Portraits of Diversity

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1. What is your name and what do you do in the Coast Guard?
"My name is Iris Pennypacker and I’m a Health Services Technician Coast Guard at Air Station Atlantic City. I am responsible for maintaining the health and readiness for more than 200 members at this unit and surrounding units."

2. Describe diversity in a word or two and explain what it means to you.
"I chose the word UNITY because even though we all come from different backgrounds here in the Coast Guard, we all come together to get our jobs done. Maybe that's why they call our billets a unit."

3. How has your experience and background prepared you to be effective at
your job?
"Growing up in a large and loving family really prepared me for my job in many ways. First, there is the age difference between myself and my siblings whom are older. I had to be able to fit in and really learn group dynamics at an early age. Second, with my sister being biracial, I was exposed early on that family isn't as much about race as it is about love and respect."

4. Tell me a little bit about your life outside of work.
"Outside of work I am a wife and a mother of three. I am currently taking an EMT course to help me advance in my career. I like to stay active so when I'm not chasing around my youngest son age 3, I take a ballet class every week. I also love photography! If I'm not taking pictures of my children, I'm taking pictures of the beautiful things that nature has to offer."

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Auxiliarist David Lau

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1. What is your name and what do you do in the Coast Guard? "My name is Iris Pennypacker and I’m a Health Services Technician Coast Guard at Air Station Atlantic City. I am responsible for maintaining the health and readiness for more than 200 members at this unit and surrounding units." 2. Describe diversity in a word or two and explain what it means to you. "I chose the word UNITY because even though we all come from different backgrounds here in the Coast Guard, we all come together to get our jobs done. Maybe that's why they call our billets a unit." 3. How has your experience and background prepared you to be effective at your job? "Growing up in a large and loving family really prepared me for my job in many ways. First, there is the age difference between myself and my siblings whom are older. I had to be able to fit in and really learn group dynamics at an early age. Second, with my sister being biracial, I was exposed early on that family isn't as much about race as it is about love and respect." 4. Tell me a little bit about your life outside of work. "Outside of work I am a wife and a mother of three. I am currently taking an EMT course to help me advance in my career. I like to stay active so when I'm not chasing around my youngest son age 3, I take a ballet class every week. I also love photography! If I'm not taking pictures of my children, I'm taking pictures of the beautiful things that nature has to offer." U.S. Coast Guard photo by Auxiliarist David Lau

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Tags: America, service, diversity, Reserve, new jersery, AUXILIARIST, Uscg, Coast Guard, Military

Photo by: Auxiliarist David Lau | VIRIN: 160301-G-QD712-164.JPG

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