IWAKUNI, Japan - In the military, one is taught to treat all fellow servicemembers equally, as if they were their brother or sister. Equality is something which should never be an issue, but for many women, it hasn’t always been that way.
The station, alongside the rest of the United States, will take time to observe a day honoring the 19th amendment, Aug. 26, 2012.
The station is slated to celebrate Women’s Equality Day at the Sakura Theater with two showings of “The Help,” a movie demonstrating African-American women's struggle for equality while working as nannies for white families. Admission for the showing is free.
The first showing is scheduled for 9 a.m., and the second showing is scheduled for 12 p.m. Participants can purchase food and drinks at the concession stand.
The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution declared the right for women to vote in all public elections, starting Aug. 26, 1920. American women waited 42 years for congress to pass the amendment granting this basic democratic right.
In 1971, the U.S. Congress designated Aug. 26 as Women’s Equality Day to honor this victory for women.
“We’ve chosen the path to equality,” said Geraldine Ferraro, the first woman nominated as Vice Presidential candidate representing a major American political party. “Don’t let them turn us around.”
In addition to the showing of “The Help,” Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron will implement an all-female command deck on Aug. 27. The female Marines will fill leadership roles to include commanding officer and sergeant major until Sept. 5.