FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Fort Rucker recognized five women March 31 for their remarkable "character and outstanding effort."
The 2011 Women of the Year nominees were honored, at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum during a ceremony marking their achievements.
"The importance of what women have meant to our country and the world is like a quilt. Can you imagine making a beautiful quilt with patches and tapestries, but leaving one patch out of the quilt' Would the quilt be as beautiful' No, It wouldn't," said Maj. Gen. Anthony G. Crutchfield, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commanding general. "I think that is the way I would sum up what women mean to our country, our Army and the world. It is like the tapestries in a quilt, we could not have done without them, the quilt would not have been as beautiful and certainly not as functional without the one piece."
Eugenia Jones, Aviation Center Logistics Command, was recognized as Professional Woman of the Year. Jones provides technical guidance and leadership for her organization. She was crucial in establishing USAACE as a worldwide training facility, said Melissa Harry, Special Emphasis Program manager.
Lisa Cheatwood, Directorate of Simulation, is the Administrative Woman of the Year. She is the resident expert for her organization's management controls. Her actions ensure administrative functions are carried out with guidelines, policies and laws, said Harry.
"This award means a tremendous amount to me," said Cheatwood. "The fact that my directorate would nominate me for this among my peers at Fort Rucker shows I have the support of my command and Fort Rucker to help accomplish my mission."
Deborrah Cisneros, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, was recognized as Technical Woman of the Year. She serves as an analyst, technical adviser and liaison for multiple programs and initiatives. She maintains day-to-day awareness regarding public, military and administrative issues that impact the Soldiers, units and Families at Fort Rucker.
Patricia Eagerton, Headquarters and Headquarters Command, 110th Aviation Brigade, is the Clerical Women of the Year. Eagerton has become the "know all" administrative individual for her organization. Her guidance, direction and support of her organization coupled with her personality make her indispensible, according to Harry.
"It is a great honor to receive this award," said Eagerton. "I enjoy my job and I try to do it well. It is an honor that people think enough of me for the nomination."
Sandra Ausley was recognized as the Government Contract Employee Woman of the Year. Ausley is the standard Army management information system manager for the largest Aviation maintenance contract in the Army.
"These women have excelled beyond their peers and fall into the theme of this year's ceremony, 'Our History is Our Strength,'" said Maj. Angela D. Tucker, Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, deputy staff judge advocate and guest speaker, focused on the theme, quoting her mother, "You can't know where you are going unless you know where you've been."
The reason the theme was chosen is because those involved feel that knowing the challenges that women have faced and overcame are an enormous truth to all of us today, said Tucker.
Tucker spoke of several women who have made history throughout the years, including Elizabeth Stanton, Francis Perkins, Sojourner Truth, Alice Paul and Minnijean Brown Trickery.
"I am able to feel comfortable in my skin as a professional woman because of women like these," Tucker said. "I am forever grateful to them.
"Learning about the extraordinary achievements of women helps to diminish the tendency of some to trivialize who women are and what they have accomplished," said Tucker. "It can provide each one of us, women and men, with the knowledge that adversity can be overcome," said Tucker. "These women should be our role models for what is needed to face the extraordinary changes and relenting challenges we face today in our society," Tucker added.
Congress passed the first Congressional Resolution acknowledging the importance of observing Women's History Week in 1981. In 1987, it passed a resolution designating the month of March as Women's History Month.
"The contributions of women of different races, cultural backgrounds, nationalities and religions represent a significant landmark into United States history," said Crutchfield. "We salute the achievements of women both in the military and civil services as directors, supervisors, managers, fellow co-workers, community leaders and volunteers."
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