Marian Miner Cook
Athenaeum

Join this important discussion about the significance of military service. Few of us can predict where life will take us. For Miemie Winn Byrd ’89, an unexpected decision to try Army ROTC led to Claremont McKenna College, an opportunity made possible by CMC’s decision to open its doors to women 50 years ago, and a journey spanning military service, business, education, national security, international relations, and Myanmar’s struggle for democracy. Drawing on her experiences as a soldier, leader, educator, immigrant, and Burmese American, Byrd shares lessons from an unconventional life of service: embracing unexpected opportunities and identities, defining success from within, persevering through failure, and leading with character, kindness, and respect. She invites students to consider not only what they hope to accomplish, but who they want to become in service to something larger than themselves.