Share your Story Women

Each year, the Vermont Womens Fund seeks to honor women and girls who embody the impact of programs that they help fund.  This year, VWF awarded Mandy Wooster, a graduate of the Step Up to Law Enforcement program the Holly D. Miller Award. Mandy took advantage of the opportunities provided by the program/project to transform her life for the better.  Her story is below.

Mandy Wooster began her job as an Assembly Technician at Husky Injection Molding Systems in 2000.  By 2002, she had been promoted to Quality Technician.  She was a lead auditor, a staff trainer, and was well respected in her position.  In the fall of 2005, she learned she was soon to be laid off.  She had to find a new job quickly.  Her family – including her two small daughters – needed the income.

In addition to her family’s financial needs, Mandy hoped to find a job that would satisfy her desire to make a difference in her community, a position in which she could take pride and “be an outstanding role model for my two daughters.”

Having served in the Coast Guard from 1995 – 1999 (enlisting at the age of 17), Mandy turned to the Local Veterans Employment Rep at the Vermont Department of Labor for employment assistance.  During her meeting, she was handed a Step Up to Law Enforcement brochure.  Knowing the pride she had felt in the Coast Guard – “wearing a uniform each day and making a difference in the lives of others,” – Mandy was interested.  She contacted Vermont Works for Women and began her application process.

While she had experience in law enforcement in the service, Mandy did not have connections with the local law enforcement community.  She knew the program would be instrumental in helping her prepare for the entrance exams to the Police Academy, in meeting local law enforcement professionals, in navigating the extensive and intimidating agency application processes, and ultimately in having a successful experience at the Police Academy.

Mandy took advantage of every opportunity the program had to offer.  She pursued ride-alongs and facility tours with policing and corrections professionals she met through the program and thoroughly explored the full range of local career options open to her.  She was persistent and consistent in preparing for the written exam and in her extensive physical conditioning.  When she began her application process with two local police agencies, both told her that her participation in the program was looked on in a very positive manner.  She had been “pre-screened” by our program, and it was clear she was serious about the field.  She learned what to expect at the Oral Board interview, and every other step of “the most stressful application process you could imagine.”  Mandy approached the program as if it was her job, and ultimately was hired by the University of Vermont Police Services shortly after her successful completion of the program.

Mandy loves her job.  Loves her co-workers, the work environment, and takes pride in giving back to her community.  Mandy was the first rookie to receive the agency’s leadership award, and she was promoted to Sergeant – her current rank – after 3.5 years on the force.  An additional plus for Mandy is her daughters will both be able to attend the University of Vermont free of charge if they choose.  Mandy is extremely generous in acting as an advocate and role model for VWW and our program participants.  She has regularly presented in the Step Up to Law Enforcement Program since her graduation – and she is always one of the most popular presenters.  Mandy is the exact kind of person you hope will become a cop.  She takes pride in her job and how she is able to give back to her community; she is an excellent role model for her daughters and other Vermont women and girls; and she carries an admirable humility and a wonderful heart within her confidence.

How did Vermont Works for Women help you? Share your story (by commenting below) and see how others were affected by Vermont Works as well!