Being a first or an only in one's chosen field can be a daunting role; especially for those who seek the attention of becoming a history maker. Thankfully, Monica Lawson is not one of those people. In 2020, Lawson became the first active-duty Black female chaplain to pin on colonel rank in the Army. And yet, she views this impressive accomplishment simply as the byproduct of her fulfilling her life's purpose.
The Army chaplain is a qualified religious leader dedicated to serving Soldiers and families. Chaplains provide ministry worldwide, accompanying Soldiers and families as they carry out missions in both peace and war. Chaplains are charged to nurture the living, care for the wounded and honor the fallen. While soldiers are at the heart of the chaplain’s ministry, chaplains are also responsible for the soldier’s family. Family members often need spiritual encouragement, counseling and prayer. Lawson’s current duties include spearheading the recruiting process for accession chaplains and chaplain candidates. Women comprise just 5 percent of the active-duty Army Chaplain Corps and thus Lawson is motivated to increase the number of female chaplains in the military.
Lawson’s entrance into the military wasn’t even a planned one. After losing her scholarship to Spelman College during her sophomore year, she needed a way to continue paying for school. A classmate suggested she consider the military and the rest is history. Lawson enlisted in 1988 as a reservist, and joined ROTC as a cadet before becoming a signal officer in the reserves. Fast forward more than 30 years later, the Alabama native has a degree in Child Development from Spelman and has earned many awards during her military career including the Bronze Star Award, Meritorious Service Medal with Silver Oak Leaf, Iraqi Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, the Meritorious Unit Citation and the Army Staff Identification Badge. Lawson also has two master’s degrees and is an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Lawson explains, "I didn't answer the call to make history but rather I answered the call to bring about change." She continues, "I was also the first Black woman on active duty to complete the Army's Family Life Training Program at Fort Bragg [in North Carolina]. This opportunity led me to encourage and recruit more women to pursue Family Life Chaplaincy training. I know there are other significant assignment firsts that I may have accomplished as an Black woman in the Army Chaplaincy but I haven't kept track of them. "If I am doing what God has called me to do and setting the example He wants me to set, my being the first will open the door up for others to ensure I will not be the last or the only. We have some very gifted and talented women in our corps. The sisterhood we have is one of the things that helps us to stay encouraged as we continue to fulfill our calling."
We are grateful for the contributions of Bridgette Royall, who created this month’s content.