Phenomenal woman award winner named!

Jacqueline Carlé, Community Engagement Manager at Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (left), presents the Maritime Command Pacific Phenomenal Woman Award to CPO2 Nathalie Scalabrini.

Chief Petty Officer  Second Class Nathalie Scalabrini, a senior instructor at Canadian Forces Fleet School Esquimalt, was presented with the Phenomenal Woman Award at the Pacific Women’s Day, held at Royal Roads University on Saturday April 9.

The award recognizes a woman from the military, National Defence or a military family in Maritime Command Pacific for significant achievements or contributions to her community.

Chief Scalabrini is the first woman Naval Electronic Sensor Operator to reach her rank and was cited for her dedication, hard work and tenacity in challenging situations.

Her diverse volunteer roles include the MARPAC Defence Women Advisory Organization; superintendent of the St. John’s Ambulance Division 61C Youth Program; squad member of CFB Esquimalt Urban Search and Rescue; and field technician with the Search and Rescue Dogs Association of Victoria.

When asked what she is proudest of in her life she answered, “My kids.” They have learned, as she did from her own mother, “You’ve got to give back in order to receive.”

Many years ago, she discovered a quotation that has been her life’s rule: Alone, you can go faster but together we will go farther.

“It works,” she says. “It so works.”