Women: From driving trucks to driving tanks

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Ange Desinor | Col. Julie Lomax from Fort Campbell, Ky., was a guest speaker here during the Women’s Equality Day observance, Aug. 26. She talked about the history of women and women in higher positions today.  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

08.26.2014

Story by Sgt. Ange Desinor  

13th Public Affairs Detachment

FORT HOOD, Texas- Soldiers from various units, retirees and civilians attended the Women’s Equality Day here, Aug. 26, to observe the remembrance of the ratification of the 19th amendment in 1920 culminating many years of women struggling for the right to vote.

“I think it’s great that we take the time and opportunity to remind everyone the history and the struggle that women have had to have equality,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Antonio Dunston, assigned to 41st Fires Brigade, and a Spring Hope, N.C., native. “Throughout the 20 plus years that I’ve served, I continue to see females go from just driving trucks to driving tanks.”

Dunston said the military has evolved. The role of women is more significant than it was when he started his career.

“Females were in support roles back then and now they’re tank commanders and they’re flying aircraft in battle now,” said Dunston. “When it comes to equality, they make decisions in the Army just like males do.”

Col. Julie Lomax, deputy commander for nursing at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, at Fort Campbell, Ky., was a guest speaker during the observance. She talked about the history of women and women in higher positions nowadays.

Brig. Gen. Timothy J. Lai, deputy commanding general, III Corps, and a United Kingdom native, said the observance is very interesting and commemorating women is not something observed back at home.

“Women’s rights have evolved over the years,” said Lai. “The opportunities for women are far greater.”

By continuing to develop women, the Women's Mentorship Network was introduced to the Soldiers as a way for women to have access to female mentors.

Cpt. Eunyi Kim Murphy, a Queens, N.Y., native and a regimental medical planner for 3rd Cavalry Regiment, said WMN is a volunteer based program open to everyone who supports the cultivation of military leaders.

If you'd like more information WMN, visit http//www.meetup.com/Fort-Hood-WMN/

• Date Taken: 08.26.2014
• Date Posted: 09.02.2014 07:15
• Story ID: 140934
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US
• Hometown: FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US
• Hometown: SPRING HOPE, NC, US