USCGA Alumni Association: Fifty years ago, women first walked through the gates of the United States Coast Guard Academy. They came with determination, with uncertainty, with courage. They stayed. I shouldn't have been there. I shouldn't have made it there. ⁓ But I did. And I think the bottom line is I was supposed to be there for some reason. They served when it mattered most. I got the call. I it was the deputy sector commander that called me and she said, Erin, are you awake? And she said, this is the big one. I got into the command center. The CDO turned his computer around and said, watch this. And it was the surveillance video of the ship hitting and then the bridge collapsing like a bunch of op-semistics. And they made sure others would follow. It was an incredible opportunity. It was an honor actually to be able to have that XO role. to look out for other women. When the class behind us came in, suddenly there was twice the number of women, and then when that third class came in, there were three times the number of women, so we saw women everywhere. So it seemed like a lot, even though it really wasn't a lot. It was comforting, and I was honored to be able to be a leader in that situation. Through thoughtful conversations, we're honoring the women who paved the way, reflecting on the journey of the last five decades, and celebrating the impact still unfolding today. I am Nicole Bogdan, class of 2012, and your host for this series. Follow 50 years of her story and join us as we share these stories throughout the year. 50 years of courage and counting.