Makin Island Celebrates Woman’s History Month

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Devin Langer | 180320-N-LI768-1188 SAN DIEGO (March 20, 2018) Retired command master chief, Sharon M. Fortsom, middle, and Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) cut two cakes during a Women’s History Month celebration at the base theater at Naval Base San Diego. Makin Island is in dry dock at General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) for a depot-level maintenance availability. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Devin M. Langer)  

SAN DIEGO, CA, UNITED STATES

03.20.2018

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Mathew Diendorf 

USS Makin Island (LHD 8)

USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Sailors celebrated Women’s History Month in the base theater at Naval Base San Diego, March 20, honoring and celebrating the struggles and achievements of American women throughout the history of America.

This year’s theme was “Honoring Women Who Fight All Forms of Discrimination.” During the ceremony, nine Makin Island Sailors gave a presentation featuring women service members throughout history who continue to inspire to this day.

The event’s keynote speaker, retired command master chief, Sharon M. Fortsom, discussed the inspiration drawn from women who shaped history and paved the way forward; especially for proud service members like herself.

“March was designated women’s history month as an opportunity to recognize ground breakers of the past, thank the heroines of today and inspire leaders for our future,” said Fortsom. “It is a reminder that if we believe in ourselves, we can make a difference.”

Over the last century, women have served aboard auxiliary ships beginning in 1978 and on combatant ships beginning in 1994. In 2016, the Department of Defense opened all military occupations and positions to women. This was the final measure taken to ensure that women can continue to maximize their integral role in the success of the Navy as they have throughout history.

“Our nation has been enriched by so many women whose lives and work have transcribed this country and solidified America’s spirit,” said Fortsom. “Over generations, those women have broken through boundaries of social injustices, constraints that they couldn’t speak, act, write or live in a way that helped create and define the character of our nation. And they did it for all of us; they did it for you and me, men and women alike. What these trailblazers, these women of courage and vision unwittingly accomplished along the way is that they forged new paths and opened great promise for women of the future.”

Women’s History Month originated in 1981 when Congress passed Public Law 97-28, which authorized and requested the president to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987, after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Public Law 100-9, which designated the month of March as “Women’s History Month.”

• Date Taken: 03.20.2018
• Date Posted: 03.30.2018 19:13
• Story ID: 271335
• Location: SAN DIEGO, CA, US