Travis marches to celebrate women

TRAVIS AFB, CA, UNITED STATES

03.25.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Charles Rivezzo 

60th Air Mobility Wing

With banners stretched wide and signs held high, more than 160 people marched in unison down Travis Blvd. to celebrate Women's History Month March 24.

The march, dubbed "March for Women's History," culminated in front of the wing headquarters building, where Solano County Supervisor Linda Seifert served as the keynote speaker.

"This month we want to honor and recognize women that have helped shape America's history and its future through their public service and government leadership," Seifert said.

The county supervisor spoke about the "three P's" - a set of characteristics - which she says she sees most profoundly in women who shaped history and challenged barriers: Patriotism, Passion and Purpose.

"There are many women who preceded us that made the impossible, possible," Seifert said. "We can learn from them, we can appreciate them and emulate the tools they employed to advance in public service and government."

Seifert mentioned influential women in military service such as Opha May Johnson, the first woman to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps, and Annie G. Fox, the first woman to receive a Purple Heart for combat for her actions as the chief nurse during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

"Today more and more women, like all of you, are choosing military service as a way of life and choosing to place their lives at risk to ensure those of us here at home remain free and safe," Seifert said. "We are truly fortunate to enjoy the benefits of that kind of patriotism right here in Solano County, where military service is woven into the fabric of our history, our values and our everyday life.

"There are nearly 2,600 women stationed here at Travis Air Force Base and I would say they truly inspire all of us on a daily basis, so I say thank you," she continued.

Master Sgt. Shevaun Reighter, 60th Air Mobility Wing protocol superintendent and event coordinator, spoke about what it means to stand on the forefront of that inspiration.

"We all need role models to look up to," Reighter said. "People are inspired when they can see themselves in someone else. As both a woman and an Airman, I aspire to serve as a positive role model to the present and future Airmen that will take my place. It is important to honor the present and remember the past, while paving the future."

Reighter said that events like these band the members of Team Travis together for a common purpose.

"It was a superior demonstration of fellowship," she said. "This was not a mandatory event, and yet we were able to fill the streets with representation from all three wings in the name of Women's History Month."

• Date Taken: 03.25.2016
• Date Posted: 05.05.2016 12:57
• Story ID: 197406
• Location: TRAVIS AFB, CA, US