Subscribe
CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division honored four females consisting of, two Soldiers, an Airmen and a civilian during the Woman’s Equality Day commemoration Aug. 26, held in the Morale Welfare and Recreation Theater.
The event was designed to enhance cross-cultural awareness and promote harmony among all military members, their families, and the civilian work force.
Women’s Equality Day commemorates American women achieving full voting rights under the U.S. Constitution by the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.
1ABCT honored the four women for their outstanding performance, selfless service and dedication to mission accomplishment during the early stages of the deployment.
“We thought this would be a great time to recognize the four phenomenal women for their achievements on a day that was set aside not just for women’s voting rights, but for women achieving equal rights,” said Sgt. 1st Class Frank Desario, brigades equal opportunity coordinator.
Sgt. Mia Eubanks, a combat medic with 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment started the event by singing the national anthem, followed by Maj. Michael McDonald, chaplain 1ABCT, giving the invocation.
Lt. Col. Jennifer Hicks-McGowan, Camp Buehring commander, Area Support Group, told the crowd that the Congress had designated Aug 26 as Women’s Equality Day in her opening remarks in her opening remarks.
Hicks-McGowan also read a passage from the bill that proclaimed Women’s Equality Day is a symbol of women’s continued fight for equal rights and that the U.S. commends, and supports equal rights for women.
“I am forever grateful to the women that have sacrificed and contributed so much in the cause for women’s equality,” said Hicks-McGowan. “We not only commemorate the passage of the 19th Amendment, but also call to attention to women’s continuing efforts toward full equality.”
The program also featured a Maya Angelou poem read by Sgt. 1st Class Kathleen Sipes, lead brigade sexual harassment / assault response prevention program and Orange County, California native.
Eubanks and 1st Lt. Chalonda Estelle, executive officer with Company F, 101st Brigade Support Battalion, and native of Rocky mount, North Carolina sang a song by Jill Scott, which got the involved. The crowd stood on their feet and began clapping and tapping their feet to the song by the duo.
“It was a privilege to be able to stand up and sing an uplifting song about our freedom to speak out, to praise and to vote for these distinguished women of excellence,” Estelle said.
The highlight of the event came from guest speaker Capt. Aprill Bright, 101st Brigade Support Battalion chaplain.
Bright told the crowd of heroic exploits of women throughout the ages and how they have changed many things by speaking up.
“Being heard brings validation to our opinions, it provides the opportunity for us to leave a mark,” Bright said. “I am so thankful for those women who paved the way for our generation of women who are now reaping the benefits.”
Bright a native of Charlotte, North Carolina said we must set the next generation up for success.
Col John Reynolds III, commander 1st ABCT presented the four women of excellence a commander’s coin for their outstanding work.
“This was an in creditable honor,” Ms. Christina Ambrose, volunteer coordinator with the United Services Organization incorporate said. “I am so proud to be among these amazing women in uniform being recognized for what I do for others on such a special day is truly a blessing.”
Reynolds closed the event by telling the crowd about the heroism of a former female Soldier, Elizabeth Thompson a military Police officer, who provided neutralizing suppressant fire after he was shot while on patrol in 1993 in Mogadishu.
“Elizabeth Thompson didn’t ask for recognition for what she did, my hats off for the enormous strides women have made in our profession,” Reynolds said. “Women should have been in combat positions ages ago.”
| Date Taken: | 08.26.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.20.2014 02:24 |
| Story ID: | 142797 |
| Location: | KW |
| Web Views: | 109 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 1ABCT observe Women’s Equality Day while deployed, by Bernhard Lashleyleidner, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
LEAVE A COMMENT