Rainville joined the Vermont Air National Guard in 1988 and previously served as commander of the 158th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 159th Fighter Wing. Before that, she served in assignments with the U.S. Air Force, Air Force Reserve and New York Air National Guard. Even though the wife and mother of three children said women have come a long way through history, Rainville insisted children still stereotype by gender, thus robbing the nation of their potential skills. That is why I am here today. Women can vote, can own property, can fly fighters and serve on ships.
Men can choose to stay home with the children.
But our children still view occupations based on gender. Too many let others limit their dreams. This great nation of ours needs the talents and gifts of all its citizens to continue to thrive. Tough challenges face us and the solutions lie in our diverse strengths. Rainville cited an influential Vermonter, the late-Consuelo Northrup Bailey, who was the first woman admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, one of the first women in the nation to be elected a prosecutor, the first woman to serve as speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives, and the first woman in the nation to be elected lieutenant governor.