Women's history showcased during special event Wednesday

By Stephanie CaffallMarch 27, 2015

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Fort Huachuca, Arizona - Fort Huachuca's Thunder Mountain Activity Centre was the site of an event titled, "Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives" Wednesday in celebration for National Women's History Month.

After the reading of the presidential proclamation declaring March Women's History Month, volunteers gave a performance. In the presentation, female Soldiers dressed in timely apparel of the various characters they reenacted, such as Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, Harriet Tubman, Marry Harris, Jane Addams, Shirley Chisholm, Madam C.J. Walker, Clara Barton and Loretta Velasquez. Each Soldier talked about the accomplishments of their character.

"We're all leaders and representatives of our units," said Staff Sgt. Skyler Craig, Network Enterprise Technology Command, who dressed as Jane Addams. "[Military] Equal Opportunity advisors reached out to us to help in volunteering for this [event]."

Craig added, "The event turned out great and it was fun to dress up too!"

Guest speaker, Capt. Casey Fulton, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, was the keynote speaker.

"This year's topics, 'Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives,' allows us to be inspired by the achievements of all the wonderful women that have come before us in the path of progress."

Casey added, "Just look around the room and see the generations of women who have served their country proudly and struggled through times of adversity."

According to information presented during the celebration, "Women have been a part of the war effort since the Revolutionary War, but in the early days of our nation they had to cloak themselves in disguise to serve alongside men."

In World War I, The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps allowed women to enlist. More than 12,000 enlisted and about 400 died during the war. Militarywomen.org reported that in 2012, approximately 14 percent of the United States military was made up of women.

Originally Women's History was celebrated in 1978, as "Women's History Week." This was changed in 1987 when Congress expanded the week to be a month-long celebration every March.

Fulton explained the importance of celebrating Women's History Month.

"I think that for a long time women and their contributions throughout history have [been] forgotten about, maybe not focused on. So I think Women's History Month is great because it gives us all a chance to put emphasis on their contributions throughout history."

"[This event] also inspires us, motivates us and challenges stereotypes," she added.