CORONADO, Calif – Naval Base Coronado (NBC) hosted a celebration in recognition of 43rd Annual Women’s Equality Day Aug. 26.
The observance celebrated the contributions and influence of women in American and Naval history. ABF1 (AW/SW) Cohen, the guest speaker, reminded Sailors of the importance of the 19th amendment’s passage and called attention to women’s continued efforts to achieve full equality.
“Harry T. Burn was the deciding vote for Congress to ratify the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote,” said Cohen.
Congress established the Navy Nurse Corps in 1908, but at that time no provision was made for rank or rating comparable to the Navy’s male personnel. President Roosevelt approved a congressional enactment July 3, 1942, granting members of the Navy Nurse Corps were relative rank.
“As Sailors, we are role models and the younger generations look up to men and women of the military,” said Capt. Christopher Sund, Commanding Officer, NBC.
In 1917, the Navy allowed women to enlist and serve stateside during World War I. Most of the 11,000 female yeomen who enlisted worked in Washington, D.C., as draftsmen, interpreters, couriers, and translators.
During World War II, Rosie the Riveter was a symbolic image used to promote Women of Ordnance Workers (WOWS). The wives, daughters, and sisters of men called into the military began working at factories and shipyards to take their places. Those women built the planes, ships, and equipment used during the war.
“Exposing women to opportunities that were not available to them is important because they can do it just as well as men,” said Capt. Stephen Barnett, Executive Officer, NBC, during closing remarks.
Today, more than 56,000 active duty and more than 11,000 Reserve Sailors are women. They make up more than 18 percent of the Navy’s workforce and contribute widely to its missions and operations.
On July 1, 2014, Michelle Howard became the first woman and the first African-American woman to become a four-star admiral.
Throughout history women have continued to show what they are capable of achieving, given the opportunity.
| Date Taken: | 08.26.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.02.2014 01:47 |
| Story ID: | 140922 |
| Location: | CORONADO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 58 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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