CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Servicemembers with 2nd Medical Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25, 2nd Marine Logistics Group celebrated Women’s History Month here, March 27.
Marines and sailors honored women who served in the Navy and Marine Corps and who made significant achievements for female servicemembers.
“There are very few people today who understand the struggles and challenges women faced throughout history when it comes to the military,” said Navy Capt. Cameron L. Waggoner, the commanding officer of 2nd Medical Bn. “Women have been in the military when the opportunity to receive the benefits [men] got were not afforded to them. There were challenges they faced day in and day out, but they continued to serve their country.”
The speakers highlighted women such as Brig. Gen. Margaret A. Brewer, the first female brigadier general in the Marine Corps, and Rear Adm. Grace M. Hopper, who helped develop early computer systems.
“For Brewer to [be a general] and to have the kind of respect we give women nowadays was harder for her because she was making it on her own,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Patrick L. McElhinney, a corpsman with the unit. “With Brig. Gen. Brewer, the Marine Corps realized that women could do just as good a job as men. There are so many women who made it after her because she was a strong leader.”
Brewer served as Deputy Director of Women Marines until the office was disbanded because of successes in the expansion of female roles in the Marine Corps.
Although Brewer achieved significant milestones for female servicemembers, Hopper led a charge for everyone. It was Hopper’s childhood interest in mechanics that put her on the road to fame.
“As a child, she was curious,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Zacharia D. Raymaker, a corpsman with the battalion. “She disassembled all of her parents’ alarm clocks just because she wondered how they worked, a trait she carried on through the rest of her life.”
Hopper researched computer technology for the Navy at Harvard University during World War II and became an early computer programmer. She also developed a computer system language, which could use English instead of computer code.
The battalion also highlighted other noteworthy female servicemembers, and discussed their hard work and dedication to their families, military and country.