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The Rhodesia Herald,

March 24, 1978

WOMEN can control women far better than men can. There is a lot of emotionalism between men and women, whereas a woman in command can go ahead with whatever is required in a purely logical way.

So says Captain Barbara Trow, Commandant of the Rhodesian Women’s Services and the first woman captain in the Rhodesian Army.

Capt Trow was appointed to the rank of acting captain this week, although she has been in charge of the RWS since she was commissioned in November 1977.

She joined the RWS nearly three years ago. Before that, she worked as a public relations officer with a marketing firm in South Africa.

“I was born in Rhodesia,” she said, “but my parents went to South Africa when I was young. I always wanted to come back here and had always wanted to join the Army so I took the opportunity when the RWS was formed.

“Originally I expected to do more of a military-style job, but I am doing a ‘people job’. I thoroughly enjoy the work and am pleased to think I am helping to get women of Rhodesia to fulfil a useful role in the Army. There are so many jobs a woman can do.”

Speaking of the future, she said: “I think women could also play a more active role in the Army. It does, however, depend on the type of woman they are. I don’t think you can just put a woman into the bush – she has got to have a feeling for it.

“The original intention of the RWS was for women to do jobs, which would release more men for the bush, but I can see them playing a more active role in the future.

“We now cater for career-minded girls, who can enter the Army and immediately start training in the field into which they want to go. Because of this emphasis on the Army being a career, we are also offering career guidance.”

LESSONS FOR TODAY

• Women can be more rational than men, especially in terms of making critical decisions that require a rational mind.
• Home is always best. In life, we sometimes get into situations which take us away from our homes and people we love, but we always find our way back.
• When you set your mind on doing something, it is easy to achieve and excel in it.-
• Never underestimate someone because of their gender but do so using their abilities because they can easily shock you.