ABOUT THE WOMEN MARINES ASSOCIATION
The Women Marines Association is the only veterans association for and about women Marines. WMA is a non-profit 501(c)(3) veteran organization. The Women Marines Association was established in Denver, CO, in 1960 to ensure that our history as women Marines would continue to be told and passed on to a new generation of Marines. Aside from our charitable & educational activities, our members enjoy renewing old friendships and creating new ones through the mails and in attending our biennial convention. Chapters and members across the nation work on preserving our history, community programs and supporting our military personnel.
WMA is a member of the Navy-Marine Corps Council and the National Marine Corps Council. We also maintain a liaison with Headquarters, Marine Corps. Our National Historian works closely with the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and the Marine Corps Association to coordinate an award for the preservation of our history and an essay contest.
WMA National Convention and Professional Development Conference is held Every two years, WMA holds a national convention and professional development conference where members gather for a week of educational seminars, visiting with old friends, making new friends, attending banquets and business meetings and partaking in what the locale has to offer. Active duty Marines attend via TAD orders for seminars related to their Marine Corps career.
COLORADO COLUMBINE - WM HISTORY CHAPTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Paula Sarlls, President - Paula is a Denver, CO native and one of six children. She was a Marine Sergeant and Air Controller and radar controller who served at Parris Island, SC, Millington,TN NAS, Quantico, VA MCAS, and Glynco, GA NAS. She met her husband Tony in the Marine Corps and they've been married for 39 years in March/'08 with one daughter. Paula had a 33+ year government career and retired in '04 after 21 years with US Customs. She entered into veteran related volunteer service in 2000 and has expanded that service greatly since her retirement serving as National President of WMA 2005 to 2008 and Chapter President from 2002 to present.
Loretta Krook, Vice President - Loretta grew up in Youngstown, Ohio, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1982 after graduating from high school. She spent my four year tour working as a legal clerk in the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. I worked for the Navy-Marine Corps Appellate Review Activity - Office of the Judge Advocate General. I was honorably discharged with the rank of corporal in 1986. My husband and I then moved out to Colorado and I have since made this my home along with my three children. I am currently working as an office manager for an engineering firm in the Denver Tech Center.
Carron Barrella, Treasurer/Events Coordinator - Carron was born and raised on the south side of Chicago to a working class family. Along with the structure and discipline of Catholic schools, living with three brothers prepared her for life in the Marine Corps. Carron served as a Military Policeman and met her husband, who was also a Marine, while stationed in Iwakuni, Japan. Carron has been married for 18 years and has two children. Carron currently works as the Application Support Analyst for the Colorado District Attorneys’ Council in Denver.
Jan Clay, Secretary - Janet was born and raised in Pueblo CO. In October of 1982 at the age 19 Janet joined the United States Marine Corps. Janet spent her career in the administration field and retired after 20 years of honorable service in October 2002. She graduated from Aurora Community College in May 2007 with an Associates of General Studies degree and a Paralegal Certificate. While at Aurora Community College, Janet was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and had the distinction of being on the National Dean's List. She is currently working toward her Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice at Colombia College in Aurora, Colorado. Janet currently works at the National Labor Relations Board in Denver, Colorado. Discipline, courage and commitment are the qualities I learned by which I live my life today.
ADDITIONAL CHAPTER OFFICES
Nancy Wilt, History Project Coordinator - Nancy grew up in the Detroit area and paid for college by being a curator interpreter at the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. Upon Graduation with her BS in Foods and Design, Nancy joined the Marine Corps being commissioned a second Lieutenant. Nancy served as a food service officer using her college degree to manage Navy and Marine Corps Food Service programs at major commands. Nancy reported to The Basic School as the first woman staff officer in 1972, managing the officers mess operation both at the school and in the field as well as all formal receptions and events. In addition Nancy was an Instructor of Lieutenants. Nancy then assumed Command of the Woman Marine Company at Quantico. Upon completion of this assignment, Nancy became the Command Food Service Officer managing the Bakery and Butcher Schools for the Marine Corps as well as eleven dining facilities. Nancy ended her career in the Corps as Food Service Officer at MCAS Kaneohe Bay Hawaii and was the IG FMFPAC Food Service Inspector.
Since leaving the Corp Nancy has worked for giants in the Food Industry including ARAMARK and SODEXHO, Nancy has been based with Texas Instruments and Raytheon Corporation as well as with USAA as Corporate Services Director. Nancy conceived and helped to implement “The History Project” of the Colorado I Chapter of the Women Marine Association. This collection of the History of the Women who have earned the title Marine is nationally recognized and known. A two year museum display was the initial result of the project and is currently a portion of the collection touring the United States. Nancy is married to Ned Wilt and they have one son Patrick and two grandchildren.
Amy Contreras - Public Relations Officer - Amy Shope Contreras joined the Marine Corps in February 1993 while a senior in high school in Charlotte, N.C. After graduating boot camp at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island she went on to Redstone Arsenal Alabama to be trained as an ammunition technician. She served at Ammunition Company, 2nd Supply Battalion, 2nd Force Service Support Group in Camp Lejeune North Carolina and then transferred to Camp Schwab in Okinawa Japan. In 1996, Lance Corporal Shope received orders to 1st FSSG to work in the Ammunition Supply Point. While serving at Las Pulgas on Camp Pendleton in the ASP, then-Corporal Shope was chosen to fill a temporary duty as the Administrative Chief for Headquarters and Service Company office where she was able to attend Cold Weather Survival Training. While in 1st Supply Battalion she was chosen to go on another additional duty and serve as the Battalion Legal Chief for the Sergeant Major who eventually talked to then-Sergeant Shope about making a lateral move to the Public Affairs Military Occupational Specialty.
In 1998, Sgt. Shope transferred to I Marine Expeditionary Force and became a combat correspondent, writing for The Scout, Camp Pendleton's base newspaper. In the summer of 1999, Sgt. Shope was moved to Recruiting Station Frederick in Maryland to be the Marketing and Public Affairs Specialist for the recruiters in the Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia area. In 2001, Staff Sergeant Shope was transferred to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina to be the Press Chief for the Public Affairs Office. After a year she received orders to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to be the Public Affairs Chief. In 2001 she married Gunnery Sergeant Paul Contreras whom she met while stationed at 1st Supply Battalion in 1996.
In early 2003, Staff Sergeant Contreras became the Editor in Chief of The Globe, Camp Lejeune's base newspaper. While in charge of the paper it was recognized as the best newspaper in the Marine Corps by the Division of Public Affairs during their annual awards. In October 2004, Staff Sergeant Contreras was transferred to 2nd FSSG to be the Public Affairs Chief and started predeployment work-ups for an early 2005 deployment to Iraq. Staff Sergeant Contreras served as the Public Affairs Chief for 2nd Marine Logistics Group (Forward) (formerly 2nd FSSG) and served as the chief for 2nd MLG (rear) when she returned from deployment.
Staff Sergeant Contreras was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps after 13 years in 2006. She currently resides in Castle Rock, Colorado with her husband and two sons.