JBER celebrates Women’s Equality Day with ceremony

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Raymond Mills
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Service members from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson commemorated Women's Equality Day Aug. 26 at the Arctic Warrior Event Center.

This year's event marked the 93rd anniversary of women's suffrage, honoring the 1920 ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which allowed women the right to vote.

"Today we celebrate the progress of the women's movement and achievements of all women - as well as remembering the struggle of those before us," said Air Force Lt. Col. Felicia Burks, Resource Management Flight commander, 673d Medical Support Squadron, who was the master of ceremonies.

During the celebration, speakers addressed the history of women's suffrage and historical figures such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

Anthony was a pioneer of the woman's suffrage movement throughout the 19th century and strongly encouraged the government to acknowledge and institute women's rights.
Stanton was the founder the American Equal Rights Association, becoming the first editor of its publication.

The organization's motto was, "Men, their rights, and nothing more; women, their rights, and nothing less."

The JBER event also highlighted how changes in policy are opening the doors for women in military career fields that were previously denied.

"In my 27 years serving our country, I believe I've personally witnessed positive changes in attitudes more than anything," said Chief Master Sgt. Vivienne Davis, 673d Aerospace Medical Squadron, superintendent of the JBER hospital. "I feel that women have a much larger voice than back then and contributions are valued much more than when I joined the Air Force. I've witnessed women asserting themselves more and others being receptive to advice and input offered."

The event also highlighted progress in the equal rights arena.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, U.S. senator for Alaska, also highlighted women's achievements since the ratification of the 19th Amendment in a brief video message.

Murkowski said since that time, women have been more influential in Congress, have climbed the business ladder and have risen through the ranks in the military.

"Today we have a record 101 women who serve in the 113th Congress," Murkowski said. "There are 81 who serve in the House of Representatives and 20 in the Senate. But while we have made some strides, I think it is important to note that since 1789, only two percent of members of Congress have been women. In fact I am only the 33rd woman to have ever served in the United States Senate."

The organizers of the celebration concluded by emphasizing a local charity designed to help women in need.

"On a final note, in observance of Women's Equality Day, JBER donated various needed items, which consisted of clothing, school supplies and toiletries to Anchorage Abused Women's Aid in Crisis shelter," Burks said. "The organization is dedicated to domestic violence safe shelter and intervention and serves all victims of domestic violence including women, men and children."