Soldiers celebrate women's history

Courtesy Photo | 'Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Williams, 2nd Brigade Combat Team intelligence non-commissioned officer in charge, steps forward to address who she is and her role as a woman March 29 during the Women's History Month Celebration at the Forward Operating Base Kalsu dining facility. Soldiers celebrated Women's History Month through poetry, skits, speeches and music.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

04.02.2008

Story by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – It was a celebration of history based on "her" story.

On March 29 at the Forward Operating Base Kalsu dining facility, Soldiers gathered to celebrate Women's History Month.

The theme of the event was Women's Art, Women's Vision, focusing on how artists and women share a passion for creating, and like visionaries, have plans for the future.

"We've talked a lot about people in history, but I want you to know you are making history," said Col. Terry Ferrell, commander of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, to the women in attendance at the event. "Each of you is a hero to someone back home."

Knowing that many people back home view today's service women as heroines was awe-inspiring for many in the audience.

Capt. Lea Lato, 2nd BCT intelligence operations officer, who served as guest speaker, reiterated this point by speaking of the respect one of her role models, Jane Gauger, had for women in the military.

In her speech, Lato spoke about Gauger's own struggles, escaping with her mother from an abusive father, escaping from her own abusive marriage, all while raising two of her own children as a single parent struggling through college.

"She never tells this story (of her past). The story she does tell is how proud she is of both her daughters. Her oldest daughter is an officer in the United States Military," Lato said. "When someone with as much strength and vision as she has thinks women serving in the military have gone through tougher things than she has, I'm honored."

Lato, and the participants who performed poetry, song and skits, were honored at the end of the ceremony with certificates of appreciation.

Women's History Month is one of five equal opportunity months celebrated by the Army yearly. The next monthly celebration occurs in May, which celebrates Asian Pacific Heritage.

The next EO celebration will be April's "Days of Remembrance" for victims of the Holocaust.

• Date Taken: 04.02.2008
• Date Posted: 04.02.2008 15:36
• Story ID: 18001
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ