This Women’s History Month, TEDxJacksonville invites you to an extraordinary Salon event on Thursday, March 27th at @thejessiejax, featuring a powerful conversation with Col. Eries Mentzer (Ret.)—a trailblazing leader who shattered barriers in the U.S. Air Force as the first Black woman to command Maxwell Air Force Base in Birmingham, Alabama.

At our recent conference, Col. Mentzer earned a standing ovation for her riveting talk on “The Freedom to Serve”—a call to action to remove obstacles that prevent all Americans from reaching their highest military potential. Now, she returns for an intimate video screening of her talk, followed by a live, moderated discussion where she’ll dive deeper into the challenges and progress of ensuring equal opportunity in military service. This is your chance to ask questions and contribute to the conversation.

Col. Mentzer’s three-decade career is a story of resilience, historic firsts, and a deep commitment to honoring those who paved the way for future generations. Her insights into modern efforts to shape an equitable armed forces will challenge and inspire you—whether you’re passionate about leadership, democracy, or the power of service.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with a true change-maker and explore what it really means to have the freedom to serve. Register now to secure your spot.