FORT STEWART, Ga. - Soldiers, Families and friends of the Third Infantry Division joined together to celebrate Black History Month at Club Stewart, Feb. 29. The ceremony, hosted by 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd ID, and put together by the brigade Equal Opportunity Advocate, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Brown, incorporated the 3rd ID Jazz Band and 1HBCT Soldiers portraying prominent African American Women throughout U.S. history.
The theme of the observance was "Black Women in American Culture and History," and the presentation did not disappoint in either content or scope. The keynote speaker was Dr. Felicia Bell, assistant professor of history at Savannah State University.
"Often times, when we start a plan for something like this, we look for someone on a national scale," said Col. Jim Crider, 1HBCT commander. "And when you do that, you can make the mistake of missing someone a little closer to home. Dr. Bell's credentials speak for themselves, but what surprised me more is that she is the daughter of a Dog-Faced Soldier. We have someone who is not only accomplished but one of our own."
Bell has been teaching at SSU since 2011, however, the nine years before that she was the Director of Education and Outreach at the U.S. Capitol Historical Society in D.C.
Her speech ranged from the civil war to present day and recognized integral black female Soldiers ranging from Harriet Tubman, who was a spy for the Union, to Maj. Gen. Marcia Anderson, the first black female two-star general in the Army.
"Black women in the military have come a long way since Harriet Tubman," Bell said. "The scope of their work has contributed significantly to the growth and strength of the Army. [Black Women] have persevered in spite of racial discrimination and gender prejudices."
Their accomplishments have paved the way for the women after them, and although they were the contributions of one sole being, they in turn made the entire Army sturdier.
"Overcoming obstacles made [these women] stronger and consequently their inclusion helped to make the United States Army stronger," Bell said. "You are strong now because of them."
At the end of the ceremony, some Soldiers returned to units while others went to the Raider Dining Facility for a Black History Month themed meal. Either way, they left Club Stewart with a greater knowledge of not just black history, but our nation's history as well.
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