Photo By Sgt. Jon Heinrich | Lt. Col. Octavia Coleman, commander of Army Field Support Battalion-Hawaii, presents...... read more read more
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SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii – In 1971, the U.S. Congress designated August 26 as Women's Equality Day. The date was selected to commemorate the August 26, 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote.
Army Field Support Battalion – Hawaii held a luncheon & ceremony to commemorate this major turning point for women’s equality at the 25th Sustainment Brigade Dining Facility. It was a chance for all Soldiers to recognize the rapidly expanding roles for women in the Army, to include combat and leadership positions.
The importance of the day resonated with the female Soldiers in attendance as they had a chance to reflect on the struggles of the past, and appreciate where we are today.
“It’s the accomplishment of resilient pioneers like Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and others, who devoted decades of hard work to ensure women’s voices could be heard, that set the path for many of us today,” said Lt. Col. Octavia Coleman, commander of AFSB-H.
“It’s quite obvious that women’s rights have made leaps and bounds, yet today we look back on all that women have gone through to make today possible and we thank them,” Coleman said.
Women have served the Army since 1775 and continue to remain an invaluable and essential part of today’s Army. Female Soldiers serve on teams as commanders, leaders, engineers, mechanics, aviators, special operators, technologists and combat troops.
Coleman stated that the military has aided females in overcoming obstacles by placing them in roles they have certainly earned, including Army Gen. Ann Dunwoody, Air Force Gen. Lori Robinson, Navy Adm. Michelle Howard, Army Capt. Kristen Griest and Army 1st Lt. Shaye Harver.
As guest speaker for the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Susan Davidson, commanding general of the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, spoke about how the Army is a great example of gender equality compared to the outside world.
“I realized in the Army there isn’t a difference. An E1 with one day of service, male or female, gets paid the same,” Davidson said. “A two-star general with 30 years of service, male or female, gets paid the same.
Davidson also talked about how in the Army, everyone is defined as a Soldier and not by gender, but noted that in emails she receives the introductions often address her as Sir. There are also congressional documents on military justice and leadership that still use the outdated terminology of "an officer and a gentleman".
“Congress hasn’t changed the wording,” Davidson said. “It doesn’t bother me. I don’t care. It’s the respect they show by acknowledging I’m a commissioned officer. It’s the respect they show by acknowledging I’m a general officer that matters.”
“It isn’t relevant to me if you call me sir,” Davidson added. “Doesn’t bother me. You see me as a Soldier, and that’s how I take it.”
Our country and our Army have made great progress in building a free and fair society, and the Army will continue striving to fully realize justice and equality for all.
“We are equal as Soldiers,” Davidson said. “Leadership demands that. If you feel like that’s not true you have to let someone know. We will fall apart, as an Army, if we ever lose that basic premise that all Soldiers are treated the same.”
| Date Taken: | 08.22.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.31.2016 19:38 |
| Story ID: | 208651 |
| Location: | SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 142 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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