JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
At the age of 13 she defended her friend
from the uncomfortable approaches made by an older gentleman at church. To this
day she continues to be a voice for justice and equality for others.
For Claudia Lynch, who is now the Army Support Activity Deputy Command judge
advocate, even the smallest achievement was an extraordinary victory.
“Whenever I see injustices I try to address it, and I have done that all my
life,” said Lynch. “I always stood up for the kids that were picked on or
bullied. I have always had that in me – that desire, that passion to protect
those who can’t protect themselves.”
In high school and throughout college, Lynch found herself in positions which
provided her with the opportunity to speak up for those who were alienated. By
keeping a diplomatic approach, she used constructive ways to benefit those who
felt ignored or alone.
“Diplomacy in your dealings is always beneficial, especially in the workplace,”
said Lynch. “You can get more being diplomatic than disagreeable. I have employed
diplomacy and I am strategic in how I deal with things because I am looking for
a positive result.”
While attending Pace University, she started her career with the U.S. Army and
commissioned as a first lieutenant in 1998, serving as a judge advocate for
Fort Eustis. Lynch then returned to Fort Eustis’ legal office as a civilian,
nine years later.
For the past 10 years, Lynch has climbed her way up the chain to become not
only the deputy command judge advocate at Fort Eustis, but an example for the other
women in her office.
“She is an inspiration to me,” said Sandra Jackson, ASA paralegal specialist
and installation victim witness liaison. “She is a woman that not only wants to
be successful herself, but she wants to pull women up with her.”
Jackson, who has known Lynch since 2007, said she looks to Lynch as a mentor,
not because of her success in her career, but because of her character, since
she never allows anything to hold her back and stands up for what is right.
When it comes to seeking mentorship, Lynch has always gravitated toward women
who were well-versed in their own field of work.
“I have always sought mentorship from women who were doing what I want to do,”
said Lynch. “My advice for young women is to seek mentorship from other women
who have gone where you desire to go or who can help you chart that path.”
As a woman in a male-dominated career field, Lynch was recently asked to be the
guest speaker at an upcoming Women’s History Month event highlighting women who
are trailblazers in American history.
“The more women excel, that in of itself does something to help,” said Lynch.
“We are fighting against something that is engrained in people. So, you can
talk about what you are supposed to do and train on that all day long, but for
there to be lasting change, you have to change hearts and minds.”
Lynch believes educational campaigns and women vocalizing the need for change
has been the catalyst for improvements and she encourages women of all ages to
continue to speak for themselves, pushing for change.
“I feel blessed and fortunate for the opportunities that God has provided me to
impact other women and especially my passion for helping women find their
voice,” said Lynch. “A woman’s viewpoint is necessary. It adds something that a
man will never be able to give. We bring a different dimension to just about
everything. We are naturally visionaries.”
Lynch will speak during the Women’s History Month event at Wylie Theatre at 11
a.m. on March 31, 2017. For more information about Women’s History Month, visit
womenshistorymonth.gov.