Women To Watch Awards 2026 honors Shelia Flowers

The fourth of six children, Shelia Flowers credits her success to perseverance and hard work, attributes she learned working on her parents’ tobacco farm in Robersonville, North Carolina. Upon graduating from Roanoke High School, Shelia enrolled at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where she earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration. In 2001, she earned a M.S. degree in Conflict Management from Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA. As an ROTC scholarship recipient, Colonel Howell Flowers completed her ROTC training and commissioned into the United States Army’s Adjutant General Cops in the United States Army Reserve in December 1987.

As a citizen Soldier, Shelia served 30 years in the United States Army Reserve, while simultaneously working over 22 years for Lockheed Martin Corporation in Marietta, GA and later Bethesda, MD. During the early years of Shelia’s Army career, she was assigned as a Civil Affairs Officer with the 407th Civil Affairs Company, Fort Snelling, MN, Platoon Leader with the 342d Adjutant General Postal Company, Rome, GA and as a Lanes Training, Observer Controller with the 1Bn, 347th Regiment located at Fort Gillem, GA.

In 2003, Shelia mobilized to active duty in support of Operation Noble Eagle/Enduring Freedom with the United States Army Reserve Command, Fort McPherson, GA. Through this mobilization, Shelia served over ten consecutive years of active duty for Operation Noble Eagle and Operation Enduring Freedom. During this period, she served in the G-1 Directorate as a Crisis Action Team Leader, Staff Action Officer, Equal Opportunity Officer, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Manager, and the Suicide Intervention and Prevention Program Manager.

From 2007 to 2012, COL Howell Flowers served in direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom under the Office of Secretary of Defense. In this classified assignment, she directly supported national security while serving with the highest echelons of the Department of Defense and the White House. In 2012, she returned to her civilian career with Lockheed Martin in Marietta, GA. Shortly after returning to Lockheed Martin, she accepted a new position as a Counterintelligence Analyst, Sr. and remained in this position until 2014 when she returned to active duty with the Periodic Review Secretariat under the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Shelia retired from the United States Army Reserve in December 2017, as the Division Chief of the Personal Representatives, for Detainee Operations.

Shelia has consistently demonstrated her commitment to reaching back and mentoring others through her involvement as a life member of the ROCKS, Inc. She has devoted countless hours advising young officers on how to navigate their military careers. She served as the president of the Washington, DC Chapter of the ROCKS, Inc for five consecutive years (2015 to 2020). During her presidency, she established a replicable standard regarding fiscal management, strategic planning and team building that continues to serve as a model for other chapters throughout the organization.

Under her leadership the Chapter also led the way on pivoting to virtual meetings during the Global crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing critical mentorship and leadership development to Officers, Cadets, DA civilians, and Warrant Officers on par with the National organization’s core competencies. Post-retirement, Colonel Howell Flowers (Ret) continues to support America’s Veterans through her transportation company, Glory Enterprise, Inc. Glory Enterprise is a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business that transports and delivers cooked-chilled food to seven VA Medical Centers in North Carolina and Virginia.

On a separate contract we deliver clean linen for the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. Colonel Flowers’ unwavering commitment to the overall mission of the U.S. Army extends to speaking engagements at Garrison events and ROTC events in the National Capital Region. Over the span of her careers, Shelia has been the recipient of both civilian and military awards. In 2016, she received the “ROCK of the Year Award” by her peers at the chapter level.

In 2017 she was honored with the ROCKS, Inc. National Chairman’s Award for outstanding leadership and service. In 2018, Shelia was named the ROCKS, Inc., “ROCK of the Year” at the national level for her superb service to her community and the professional development of others. That same year she received recognition as an honorary Bison by the Howard University Bison Battalion for her commitment to mentorship of the University’s ROTC Program. Her military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf, Meritorious Unit Commendation, National Defense Service medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

Additionally, Shelia currently serves on the National Board of the ROCKS, Inc. as the Vice President for Transitioning Members and Veterans Affairs where she provides information and resources to assist those ROCKS, Inc. members transitioning into and from the U.S. Army. Shelia is a life member of her beloved sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she proudly serves as the “Sergeant at Arms” of the Alpha Beta Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated. Her commitment to service does not stop there, she is also a committed member of Top Ladies of Distinction where she continues to be of service to her community and all humanity.