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    Providers celebrate, appreciate Women’s History Month

    Providers celebrate, appreciate Women’s History Month

    Photo By Staff Sgt. Tanjie Daniels | Spc. Alexandra Lebron, a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 623rd Transportation...... read more read more

    KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN

    03.20.2013

    Story by Sgt. Tanjie Daniels 

    3rd Division Sustainment Brigade

    KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — In honor of Women’s History Month, the 3rd Sustainment Brigade recognizes its female soldiers who help shape the organization.

    The origins of Women’s History Month, which is observed from March 1 through 31, began March 7, 1982, as Women’s History Week. It wasn’t until 1987 that Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating the entire month of March as Women’s History Month.

    Since the American Revolutionary War, women have held a major role in the U.S. military. Although not in uniform, they served as nurses, seamstresses and cooks for the Troops. Others carried messages to the battlefield, transported contraband and served as spies who would alert the American soldiers about enemy movement.

    Approximately 20 percent of 3rd Sustainment Brigade-Task Force Provider—currently deployed throughout Afghanistan’s Regional Command-South, Southwest and West—is female. That percentage includes service members with the 495th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Montana National Guard; the 393rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, U.S. Army Reserve-Puerto Rico and their attached Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve-component companies.

    “I think the contributions of the females Soldiers are just as important as those of the males, and to be honest I don’t see ‘male’ or ‘female’ I only see ‘soldiers,’” said 1st Sgt. Ralph Algiere, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, and native of Mendota, Ill.

    “I'm glad that there is Women's History Month because I think that we should recognize the important impact that women have made on the army as an organization. They have and will continue to break that glass ceiling on equality every day by meeting and exceeding the standards—I hope it continues to happen,” said Algiere.

    Women’s History Month is a month declared annually, worldwide. One that Chief Warrant Officer (3) Rosaline Ricketts, the senior supply systems technician for the 3rd Sustainment Brigade, said she greatly appreciates.

    “I am very grateful that there is a month reserved to show honor, appreciation and respect to women for all that they do,” said Ricketts, a native of Gaithersburg, Md. “Since the beginning of time, women all over the world have strived for equal rights with their male counterparts, so this month helps recognize females whose accomplishments may have been overlooked throughout history.”

    Someone who shares similar sentiments is Sgt. Serena O’Brien, a unit supply specialist for the 495th CSSB, and native of Helena, Mont.

    “I think having this month for women is a good idea because sometimes people forget where they came from and the struggles that we women have,” said O’Brien.

    Even though there is a month to help recognize women, there are still adversities that females may face, said Master Sgt. Sundi Ganaway, the senior human resource noncommissioned officer for 3rd Sustainment Brigade, and native of Rockford, Ill.

    “I try to ensure that I am the best non-commissioned officer that I can be, by always remaining tactically and technically proficient and hopefully that will establish my credibility,” she said.

    Ganaway, who had a female mentor her throughout her Army career, said that the best advice she was given was to never give anyone a reason to doubt her.

    “This to me meant that I had to be a well rounded Soldier,” said Ganaway, who has 17 years of army service. “I had to know more than just my job, and by doing that, more opportunities would open up.”

    Ricketts said what has helped her be successful in the army are the values that her parents instilled in her: to be strong, remain humble and to treat people with dignity and respect regardless of their race, rank or gender.

    “The advice I will give young female soldiers that may face adversity is to have self-respect, stay strong and don’t let anyone determine their value or worth,” said Ricketts. “Never give up regardless of the situation or circumstances that they may face, and above all, make wise choices and never forget your professional attitude as a soldier, let alone as a female soldier representative.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 03.20.2013
    Date Posted: 03.20.2013 10:23
    Story ID: 103788
    Location: KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, AF
    Hometown: FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, US
    Hometown: FORT STEWART, GA, US
    Hometown: GAITHERSBURG, MD, US
    Hometown: HELENA, MT, US
    Hometown: MENDOTA, IL, US
    Hometown: PALATKA, FL, US
    Hometown: ROCKFORD, IL, US
    Hometown: TACOMA, WA, US

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