nurse.
On the outside, you could getyour four year training in the Air
(33:49):
Force and that resume you're building onyour resume. Even whatever you do in
the military, that job, ittransformed into a civilian similar you know,
they might call a different a ftoc or description, but it's the same.
I was in the military as ayou could say a military police and
it's the same as a your acop. Okay, you know, just
(34:13):
I was a cook. But you'regetting you on the outside. I want
to be a chef. Okay,I cooked four years in military. You
were just a military cook. Youknow what I'm saying. You can rewards
your resume and say how strong itwas. You know, my career for
us made a difference. And it'sthe same exact job I'm applying for when
I get out. So yeah,it's to me it was a good choice.
Hey man, Well, thank youfor giving us a low down.
(34:36):
You know, in case anyone listeningwas ever thinking, you know, if
this is good for me, Iwould take her up on it. I
would just go and see what it'sabout. There's lots of benefits. You
know, you can always become abetter person, and then you're set up.
You know, when you get out, you're set up with us the
benefits that help you move further inlife. You know, they have special
(35:00):
programs for housing and special programs foreducation, and like you said, you
can save your money. So itsounds like a one to me. Sounds
like family exactly. And your familybenefits too, like I had being indoor
ninety eleven, they had some ninetyeleven bills in Congress have passed your children
if you had children or or aspouse. They could go to school and
(35:23):
finish their degrees on the government.So they were if I could have finished
and got another master's or another doctors, I have my master's And I was
like, I think I'm good,but I can your family benefits from if
you have a child up to abouttwenty seven twenty eight years old, they
benefit as well from you just serving. So yeah, it's a lot of
(35:43):
perks to through the Air Force,military ships. They're not just the Air
Force the military. But did thiscareer ever leave room for family for you?
Yeah? You know a lot ofpeople ask me those questions, but
you're separated. To be honest withyou, a lot. You have to
(36:06):
have a strong faith and a strongsupport system if even if you have want
to have children. We had plentyof flight attendants that had children and our
career field, you know, itdepends like again, who you work for,
they can take you have your leavesand you have your your maternity leaves
and all that stuff. But ifyou have a good support system, you
(36:27):
could do it all. Just likeI guess a regular civilian job or nurses
that's got to work around the clock. You know, they still have to
have a family at home that theystill got to go to. So yeah,
you and then if you get deployedat a place where you can bring
your family with you. Of course, there's some remote sites like you won't
even want your family go with youif you've got if you had to go
to erect for all year or someSaudi Arabia, you know, for their
(36:51):
safety. But the Air Force,they try to send you somewhere where you
could bring your family. If yougo to Hawaii, of course, so
we're nice Panama, your family couldcome with you. So you and then
like I said, if they wantto stay back, you get your leaves
like a regular job to come home. And I had never missed the holiday
my family and I was in twentyyears. I was home every Christmas.
(37:14):
Yeah, and my family got tothey traveled to see me. They came
over seas quite a bit, soso that was good. And you know,
it met me halfway or something,so that worked out. Yeah.
So it took me a little overwhelmingat times, but you just got to
work it out and save your leave, you know, and save for the
birthdays and holidays, and you gottabe responsible because somebody might just use all
(37:36):
of it at one time. Andthen they get discouraged so they can't go
back. But you know, yougotta share it. You got to share
the wealth. You got other peoplethat want to go home. So yeah,
so that worked out fine for me, worked out fine, she said,
she she handled it. Okay,task you was able to ta and
I'm so glad to hear about it. I found you on social media.
(38:00):
Yeah, but can you let ourlisteners know how they can find you,
how they can support you, howthey can purchase your book. This is
your time to slug away invite themto your next speaking events. Oh okay,
well I have, Like I said, the book's still going to be
advertised on my website and we're workingon different avenues how to purchase the book
(38:22):
once they's complete. But you couldlook at and follow me on my events
and on my website, which isWanda Joe dot com, and I have
it all on there as far asevents coming. If you want to book
me for an event, booking requestand it's going to talk about a little
(38:44):
bit about me on there as well, and the media and everything that I
have done already, my email,all that good stuff is on there.
They link me also to the instagrams, and Facebook page and all that's on
my website is Wanda Joe dot It'sreally simple. My name Wandajoe dot com.
(39:06):
And I keep you informed on what'snext. And matter of fact,
I have another podcast coming up nextwhen I'll give it to you real quick.
Okay, the next one is goingto be twenty sixth of February,
I believe. Yes, that's soon. Yeah, that's next. Oh I
(39:27):
said this next one liket on aMonday, I believe. So that's the
next one. And that's boy sothat yeah, this my black issue.
They got they got it. Yeah, I was really I'm been busy this
month, so sometimes it's a littlequieter month, and then also March Women's
(39:49):
History months. I do quite afew things locally in March, but if
anyone needs to reach out and bookme to come, I travel. I'll
come to you. So I don'tmind traveling. So yeah, so I
have quite a few things coming up. This month is probably the busiest for
Black history. The good be theglory. Yes, he's opening it up,
(40:14):
I know. And I'm another favoritescript of my Philippians one six I'll
leave you. It's that he whobegan a good work in me it's faithful
to complete. Yes, so Ithink, yeah, he ain't finished yet.
I like that song. It's Hewho has begun a great work in
you. It's faithful to perform.God is faithful to perform. Okay,
(40:38):
so here we go. You saidit from the word and I got it
from the Gospel. I'm so grateful, amen, I'm so grateful that God
can be elevated in so many differentways, and people of all races,
colors, genders, wherever you're from, can just cling on to just good
(41:01):
music. You know, good musicthat celebrates Him. That's a whole nother
venue. You know, it's aform of prayer and worship. And I'm
glad that we can enjoy our historyand learn more about the careers of the
Air Force within your story. Thankyou again for joining us, Miss Wanda
(41:22):
Joel, And do you think thatyou could share one last message that you
think would be encouraging for anyone ofany age this evening. I want to
leave you with this. I'm livingproof that your dreams and desires can come
(41:44):
through. Never allow anyone to killthose dreams. You can be anything in
life that you want to be.Follow your dreams, staying courage work hards,
stay focused, respectful, be aleader, not a follower, and
never give up. Amen, bea leader, not a five at any
age, she said, get startedor keep at it God. God,
(42:07):
don't give up on God, andhe won't give on from you. And
keep him first, all right?Okay? And I will always keep him
first. You know what? Ifeel compelled to ask because I just feel
that you're a woman of scripture.You know, you've been giving it to
us straight from the sport. Socan you please, miss Joe, can
(42:29):
you can you pray us out?Would you bless us and pray us out?
Oh? Absolutely, I was gonnaleave you with this, this little
quick poem I had here too,but I didn't know about time. But
that's okay, We're gonna pray usout. Yeah, George, thank you
so much for having me as well. Oh it was a pleasure. Yeah.
Let's pray to be in your presence. Let's pray. Yes, thank
(42:51):
you, Lord, Lord. Wethank you for this opportunity to come to
come before you one more time.Lord. We thank you for this platform
and this podcast. Lord, Ipraise you. Continue to order this young
lady's step, so let her bea blessing to the community and the she
streams and podcasts, having the Fathercontinue to open up doors from heaven.
Lord, we know that you arefaithful, and we know that you promised
(43:13):
in your word to keep us enoughthe sake ds Lord, and whatever we
have to do, we're gonna giveit all back to you, because you're
gonna get the honor and you're goingto get the glory. Story gives us
all a great nice people sleep thisevening, and Jesus name, we pray
Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen, and thank you for praying with us.
Batman. Any last words, thankyou again for having nice to meet
(43:35):
you both. And I'm nice listeningto you all earlier and the music also,
and I'm going to tune in itlisten to your podcast. Wow.
Well, thank you and we willsupport you also, Miss Joe. What
you guys say that now, Iwas gonna say thank you so much.
It was a great having you onfor you know, celebrating Black History Month,
and I'm sure everybody got a lotof listening to your journey being in
(43:59):
government. You know, it's ajourney, and I'm encouraged. You know,
I've always been kind of scared.I think of my joint y'all he
thinking, is it to me,Am I too old? Get your tail
out of here, my blood pressure, I don't think so get your thank
(44:27):
you, Praise God. I'm gonnagive me some benefits from my house.
This sho in the military. Okay, well we're gonna green lighted. Thank
you that man, and thank youagain, Thank you everybody for joining us.
You have just been blessed with theinterview from this one to Joel.
(44:50):
She was the first African American femaleselected to serve as a permanent presidential crew
member. You know, she helpedthe titles, and she did the work,
and now she's encouraging us. Okayon Air Force one. So we're
thankful for her, and thank youagain for joining us. Please always come
back to Late Night with Jerry RoyceLive and Kelly Holland and never forget to
(45:15):
tap back into your unspeakable joy.Good night, everybody, good boy.
Can you feel the power? Canyou feel the power? Fuel the power?
(45:39):
A double exile? You are listeningbecause you're worst Live worldwide podcast.
Hey Hey, hey, my nameis Davies and I'm from Haiti. But
I don't even Dominican operate. I'mhere prosied Power to Me One, Jerry
(46:01):
Weiss Live Wrodlide, ah M lGOT Baltimore, Maryland, and the listening
to George Royce Clive part of That'sthe best international radio station in the hole wide world
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