War Hero, Paralympian & Mother of Two Will Keynote 2018 Top Women in Convenience Awards

LAS VEGAS — Melissa Stockwell, a two-time Paralympian and former U.S. Army officer, will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Convenience Store News Top Women in Convenience (TWIC) awards gala, being held in Las Vegas this fall.

Stockwell competed in the 2008 Summer Paralympics in three swimming events and returned to race in the 2016 Paralympic Games, winning a bronze medal in the inaugural paratriathlon event.

Sharing her story, "From Wounded Warrior to World Champion," Stockwell will talk about overcoming obstacles, perseverance and how we all have the ability to choose our own path in life.

A first lieutenant, Stockwell was the first female soldier to lose a limb in the Iraq War. She lost her left leg when a roadside bomb exploded while she was leading a convoy in Baghdad. She was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for her service in Iraq.

She subsequently became the first Iraq veteran chosen for the Paralympics. She competed in three swimming events at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, and was the U.S. team’s flag bearer at the closing ceremonies.

After the Beijing Paralympics, she turned to the triathlon, winning the Women’s TRI-2 (above the knee amputee) class in 2010, and then successfully defended her title in 2011 and 2012. She is currently training for the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.

Married and the mother of two, Stockwell believes anyone can do anything they put their mind to and hopes her audience walks away with a greater appreciation of life and an "I can do anything" attitude.

Stockwell’s appearance is being made possible by TWIC gold sponsor Procter & Gamble. This year's gala will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Monday, Oct. 8, starting at 5:30 p.m.

CSNews launched the TWIC awards in 2014. The program encompasses four award categories — Women of the Year, Senior-Level Leaders, Rising Stars and Mentors — honoring the full convenience retail spectrum. TWIC winners must either work for a convenience store retailer company or a wholesaler or supplier directly serving the convenience store industry. 

This year, TWIC will honor 45 women across the four categories.

Click here for more information about the awards gala.