Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Quinton Lee | Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Iliana Armentia, assigned to Commander, Fleet Activities...... read more read more
On Women’s Equality Day, we celebrate the passage of the 19th Amendment, the brave men and women who fought for universal suffrage, and the further steps toward gender equality beyond the right to vote. This day serves as a reminder of the struggles and triumphs that have shaped history, ensuring that women's voices are heard and respected in all aspects of society.
Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) Junior Sailor Association held a Women's Equality Luncheon at the installation’s Commodore Matthew C. Perry General Mess Aug. 29, 2024. The luncheon was held as part of the annual observance of Women's Equality Day.
Master Chief Culinary Specialist Temeka Rudd, assigned to CFAY, gave a speech as the guest speaker of the event.
"As we stand here in the proud position of the United States Navy, we honor the incredible women who have forged pathways, broken barriers, and contributed immensely to our great service," said Rudd. “There is a 87-year gap to the formation of the United States Navy, and 1775 is the first documented involvement of women in the Navy.”
Other speakers at the event commemorated the achievements of women like Wilhelmina Dowsett, Gertrude Simmons Bonnin and Tye Leung Schulze, and their impact on the fair treatment of women.
“Wilhelmina Dowsett founded the National Women’s Equal Suffrage Association of Hawaii,” said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Iliana Armentia of CFAY Security. “Dowsett, along with many suffragists, petitioned the government for the vote to allow the residents of Hawaii to decide whether to give the vote to women in 1919."
The Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, or DEOMI, also discussed other people who had made contributions including Frederick Douglass, Wilhelmina Dowsett and Harry T. Burn
According to DEOMI, Douglass was an outspoken activist who fought for the freedom of enslaved people. His beliefs and advocacy of equality extended to the women’s rights movement as well. He was invited to the First Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York. There, he expressed impassioned support for suffrage and began working with famous suffragists Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. He remained influential in the movement until his death in 1895.
DEOMI also recognized Burn. At just 22 years old, he was the youngest member of the Tennessee General Assembly when he was elected in 1918. In mid-1920, 35 States had ratified what would become the 19th Amendment, and Tennessee was needed for it to become law. Burn was under immense pressure to vote against it. On the day of the initial vote, he was against suffrage, voting to table the amendment. The vote ended in a 48 – 48 tie and a second vote was needed. Right before the next vote could take place, Burn received a letter from his mother, Febb Burn, to “be a good boy” and vote for women’s suffrage. With the letter in his pocket, he cast the deciding vote to ratify the 19th Amendment, giving the right to vote to women across the country.
CFAY’s event concluded with a ceremonial cake cutting. At the cake cutting, Master-at-Arms 1st Class Natalie Hasbrouck, also of CFAY Security and recently selected for Chief Petty Officer, said this time allows her to reflect on all of the achievements women have made, both in the civilian sector and in the military.
“It provides us with motivation that though we have made massive strides toward proper representation, inclusivity, and equality, we still have more pressure to apply,” Hasbrouck said.
Rudd concluded by asking the community to, “continue to advocate equal opportunities, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate the diverse talents each of us brings.”
| Date Taken: | 08.29.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 09.11.2024 01:14 |
| Story ID: | 479715 |
| Location: | YOKOUKA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 26 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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