![Colonel Sheri A. Swokowski (ret.)](https://wisvetsmuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Swokowski-500x500-1.jpg)
Colonel Sheri A. Swokowski (ret.)
Sheri A. Swokowski served in the Army National Guard from 1970 to 2004 and retired as a colonel. Swokowski discusses serving as an infantry officer while living as a closeted transwoman during her thirty-year career. The majority of her interview is focused on the job, including detailed descriptions of restructuring Wisconsin’s 32nd Infantry Division, her development as a leader, and her work at the Pentagon. In her retirement, Swokowski became an advocate for trans-service members, connecting this population to each other, the public, and members of Congress.
Clip 1:
Transcript for Clip1:
Clip 2:
Transcript for Clip2:
Clip 3:
Transcript for Clip3:
Complete interview audio:
Complete interview transcript:
Catalog Entry:
![Swokowski on the cover of Visibility Magazine, July 4, 2016.](https://wisvetsmuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Swokowski_1_VisibilityMagCover-500x685-1.jpg)
Swokowski on the cover of Visibility Magazine, July 4, 2016.
![Swokowski at the Pentagon where she worked as an analyst for over two years.](https://wisvetsmuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Swokowski_2_Pentagon-500x666-1.jpg)
Swokowski at the Pentagon where she worked as an analyst for over two years.
![Swokowski with her good friend LTC Andrew White at his military retirement party in Fort Myer, Virginia, in 2009.](https://wisvetsmuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Swokowski_3_Boss-and-Me-685x500-1.jpg)
Swokowski with her good friend LTC Andrew White at his military retirement party in Fort Myer, Virginia, in 2009.
![Swokowski with Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning at Pentagon Pride in 2016.](https://wisvetsmuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Swokowski_4_SAFanning-685x472-1.jpg)
Swokowski with Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning at Pentagon Pride in 2016.
![Swokowski spending time with her grandchild and enjoying her retirement.](https://wisvetsmuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Swokowski_5_grandbaby-500x685-1.jpg)
Swokowski spending time with her grandchild and enjoying her retirement.
If your are interested in interviewing for this project, please contact Luke Sprague, Oral Historian or Rachelle Halaska, Project Lead.