Wasp Celebrates Women’s Equality Day

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Koons | Chief Warrant Officer Angela Elder addresses the audience during USS Wasp's Women's Equality Day celebration in the ship's hangar bay Aug. 20. During her speech, Elder talked about how the spirit of teamwork she has experienced in the Navy is vital to the continuing advancement of women’s rights in society at large.  

USS WASP, AT SEA

08.20.2010

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher Koons 

USS WASP (LHD 1)   

USS WASP, At Sea - For the past 90 years, women have had the right to vote in the United States, giving them equal power as men in determining who leads this nation. To honor the passage of the 19th Amendment which gave women this right, the country celebrates Women’s Equality Day Aug. 26, and USS Wasp joined in by holding its own celebration Aug. 20.

“Today, American women are leaders in business, government, law, science, medicine, the arts, education, and the military,” said Capt. Lowell D. Crow, Wasp’s commanding officer. “We recognize the hard work of those who paved the way for these accomplishments by helping to secure women’s suffrage.”

Crow noted that although women have made great strides throughout American history, they wouldn’t have reached the place they are at today without the courage of those who began the struggle for equality back in the 19th century.

“When the women at the Seneca Falls Convention in 1848 drafted a Declaration of Sentiments proclaiming they had the same rights as men, they ensured that future generations of women could realize the promise of America,” he said.

Crow also noted the significant strides women have made in breaking down barriers to success in all branches of the armed forces, particularly the Navy.

“In 1908, Congress authorized the establishment of a female Nurse Corps,” said Crow. “These nurses became known as ‘The Sacred Twenty’ and were the first women to formally serve as members of the Navy. Today, with the inclusion of the first 14 women officers aboard submarines, women are now serving in all ratings and all branches within the Navy.”

During the ceremony, a group of sailors took center stage in a series of mock debates on issues such as whether a woman should be elected president, and whether women should have been given the right to vote in the first place. The debaters each presented a series of arguments and rebuttals as to why they held to their position on these issues.

“I very much believe in women’s equality, so I was happy to argue in favor of women having the right to vote,” said Chief Petty Officer (AW/SW) Hector Respeto, aviation boatswain’s mate (fuels), who served on the debate panel. “[The right to vote] is one of our most basic freedoms.”

Chief Warrant Officer Angela Elder, Wasp’s communications officer, who is one of three generations of women in her family to serve in the Navy, was guest speaker at the event and talked about how the spirit of teamwork she has experienced in the Navy is vital to the continuing advancement of women’s rights in society at large.

“When I was going through Security Reaction Force – Basic training, all the students in my class helped and supported each other regardless of rank or rate, ethnic background or gender,” said Elder. “That’s the type of attitude that everyone, both men and women, should have today.”

• Date Taken: 08.20.2010
• Date Posted: 08.23.2010 16:18
• Story ID: 55049
• Location: USS WASP, AT SEA