Photo By Spc. Jason Dangel | Staff Sgt. Melvin Moore, 4th BCT, 4th Inf. Div. performs a personnel rendition of "The...... read more read more
4th BCT PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
BAGHDAD - Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, came together to celebrate Women's History Month at Forward Operating Base Prosperity's King Cobra Café March 28.
The observance, sponsored by the 4th BCT Equal Opportunity Office, gave Soldiers the chance to reflect upon the achievements of women in American Society.
The celebration's theme: "Women: Builders of Communities and Dreams," featured guest speaker Sgt. Maj. Arlene Horne, retention sergeant major, 4th Inf. Div. and various poems prepared by 4th BCT Soldiers.
Soldiers were treated to personal poems by 1st Lt. Laura Curtis, 883rd Combat Stress Clinic; Sgt. Brandon Burnett, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th BCT; and a rendition of 'the spoken word," or a freestyle speaking, performed by Staff Sgt. Melvin Moore, HHC, 4th BCT.
"We have so much to celebrate during Women's History Month, both as a nation and an Army," Horne said.
"America would not be the strong and compassionate nation it is today without the remarkable contributions women have made to art, science, public service, sports, politics and countless other professions," she said.
"If the soul of a nation is to be saved, women must become its soul," Horne said, quoting the recently deceased civil rights activist Loretta Scott King, as she reflected on all the great women in American History.
A story that is rarely told is the story of women fighting for the right join the military to defend their nation, she said.
"Women's struggle to defend their nation dates back to the start of this country," Horne explained. "In the United States Military, necessity has often led women to opportunity, and when our country needed us for the job, we were there."
As women embark on a 150-year celebration for the right to vote, she added, they will also be celebrating a 50-year anniversary since women were granted the right to become permanent members of the nation's armed forces.
"This day is a special day," said 4th BCT Command Sgt. Maj. John Moody. "We have come together today to remember all the accomplishments women have made throughout American history.
"There is no better place to celebrate Women's History Month than in a military setting because of all the contributions that women have made in the military."
According to the Women's History Month Association, the celebration of women's history in this country began in 1978 as "Women's History Week" in Sonoma County, Calif.
In 1981, Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Representative Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) co-sponsored a joint Congressional declaration for a national Women's History Week, later approved the same year.
In 1987, Congress lengthened the celebration to a month, declaring March Women's History Month.
| Date Taken: | 04.03.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 04.03.2006 11:20 |
| Story ID: | 5935 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 163 |
| Downloads: | 82 |
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