Significance of women in history celebrated at Daenner Kaserne

Courtesy Photo | Jennifer J. Beckwith, the principal of Kaiserslautern High School and guest speaker of Women's History Month observance, addresses the audience March 18 during the celebration at the Kaiserslautern Community Activity Center on Daenner Kaserne in Kaiserslautern, Germany. Beckwith talked about her hope to get women professionals of today to write their own history in order to have a greater representation in the future. (Photo by: Sgt. John Gribble)  

KAISERSLAUTERN, RHEINLAND-PFALZ, GERMANY

03.18.2010

Courtesy Story

21st Theater Sustainment Command

Story by: Lt. Col. Michele Sutak

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Who was the first woman to run for president of the United States?

Victoria Claflin Woodhull of Homer, Ohio, campaigned for presidency in 1872.

That question was one of many asked to the audience at the Kaiserslautern Community Activity Center who came together to celebrate the 23rd anniversary of Women's History Month themed "Writing Women Back into History" March 18 at Daenner Kaserne here.

The room was decorated with women's history books and paintings to compliment the event. As guests arrived, female Soldiers dressed in World War II, Korean War and Vietnam area uniforms thanked each woman for their contributions and handed out gift bags.

At the start of the event, Guest Speaker Jennifer J. Beckwith, the principal of the Kaiserslautern High School who is a 26-year veteran of education, asked the participants questions about women who had significant roles in history. Then, she spoke of the women who were vaguely mentioned in books as if their accomplishments often seemed to be written with invisible ink.

"In the history of Cleopatra," she said, "what is written ... you hear about her beguiling beauty and the woman who brought down the mighty Caesar, but few historians mentioned she was a genius in developing products, leadership [of] Egypt, her intellect and how she was able to persuade."

Cleopatra ruled Egypt at 18 years old and was fluent in nine languages.

Beckwith also quoted from decades-old U.S. Transportation Department manual, which stated 11 tips to get more out of women. Beckwith added that the guidance was to pick young women because older women are fussy. In addition, husky girls have a temper, the manual stated.

"This was the history that was written about women," she said. "Who do you think wrote this history? Why do you think we have this theme of writing women back into history?"

Beckwith said even when women are recognized in their own times, they are often not portrayed properly in history books. She also touched on the women who have made contributions in the past.

In closing, she asked the audience to be vigilant about what they write and say about women. A slideshow followed Beckwith's speech, highlighting women of today in high-level positions in the film industry, corporations and government, along with a video presentation that honored women in the military.

The purpose of Women's History Month is to increase consciousness and knowledge of women's history. People are encouraged to remember the contributions of notable as well as ordinary women during the month of March, in hopes the day will soon come when it is impossible to teach or learn history without remembering these contributions.

• Date Taken: 03.18.2010
• Date Posted: 04.06.2010 04:13
• Story ID: 47728
• Location: KAISERSLAUTERN, RHEINLAND-PFALZ, DE