FORT SILL, Okla. (April 2, 2015) -- It takes the whole community of women and men for Soldiers to succeed.
That was the message of Col. Mary Ann McAfee, guest speaker at the Fort Sill National Women's History Month luncheon March 24, at the Patriot Club.
McAfee, Reynolds Army Community Hospital staff general surgeon, spoke before a packed crowd at the annual commemoration which honored the contributions of women. This year's theme is "Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives."
The event was co-sponsored by RACH and the Installation Equal Opportunity Office, and hosted by the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general.
McAfee spoke about women leaders in the Army including Lt. Gen. Karen Dyson, senior Army budget officer; the late-Command Sgt. Maj. Mary Sutherland, the first woman Soldier to serve 35 years active duty; and retired Col. Sally Murphy, the Army's first female helicopter pilot.
McAfee hit on the history of service women have performed in the five branches of the armed forces by querying the audience.
She spoke about Women's Army Corps (WAC), and its predecessor the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), as well as the paramilitary WASPs (Women Air Force Service Pilots).
She also talked about the historical roles of women in the seagoing services: the Navy's WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service); and the Coast Guard's SPARs -- which taken from the service's motto: "Semper Paratus, Always Ready."
The Marine Corps has always called their women Marines, said McAffee, who has 27 years of service.
During the ceremony McAfee, had members of the groups she highlighted, such as WACs, military spouses and NCOs who have trained women to stand -- to the applause of the audience.
McAfee then shared Soldiers' stories that had been confided to her.
She told the story of a Vietnam-era WAC and her basic combat training experience. This was before gender-integrated BCT.
"She spoke about having to roll her six pairs of nylon stockings ... and PT skirts, yes, I said skirt, until it stood on its own," the colonel said. "She said her friend could iron, and she could roll, so they made it through basic."
The Soldier also conveyed to McAfee how she polished the barracks' floor with a sanitary napkin. And, how males NCOs and officers stood by her and her fellow WACS when gender and racial discrimination were apparent, McAfee said.
McAfee shared the story of a retired ammunition distribution chief had to to her. The chief had two women Soldiers assigned to him. He welcomed them, but said they would have to perform all the duties the job required.
"One of them was about this big," said McAfee, holding up her index finger to represent the size of the Soldier. "If she turned facing the wind, she blew over."
The chief treated her with respect, but after a couple weeks it was apparent she could not perform the duties. He went to the commanding officer and said she couldn't do the job, and would get hurt.
The other woman Soldier was sturdier and learned quickly. "She was able to learn the tasks that were required," said McAfee.
She asked the chief if it would bother him if one his female Soldiers was injured or captured in combat.
"Yes, but it would bother just as much if it were a male Soldier, and had the same thing happen to him," was his reply McAfee said.
McAfee ended with a couple passages from the Bible.
Proverbs 31: McAfee paraphrased the ideal woman as one who can take care of a family, make money and do innovative things to make her situation better. From the Book of Judith, "We know we can go to war, and we know we can do combat," she said.
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