JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - The Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall community gathered at the Fort Myer Officers Club March 12 to observe and celebrate National Women’s History Month.
This year’s program featured an address from JBM-HH Commander Col. Mike Henderson and a keynote speech from Dr. Victoria A. Dixon, equal employment opportunity director for the Army Test and Evaluation Command at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Aberdeen, Maryland.
“Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate the contributions and honor the sacrifices and accomplishments of women who not only shape our military but our nation as well,” Henderson said during his address. “This year’s theme, ‘Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives,’ honors the extraordinary and unrecognized determination and tenacity of women. Against social convention and often legal restraints, women have created a legacy that expands the frontiers of possibility for generations to come.”
Henderson said that women have shown their courage, character and commitment as mothers, educators and leaders in business and politics.
“Their lives and their work inspire girls and women to achieve their full potential and encourage boys and men to respect the diversity and depth of women’s experiences,” he said.
Dixon’s address – which started with her passionate rendition of the chorus to Whitney Houston’s song “I’m Every Woman” – stressed the importance of equal opportunities for women both professionally and in life in general. By working together as a united community, the nation can achieve greatness, she said.
“We know we can do it,” she said. “We just want the chance.”
She mentioned a number of women who capitalized on such chances, including Sandra Day O’Connor, first female justice to serve on the Supreme Court; Navy Adm. Michelle J. Howard, the first woman and African-American woman to become a four-star admiral; and Army Maj. Gen. Laura Richardson, the first female commander at Fort Myer.
“Why do we pay attention to ‘firsts?’ Because history books haven’t been fair,” she said. “That’s why we celebrate Women’s History Month.”
Dixon compared women to lionesses, powerful creatures who nurture and hunt together.
“We don’t want you to give us anything,” she said. “But we don’t want you to stop us from getting it either.”
Dixon noted that the U.S. military was home to 206,000 female service members and 245,000 female civilian employees.
That mutual respect and opportunity will enhance the military’s and the country’s performance, she said. “Come together as women and men and partners in humanity.”
| Date Taken: |
03.12.2015 |
| Date Posted: |
03.19.2015 18:41 |
| Story ID: |
157576 |
| Location: |
JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, VIRGINIA, US |
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