Former Black Hawk pilot to share her ‘you can’ message at Ladies Night Out
Elizabeth McCormick, one of the Army's first female Black Hawk pilots, is bringing her inspirational story and message to Marble Falls on Nov. 9 as part of the annual Ladies Night Out celebration at First Baptist Church of Marble Falls. Call (830) 693-4381 for more information. Courtesy photo
DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR
MARBLE FALLS — As a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot, Elizabeth McCormick faced her own mortality more than once. After two near-death experiences, she realized she wasn’t the one piloting her life and decided to take the co-pilot seat.
“I discovered God may need me as a co-pilot and surrendered my life to God’s will,” she said.
On Nov. 9, McCormick will share her story with women attending Ladies Night Out in the Family Life Center Building at First Baptist Church, 501 12th St. The event starts at 4 p.m. with about 15 shopping booths set up to peruse before the meal and McCormick’s program at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets for the event are $15.
The annual event is a way for women to gather and share a night with each other before the holiday rush sets in.
“One of my favorite parts of the event is seeing all the women from the community get together and focus on themselves,” organizer Sue Holley said. “We get so busy, especially during the holiday season, we forget to take the time for ourselves and each other.”
During Ladies Night Out, the men of the church will serve the women and even help shuttle them from the church parking lot to the center. It’s just another way to enjoy a special evening.
Along with fellowship and shopping, women will hear McCormick’s inspirational story. After joining the military in 1994, she became one of the first female Black Hawk pilots. She flew numerous missions, including air assault, command and control and military intelligence. She also supported the United Nations’ peacekeeping operation in Kosovo.[box]IF YOU GO
WHAT: Ladies Night Out
WHEN: 4 p.m. Nov. 9
WHERE: Family Life Center Building at First Baptist Church, 501 12th St. in Marble Falls
COST: $15
FOR MORE: Call Sue Holley at (830) 693-4381[/box]
In 2001, McCormick retired as a chief warrant officer 2 after a career-ending injury. During her service, she earned numerous honors, accommodations and awards.
Since retiring, McCormick has authored six books, including her latest, “The P.I.L.O.T. Method — the Five Elemental Truths to Leading Yourself in Life.”
Though most women might not feel they can identify with McCormick’s background, the former pilot presents her story in a way that resonates with everyone.
“One of my gifts is how I make the ‘unrelatable’ relatable through my storytelling and humor,” she said. “I take the aviation stories and share them with lessons of what I learned and how it can apply to anyone’s life.”
During the Nov. 9 presentation, McCormick plans on explaining how to live a more limitless life, something she’s demonstrated and learned through both her military and public-speaking careers.
“When I decided to join the military as a helicopter pilot, there were plenty of people who told me, ‘no,’ and, ‘you can’t do that,'” McCormick said. “We cannot give up that belief in ourselves just because somebody else doesn’t believe.”
The biggest thing holding back people, especially women, from setting high goals isn’t the lack of knowledge or skills, McCormick said, but the lack of faith in oneself.
“It’s when the voice of the doubter in your head drowns out the confidence we know to be true,” she added. “Especially as women, we tend to listen to ‘you can’t’ instead of ‘you can’ and undermine our confidence.”
During Ladies Night Out, McCormick will give women two strategies they can use to boost their belief and confidence in themselves.
The event is open to all women. Call Holley at (830) 693-4381 for more information or tickets. Go to www.yourinspirationalspeaker.com for more on McCormick. She will have copies of her latest book available during the event.
daniel@thepicayune.com