Courtesy Photo | Deer Park, N.Y., native Lt. Col. Holly Cook, the staff judge advocate for the 1st...... read more read more
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By Spc. Nathan Hoskins
1st Air Cavalry Brigade Public Affairs
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Adversity is a part of life and women know this all too well. For many years women were treated as lesser individuals – unequal in the eyes of men. It was not until 1916 that the first woman was allowed to serve side by side with men in congress, said Deer Park, N.Y., native Lt. Col. Holly Cook, the 1st Cavalry Division staff judge advocate.
Four years later, women finally received the right to vote when the Nineteenth Amendment was passed, she said.
The 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cav. Div., welcomed Cook along with Iraqi native Suzan (full name withheld for security purposes), a lawyer who works with coalition forces, as guest speakers during a Women's History Month celebration hosted by 615th "Cold Steel" Aviation Support Battalion at Camp Taji, Iraq, March 19.
The theme for Women's History Month this year is "Generations of women moving history forward."
"So often, we as both Soldiers and Americans do not have an appreciation for the struggles and sacrifices of those that preceded us. With little or no reward or recognition, women have led progress in our country and military forces since the birth of our nation," remarked Baraboo, Wis., native Lt. Col. Mark Hirschinger, commander of 615th ASB.
He continued on to remind the audience about the many prominent heroines, such as Dr. Mary Walker.
"Dr. Mary Walker was a prisoner of war during the Civil War and the first and only woman to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for her military service," said Hirschinger to the packed theater.
Following Hirschinger, Cook spoke about the importance of diversity in the Army.
The reason we celebrate and honor the many different groups in the Army is not to single out any particular race or gender, said Cook, but to recognize their achievements and contributions, take pride in them and learn from them.
Still, she did not want to lessen the fact that everyone in the Army, no matter race or gender, is important.
"... let me state one central truth about military history. No one in the military accomplishes anything because we are women or men, black or white or Hispanic. We make things happen because we are Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. Competence is our watchword," she said.
The highlight of the celebration ceremony was Suzan's speech. She talked about the hardships the Iraqi women face each day.
"Traditions and customs have the essential role of controlling the Iraqi woman's personality ... and have caused the loss of her identity. She was torn between accepting those traditions and customs (or) rejecting them. She had the knowledge and vision to build a productive society but she couldn't escape the burdens imposed by traditions," she told the audience.
These customs and traditions put Suzan's life in danger every time she walks out the front door of her house to go to work. Not the traditional stereotype, Suzan stands out among her peers in a dress suit – her face uncovered – working a job normally held by a male in her society.
While this way of life has kept Iraqi women out of sight, a new hope is slowly rising – the hope of equality.
"Modern Iraqi society has paved the way for Iraqi women to change their status. The independence of the political society – focusing on free speech, economic development, and social change – has set the stage for their liberation," said Suzan.
Although circumstances may be getting better, there is still a battle raging – pushing through hundreds of years of tradition.
"This change is just beginning and there is still a big difference between women's ambitions and reality, in which customs and values act as a thick wall separating women from opportunities available to men," said Suzan.
Suzan explains that the top reason that Iraqi women are losing what small freedoms they have recently gained is because of terrorism.
"This way of thinking is causing women to lose their freedom again. Terrorism surrounds their lives and threatens their families. Try to imagine women suffering in a new society that is calling for democracy, freedom, and equality between men and women while it is being threatened by an unstable security situation," she said.
This unstable situation in Iraq is being dealt with by people, and more specifically Soldiers, who want a better future for all people regardless of race, nationality or gender.
"As we continue to move forward in the 21st century, the role and contributions of all women will become even more important as we navigate the changes in our military and our society. And, it is the job done by those of you here serving today which will continue to open those doors of opportunity," Hirschinger stated in his remarks.
Women have come a long way in the military and have never sought special treatment, only the right to be treated fairly and equally, he said.
Today, many women are serving next to men who are all fighting for democracy in Iraq – the freedom for men and women alike.
There are over 350,000 women serving in the U.S. military – about 15 percent of active duty personnel. One in every seven troops serving in Iraq is a woman, said Hirschinger.
While there is progress being made to bring freedom to Iraq, the mission is not over and there should not be any rest till it is completed, said Suzan.
"Empower women, and let them enrich society with their love, warmth, and knowledge to build a new Iraq. To the Iraqi women, working side-by-side with men developing this country, I say: we have accomplished much, but we cannot, we must not, we shall not stop now," she declared.
| Date Taken: | 03.26.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 03.26.2007 16:25 |
| Story ID: | 9632 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 101 |
| Downloads: | 61 |
This work, Soldiers Celebrate Women Accomplishments, by SGM Nathan Hoskins, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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