Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey Troutman | 170315-N-ON468-081 PEARL HARBOR (March 15, 2017) Adm. Harry B. Harris, Jr., Commander,...... read more read more
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An observance ceremony in honor of National Women’s History Month was held at Sharkey Theater on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, March 15.
The ceremony highlighted trailblazing women who have paved the way for future generations in both the community and military professions and featured an array of guest speakers sharing their experiences.
Berneicea "Bee" Worrell, a local community figure, shared with the audience her journey from being a young, ambitious college student to becoming the first African-American to start a real estate brokerage firm and property management company in the state of Hawaii.
“It was just a dream of mine; it was just something that I wanted to do, with all that I had,” Worrell said of her real estate business. “I stepped out on pure determination and faith, not knowing how I was going to accomplish my dream but determined to do so regardless.”
Worrell encouraged the audience to find their passion in life, regardless of gender or race, and seek to fulfill it.
“When you make that decision to do something different and realize your purpose, the universe opens up for you,” said Worrell. “It may take an undetermined period of time, but it will happen if you work hard enough for it. Women’s History Month teaches us that everyone – not just women – has something valuable to contribute to the world.”
The observance ceremony also included a leadership panel of three female military service members – Col. Julie Boit, Lt. Cmdr. Cindy Suarez and Command Sgt. Maj. Janet Thomas -- who fielded questions from the audience about how their careers applied to Women’s History Month, and shared stories about the important women who helped them grow into the leaders they are today.
“My first head of department on my first ship has been the mentor I have modeled my career after,” said Suarez. “As a female officer, she taught me how to lead my junior personnel effectively and to keep myself calm and collected, no matter what obstacles I may face.”
Boit said sometimes the best advice isn’t even the typical kind we are accustomed to.
“The best “advice” I ever received came from watching a female military leader I admired and wanted to follow the example of,” said Boit. “My entire career, I’ve tried to emulate the leadership example that one female leader set for me early on. If I can come even just a little bit close to living up to the example she set for me all those years ago, I’ll feel fulfilled.”
Adm. Harry B. Harris, Jr., Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, praised the role women have played in our nation’s history and saluted those who continue to set the example for the future generations of female service members in the military.
“We’ve come a long way in recognizing the value of women, and their role in helping our military become a more effective force,” said Harris. “I challenge each and every one of you here today to do your part in moving our military forward in the right direction. We all deserve to be recognized for our merits, and not be held back by our genetics. Take care of each other, by focusing on what we all have in common: a love for our country.”
National Women’s History month was established in 1981 as a week of recognition but was expanded in 1987 to encompass the entire month of March. Since 1988, U.S. presidents have issued annual proclamations designating the month of March as National Women’s History Month.
| Date Taken: | 03.15.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 03.16.2017 02:22 |
| Story ID: | 226987 |
| Location: | PEARL HARBOR, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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