Biloxi Virginia College Staffer Meets First Lady at Ship Christening
Posted: Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Sophia Fairley, an Admissions Associate at the Virginia College campus in Biloxi, Mississippi, recently had a once-in-a-lifetime experience: meeting and shaking hands with the nation's first lady, Michelle Obama. But the meeting at the nearby Pascagoula, MS christening of the Stratton--a 418-foot, 4700-ton Coast Guard cutter--was no accident. Sophia's husband, Willie Fairley, works for the shipbuilding division of Northrop Grumman Corporation and helps organize ship christening events. This inspired Sophia to "pull a few strings" and land on the guest list!
Mrs. Obama was gracious in her compliments to the generations of shipbuilders in Pascagoula. Sophia was awed by her speech on peace, unity, life, and hard work.
"Working at Virginia College has given me the privilege of relaying the same message to my prospects and students," Sophia said. "Meeting the first lady was a great moment and something I will always treasure. When my son grows up and is contemplating his future options, I can let him know that all his desires are possible and achievable."
The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Stratton, the service's third national security cutter, is named for Captain Dorothy C. Stratton, the Coast Guard's first commissioned female officer. She directed the Coast Guard's Women's Reserve, or SPARs, during World War II. SPARs helped pave the way for women to serve throughout the military.