About me . . .

Who I Am
 
I'm Maria Rosario Brown, a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant who spent over 20 years serving our country. I joined the Army at 26 as a young mom seeking stability and purpose. What I found was so much more than that—I discovered my calling as a leader.
 
My Military Journey
 
My final assignment was as First Sergeant at Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawaii, where I had the honor of leading one of the largest Army medical companies in the service—over 600 soldiers at any given time. Leading in a medical environment during some of the most challenging times in recent history taught me that leadership isn't about having all the answers; it's about taking care of your people and making the tough decisions when it matters most.
 
The photo you see of me receiving recognition represents countless moments of responsibility, sacrifice, and growth. Every ribbon, every award tells a story of soldiers who trusted me to lead them through uncertainty.
 
Why WomenServe Exists
 
When I retired, I left with more questions than answers. How do the leadership lessons learned in combat zones and medical crises translate to civilian life? What does it mean to serve when you're no longer wearing the uniform? How do we, as women who've led in high-stakes environments, continue to make an impact? WomenServe was born from those questions.
​
What You'll Find Here
 
This isn't a polished leadership blog with all the answers. This is where I share the real stories—the moments when leadership felt impossible, the decisions that kept me awake at night, and the lessons learned from leading 600+ soldiers through some of their most vulnerable moments in a medical setting.
 
I believe these stories matter because leadership principles are universal. Whether you're leading soldiers, managing a corporate team, running a nonprofit, or raising a family, the challenges of making tough decisions under pressure remain the same.
​
Currently I'm pursuing my degree at NYU's School of Professional Studies, exploring what comes next in this journey of service and leadership. I'm discovering that transitioning from military to civilian life isn't just a career change—it's a complete lifestyle redesign.
 
My Commitment to You
 
I promise to share honestly about both the victories and the struggles of military leadership. No sugar-coating, no perfect success stories—just real experiences from someone who's been there, made the hard calls, and learned that true leadership is about serving others, even when it's difficult.
 
Welcome to WomenServe. Let's figure out what comes next, together.