Sister duo Ashley Dellavalle Jung and Paige Dellavalle Walker have been breaking the mold for what it means to be a woman for some time. They both graduated from West Point, one of the most prestigious military academies in the country, and served in the US Army.  The sister duo strongly supports women and veterans, so much so that they created their #BeOne Give Back campaign in order to help others.

What is one piece of advice that you would give someone who is at the start of their career?

Paige: Find your passion and do that! Life is too short to be doing something that you don’t love.

Who is your most admired cultural heroine? Why?

Ashley: I admire any woman of any race, ethnicity, religion, social status, or sexual orientation who breaks barriers and shatters glass ceilings even if it is in the smallest way.  There were recently two women West Point graduates from Ranger School, previously only attended by men.  They overcame the physical, mental, and emotional obstacles of a very difficult experience.

What moment, in your career or personal life, are you most proud of?

Ashley: In my career, I’ve had so many moments in time when I was proud. When you work really hard at something and put your entire heart into and then have success, it’s a very sweet feeling. The day I graduated from West Point and became a U.S. Army Officer was pretty amazing.  I knew if I could get through that place, I could do anything I wanted with my life.  I also graduated from a really grueling Army Training School that only four females had graduated in prior. I truly felt like a Woman Warrior at that time. The day I came home from my 15-month deployment in Afghanistan, I was elated. And now as a designer, being accepted into CFDA was also very gratifying.

Women’s roles in society have changed dramatically over the past several decades. How have these changes had a personal impact on you?

Paige: In 1975, women did not attend West Point and most women did not work out of the house!  I feel fortunate to do both.  My life would have been very different if these changes didn’t occur. We’ve come a long way, which I am so very proud of…but I know that we still have a long way to go.

What future goals do you have for yourself?

Ashley: There are too many to list. My first priority is to raise my two children into adults who are kind, thoughtful, and high performing members of society.  I also have many goals for Stella Valle.  Our next big goal, when the time is right, is to launch into another category like eyewear or handbags.