BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- The typical career for a young black woman in Louisiana in 1959 was maid or laundry service. When Althea LeBlanc had the opportunity for a career with the Air Force, she jumped on it. Her daughter would follow the same path 20 years later.
“Since I was a little girl growing up in California, hearing stories of my mom’s time in the Air Force, it has been my dream to wear the uniform,” Master Sgt. Bianca Sellers-Brown said. Bianca entered the delayed enlistment program in the beginning of 1980. Unfortunately, her mother’s plan for a 20 year Air Force career was cut short after marrying her father. At that time, a woman ended her career when she chose to become a wife and mother.
“My mother had limited career opportunities because she was a woman. In the Air Force, women were mandatorily separated for pregnancy at that time,” Bianca explained. “I don’t feel that I have had any unique challenges during my military career. I have been fortunate and blessed to always have had supervisors and commanders who have encouraged my enthusiasm to serve and make a contribution to the mission.”
Bianca’s Active Duty career spanned the globe with assignments including Royal Air Force Fairford in the United Kingdom as her first duty station. Twelve years of service was not enough for Bianca. After a four year break in service, she returned, but this time with the Air Force Reserves, joining the 917th Fighter Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base, La., in 1997. In the 19 years since, she has provided administrative support to many different work-centers including vehicle maintenance, propulsion, transportation, and has supported the orderly rooms in the maintenance and force support squadrons. Today, she is the Unit Program Coordinator for the 307th Mission Support Group, a part of the 307th Bomb Wing on Barksdale Air Force Base, La.
“My parents wanted the next generation, my generation, to have the liberties promised to every American, regardless of race or gender, to have a better opportunity for a higher education and a better future,” Sellers-Brown said. “Like my parents, our Air Force history is filled with bold Airmen who challenged the status quo and dared to fly, fight and win. I have had every opportunity to advance my military career, being limited only to myself.” As Bianca nears retirement she feels that she has helped close the gap on inequality and that future generations will have less struggles and reminds her husband that their quality time will come.
Not only did Bianca and her mother pursue military careers, her sister, Tanya Sellers-Rogers, had also spent some time in the Army. “I remember in the sixth grade, my sister told me that she was going to join the military, buy a big house, a fancy car and retire by 50,” Tanya remembers. “We are all so proud of her and what she has accomplished.”
Opportunities for women in the military have increased over the years. In 1960, just over one percent of the Air Force was women. By 1980, when Bianca enlisted, it had risen to almost 11 percent. Today, women make up 19 percent of the Air Force, the highest of any service.