Aviation Brigade celebrates Women's Equality Day

Courtesy Photo | CAMP TAJI, Iraq -- Chief Warrant Officer Sezandra Pinckney (left), B Co. 603rd Aviation Support Battalion, and Staff Sgt. Tonya Chisholm, 3rd Battalion 3rd Aviation Regiment (Attack Reconnaissance) Equal Opportunity NCOIC, open the Women's Equality Day ceremony with the cutting of the cake. The ceremony was held in the dining facility here Aug. 26.  

TAJI, IRAQ

08.28.2005

Courtesy Story

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Spc. Derek Del Rosario
Aviation Brigade PAO

CAMP TAJI, Iraq -- Women celebrated their new right to vote Aug. 18, 1920 with the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Women and men in Task Force Baghdad celebrated that milestone 85 years later on Aug. 26 in a Women's Equality Day ceremony at the dining facility here.

The 3rd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment (Attack Reconnaissance) sponsored the ceremony which featured a song and video presentation, and an address by guest speaker Chief Warrant Officer Sezandra Pinckney, B Company, 603rd Aviation Support Brigade.

"The 19th Amendment paved the way for women in America," Pinckney said in her speech. "We live in a much different country today. We have made progress over the last 85 years, but we still have a way to go."

The 19th Amendment grants U.S. citizens a vote that 'shall not be denied or abridged by the United Sates or by any State on account of sex," and is an amendment that Lt. Col. Morgan Lamb, 3-3 ARB commander, recognizes as an essential document to the progress of America.

"Thankfully, we live in a nation that accepts change, and change has to occur (for progress), that is why we have this amendment," Lamb said. "We realize the role of women and that is why we celebrate Women's Equality Day."

Pinckney feels that equality in the right to vote was just the first step. Equality has led to more political, leadership, and military opportunities for women, and is one of the reasons she celebrates Women's Equality Day.

"Today is not about "woman vs. man," it's about woman and man, and what they are doing for their country," she said.

• Date Taken: 08.28.2005
• Date Posted: 08.28.2005 14:58
• Story ID: 2852
• Location: TAJI, IQ