By Police1 Staff
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Law Enforcement Museum, in coordination with the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives (NAWLEE), is set to host “Walking the Same Beat: The First Patrol of Women Officers,” a virtual discussion event. Scheduled for Friday, March 22, 2024, at 2 p.m. Eastern, this free event aims to shed light on the challenges and achievements of women in the law enforcement field.
The event draws inspiration from the landmark accomplishments of Sgt. Betty Blankenship and Sgt. Elizabeth Coffal Robinson of the Indianapolis Police Department, who on September 10, 1968, became the first female officers in the United States to undertake patrol duties akin to their male colleagues.
The upcoming panel discussion will focus on the enduring influence of Sgt. Blankenship and Sgt. Coffal Robinson, while also examining the broader experiences of female officers in the police force, and contemplating the future and ongoing development of women’s roles within law enforcement.
NAWLEE Executive Director Kym Craven will moderate the discussion. Panelists include Valerie Cunningham, Catherine Cummings, Nikole Pilkington and Jaylin Harris, all of whom are affiliated with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
