 |
||
|
Standing watch over Fort Hood since 1942
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19, 2013 12:25:42 AM |
||
Twitter
FacebookFemale Soldiers lead, train, fight for freedoms every day
August 23, 2012 | Editorial
Facebook
Digg
DeliciousNinety-two years ago, the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified and the right of women to vote became the law of the land. This year, President Obama proclaimed Aug. 26 to be Women’s Equality Day.
The equality of women in the Army is a given here at the Great Place. It corresponds with the Army core value of respect.
Soldiers appreciate, better than most, the importance of respecting all of our Army team members. The specific jobs women hold within the Army continue to develop and change, but the underlying notion of equality is constant. Female Soldiers of every rank have been working, leading, training and fighting in our Army for years. This equality is an operational fact. The annual celebration of this freedom will not go unmarked here at Fort Hood, where we have two special events planned.
Friday we will start the day with a march to commemorate Woman’s Suffrage. Then, at 1 p.m. in Howze Auditorium, the 4th Sustainment Brigade will host a presentation entitled “Celebrating Woman’s Right to Vote,” which will feature Patty Shinseki as the guest speaker.
Shinseki has been an Army spouse for 38 years and is a key leader in a number of vital Army Family support efforts. She has served on the board of directors of the Armed Forces YMCA, Army Emergency Relief and the Amputee Care Program at Walter Reed Medical Center. She is currently on the board of directors for the Military Child Education Coalition, and also chairs its “Living in the New Normal: Helping Children Thrive During Good and Challenging Times” initiative. She is married to the former Army Chief of Staff and current Secretary of Veterans Affairs, retired Gen. Eric Shinseki. I hope to see many of you at these special events.
Women’s Equality is part of America’s freedom. Not a historical accomplishment. Not an academic notion. It is a freedom. Like all freedoms everywhere in the world, it is not secure without ongoing and continuous work. Women’s equality is about leadership. Nowhere in the nation is that truer than in our Army and nowhere in our Army is it truer than right here at the Great Place.
Several months ago, many of you joined us here as we promoted then-Col. Laura Richardson to the rank of brigadier general. She has now become the first female division deputy commanding general in the Army, of our own 1st Cavalry Division.
This fact illustrates perfectly two facets of Women’s Equality. First, it exemplifies a talented Soldier being put right where she will do our Army the most good, and shows that gender is in no way holding her, or the Army, back. Second, it shows us how much tangible progress is being made all around us right now. Woman’s Equality is not just part of our history, it is part of our present. Sunday, make sure it is part of your present, as well!
Phantom Warriors! Army Strong!
The equality of women in the Army is a given here at the Great Place. It corresponds with the Army core value of respect.
Soldiers appreciate, better than most, the importance of respecting all of our Army team members. The specific jobs women hold within the Army continue to develop and change, but the underlying notion of equality is constant. Female Soldiers of every rank have been working, leading, training and fighting in our Army for years. This equality is an operational fact. The annual celebration of this freedom will not go unmarked here at Fort Hood, where we have two special events planned.
Friday we will start the day with a march to commemorate Woman’s Suffrage. Then, at 1 p.m. in Howze Auditorium, the 4th Sustainment Brigade will host a presentation entitled “Celebrating Woman’s Right to Vote,” which will feature Patty Shinseki as the guest speaker.
Shinseki has been an Army spouse for 38 years and is a key leader in a number of vital Army Family support efforts. She has served on the board of directors of the Armed Forces YMCA, Army Emergency Relief and the Amputee Care Program at Walter Reed Medical Center. She is currently on the board of directors for the Military Child Education Coalition, and also chairs its “Living in the New Normal: Helping Children Thrive During Good and Challenging Times” initiative. She is married to the former Army Chief of Staff and current Secretary of Veterans Affairs, retired Gen. Eric Shinseki. I hope to see many of you at these special events.
Women’s Equality is part of America’s freedom. Not a historical accomplishment. Not an academic notion. It is a freedom. Like all freedoms everywhere in the world, it is not secure without ongoing and continuous work. Women’s equality is about leadership. Nowhere in the nation is that truer than in our Army and nowhere in our Army is it truer than right here at the Great Place.
Several months ago, many of you joined us here as we promoted then-Col. Laura Richardson to the rank of brigadier general. She has now become the first female division deputy commanding general in the Army, of our own 1st Cavalry Division.
This fact illustrates perfectly two facets of Women’s Equality. First, it exemplifies a talented Soldier being put right where she will do our Army the most good, and shows that gender is in no way holding her, or the Army, back. Second, it shows us how much tangible progress is being made all around us right now. Woman’s Equality is not just part of our history, it is part of our present. Sunday, make sure it is part of your present, as well!
Phantom Warriors! Army Strong!
Related Articles
- No related articles found.
Popular Editorial Articles