JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson hosted its annual Women’s Equality Day Observance Aug. 24, celebrating 96 years since the passing of the 19th Amendment which opened up the voting booths to women.
Women didn’t achieve equality overnight though; it’s been through persistent use of said voting booths that new opportunities have become increasingly common for women across the nation.
Until 1971, women were automatically discharged from the Army if they became pregnant; now they have maternity leave.
“Women’s equality is a core civil and human rights principle in the United States and around the world,” said President Barack Obama. “Across America, women are contributing to our economy and our nation in innovative and exciting ways. From businesses to battlefields, women are vital to the prosperity and security of our country.”
On Dec. 3, 2015 the Secretary of Defense opened up combat specialties to women in the military, which became effective a month later.
“Women will now be able to contribute to our mission in ways they could not before. They’ll be allowed to drive tanks, fire mortars, and lead infantry Soldiers into combat,” said Defense Secretary Ash Carter. “They’ll be able to serve as Army Rangers and Green Berets, Navy SEALS, Marine Corps. Infantry, Air Force parajumpers ... And even more importantly, our military will be better able to harness the skills and perspectives that talented women have to offer.”
For the first time in history, America has a female presidential nominee. Regardless of politics, it’s a statement to women everywhere that the ceiling just got a little bit higher, said 17th Combat Sustainment and Support Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Pamela Brown.
“It’s important to have a female nominee, because it shows what we can aspire to,” Brown said. “Now, a little girl can say ‘I want to grow up to be president.’ No matter what, our little girls can dream too. Regardless who is elected, women know they have that chance now. Your dreams can reach as far as anyone else's.”
“You can’t complain about something if you don’t vote,” Brown said. “You have to have a voice – have a say-so. We fought for that right, exercise it.”
Every male or female should vote to effect change.”
It’s been 96 years of steady progress, and progress never stops. One thing is for sure though; the American dream is no longer exclusively masculine, it’s simply American.