SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC - U.S. Army Central, 20th Maintenance Group and other members of Team Shaw hosted a Women's History Month observance March 30 at Patton Hall.
Retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Wilma L. Vaught, guest speaker for the event, brought this year's National Women's History Month theme, 'Weaving the Stories of Women's lives,' full circle by detailing the evolution of women in the military.
Vaught, who served 28 years in the U.S. Air Force and currently serves as president of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation board of directors, reminisced on those who laid the foundation for women serving in the military today. From unequal pay, promotion and healthcare for women, to different standards of enlistment and discharge, Vaught gave a detailed history of how far the military has progressed.
When describing the sacrifice of Deborah Sampson, a soldier who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War who disguised herself as a man in order to serve, Vaught joked, "What type of physicals were they giving back then that they didn't know they had women serving in the military."
Sampson was only one of many women Vaught praised for their courage and strength to serve when women were not allowed to do so. Once women were allowed to serve, those who chose to marry or have a baby also had their service terminated.
Now, Vaught says, "When you think of women in the military, know that it's a career authorized by law."
The ceremony included entertainment from other ladies of Team Shaw, to include Maj. Raina Coposky USARCENT public affairs officer, who read her original poem "I am a woman."
An excerpt from the poem reads: "Whether as a mother, a leader, a ruler, a private, sergeant, or officer, you just as you are, you never know the impact the smallest act or one simple moment of your life can have on the rest of someone else's life, or the world, make your impact positive and never underestimate the power of a woman."
"My motivation for the poem was to show women no matter what you're confronted with you can overcome it," said Coposky. "Never think you or where you've been placed doesn't mean anything."
Vaught thanked the members of the Air Force and Army in attendance.
Her message to the Army: "Especially to the Army, thank you. You carry the burden of victory because you're on the land and we're going through a very difficult time. This won't be easy."
Vaught encouraged women to register with the Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation's living memorial, a database that keeps a record of service women's names, service information and memorable experiences.
To register or find out more about this service, go to www.womensmemorial.org.
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