INA, Ill. (April 24, 2017) - Three women working in the male-dominated criminal justice field spoke to students at 海角视频 Monday about their experiences in two non-traditional occupations. Judge Jo Beth Weber, Resident Circuit Judge for Jefferson County in the 2nd Judicial Circuit, addressed the audience first, followed by two Mt. Vernon Police Department (MVPD) Police Officers Brittany Webb and Sara Peas.
The event was hosted by Careers without Limits, a recently-formed student support organization for those pursuing non-traditional careers, which include any in which a specific gender makes up less than 25 percent of the workforce. Click on the images below for larger views.
Kristina Shelton, RLC Perkins Coordinator, said the event was made possible through the Special Populations Support Grant issued through the Illinois Community College Board. She continued, "Our guest speakers were great role models for female students interested in a career in criminal justice. It's important for students to know they can succeed in their chosen occupations."
Three speakers spoke with students in RLC's Criminal Justice program Monday afternoon in the Student Center. Pictured is, FROM LEFT, MVPD Officer Brittany Webb, MVPD Officer Sara Peas, Judge Jo Beth Weber, and RLC Criminal Justice Professor Ron Meek.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Judge Weber used the word "persevere" to speak about her background and how she came to be a judge in Jefferson County. She said, "One thing I wish someone had talked to me about was perseverance. I want you to understand how to persevere and make it happen. I had all these excuses as to why I didn芒鈧劉t want to go to college, or finish law school, or become a lawyer. Every time you work hard for something, the outcome isn芒鈧劉t always positive, but you have to persevere."
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Officer Webb explained the challenges she faced as an officer and volunteer firefighter that brought her to her current position with the MVPD. She said, 芒鈧揃eing a female, I figured I芒鈧劉d get made fun of or mocked. I芒鈧劉m surrounded by men, but I was always just one of the guys. I thought I had to keep proving myself. When I joined the Mt. Vernon Police Department, I first thought I wasn芒鈧劉t cut out for it, but after a while, I realized I want to be as good as anyone else. It was a drastic change for me. Now I芒鈧劉m trying out for the Drug Task Force, and I don芒鈧劉t want my being female to be an excuse. If I make it, I芒鈧劉ll be the first female officer on the task force.芒鈧�
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Officer Peas attributed some of her success as a female officer to the connections she made in college. She said, 芒鈧揑芒鈧劉ve always wanted to help people. I have the gift of gab, and I love my job. It芒鈧劉s typically a man芒鈧劉s job. They芒鈧劉re police 芒鈧渕en芒鈧劉 and patrol 芒鈧渕en.芒鈧劉 My journey started at 海角视频 and I芒鈧劉ve kept my connections here. It helped me get my foot in the door. It芒鈧劉s not easy, but very worthwhile.芒鈧�
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
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