NAIROBI,Kenya, Feb, 9 – Kenyan born Veronica Moraa Pickering made history in the U.K army after being the first black woman to be appointed the Royal Air Force honorary Air Commodore, the equivalent of a commodore in the Royal Navy or a brigadier in the British Army or the Royal Marines.
Just how did she soar above life’s obstacles on her way to the top?
Born in Kenya, Veronica Moraa Pickering left for the United Kingdom with her family at the tender age of 7. She says her life’s journey hasn’t always been smooth.
“All the time i was studying,I thought that is not quite enough,I need to do more…but I had a problem, that I hadn’t even realized at the time that when I write I find it difficult sometimes to put the right words in the right order but when I speak, I am fine,” said Pickering.
It is in her search to move into life coaching that made her cross paths with a university lecturer, who advised her to get counseling.
“I described my problem to her and she said that..I think you are dyslexic,” she said.
But that wouldn’t stop Veronica.
Through hard work with young people, she turned her challenges into a success she would never have dreamt of.
In 2013, she was appointed as a Deputy lieutenant for the city and county of Nottingham-shire, where she also resides.
“The appointment was formalized and I got official recognition. a letter saying that the queen has approved your appointment….I then realized quite quickly that there weren’t very many people like me and in particular no other black woman, Kenyan in this role,”
Her duties as a royal appointee meant she worked with the community and enabled royal engagements.
5 years later, another royal appointment came along, one that would have her adorn military uniform, and engage with the forces in a higher capacity.
“I’m an honorary air commodore, and I am told its a senior position equivalent to a three start general. its very senior role, so whenever I’m in the presence of the royal air force, people recognize that role,”
As an honorary air commodore, the position that is appointed by the reigning monarch, the appointment does not grant the recipient command of a unit or formation.
“There is the chief of the air staff and his role is to oversee the whole of the R.A.F there are designated individuals who look after us as honorary H.A.Cs,”
It is designed to strengthen the bond between the military unit and the individual and promote the role of the air force amongst the public.
“The positives for me have been learning so much quickly, about an area of society that I did not know anything about and how much amazingly brave and talented these people were and still are the highlight for me is wearing that uniform because I never though in a million years that I would be wearing a uniform like that…..” she said.
For those in active service, the rank of air commodore is also used in a number of the air forces in the Commonwealth. Veronica says she would like to see the Kenya Defence Forces link up the civilian and military world via such officesin the future.
Her five year term expires in 2023.
Veronica is preparing to take up another Royal appointment, that of the High sherriff for Nottinghamshire, a one year role that she considers a fresh challenge.
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