305th MI Bn. hosts annual Women's History Month event

Fort Huachuca, Arizona -- The 305th Military Intelligence Battalion hosted the annual Women's History Month observance Honoring Women Trailblazers with special guest speaker Sierra Vista Mayor Pro-tem Alesia Ash March 24 at Fitch Auditorium here.

"The opportunity to honor the incredible women whose courage and dedication have sustained the American spirit throughout our history is an honor and pleasure," said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Rita Dorr, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE), in her opening remarks. "Throughout history women have broken down barriers, created new opportunities, championed justice and risked their lives for the greater good.

"Please take a moment, as you go through your day, to remember the creative, talented and determined women who have sacrificed a great deal in the pursuit of equal opportunities in all aspects of life," Dorr continued. "Their commendable leadership paved the way for every woman in American society and the world to be viewed as 'second to none'."

After a short video about women's accomplishments in the Army, select women in the audience stood to share facts about trailblazing women throughout history.

Sharon Walker, director of the Equal Employment Opportunity Office, asked the audience what they were celebrating by being at the event. After a limited response, Walker reminded them.

"Honoring Trailblazing Women who have paved the way for future generations," she said. "Can you say that with me?

"As we celebrate our nation's great achievements by women, it is a privilege to introduce and celebrate the achievements of an aspiring, trailblazing woman who is definitely paving the way for future generations."

Walker introduced the guest speaker, Alesia Ash, appointed as Mayor Pro-Tem and one of the youngest elected officials in the State of Arizona.

Ash is a "community luminary," said Walker. "[It] is such a fitting name for a remarkable, trailblazing woman and an amazing speaker, as you will find out. She is definitely breaking down barriers and changing the roles of women in our society. Ladies and gentlemen, please join me as we welcome and receive our guest speaker, Ms. Alesia Ash."

Ash began her remarks by highlighting some of the notable struggles by women to achieve equality.

"I've given you this brief background because it would not be possible without the struggles of the women who came before me," Ash said. "I, like many of my generation, was fortunate enough to grow up in an age where you can do anything that you set your mind to and anything is possible.

"I have been guilty of taking for granted the fact that I could simply decide one day that I would run for office and have the chance of winning. I realize upon reflection that my successes were born out of the weight that my women predecessors placed on their shoulders.

"Women of my generation have not had the personal experience of being denied the right to vote simply because we are women.

"My parents weren't even born when Rose Parks refused to give up her bus seat, stimulating the civil rights movement. Other than reading history books, watching documentaries, movies such as Hidden Figures and listening to heartfelt recounts from people who lived through this time, it can be difficult for me to imagine a world where I wasn't entitled to an education, or to run and potentially win an election.

"There is a common belief today that my generation and the generation coming up after me is not as knowledgeable about the real struggle. We reap the benefits of our foremother's struggles, we take for granted the rights they could not access.

"While this may be true to differing degrees depending on the individual, it presents an opportunity for all of us to leverage the legacy of those who have come before us. In the spirit of women trailblazers of the past, trailblazers of today anticipate opposition by those who are happy with the status quo. In part because, if there was never opposition, there would be no such thing as a trailblazer."

Ash spoke about how Vivian Malone, one of the first two African American students to enroll at the University of Alabama in 1963, was brave and courageous.

"Her story reminds us that equality does not come when we wait in silence," Ash said.

Ash continued with examples of Shirley Jackson, the first African-American woman to earn a doctorate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to serve as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States; and Mary Walker, the only woman ever to receive the Medal of Honor.

"Consider the female Soldier who doesn't want to be considered a good Soldier for a female, she wants to be considered a good Soldier, period," Ash said. "I don't want to be considered a good elected official in the context of a young, African-American. The fact that I am young and African-American is great because it provides more diverse and informed decision making. But I just want to be considered a good elected official, period.

"When a generation becomes comfortable and timid and forgetful, we are prime to be swept backwards. We gather as a community today, not in despair, not because there is work to be done because there is, but to celebrate our history and honor trailblazing women," Ash concluded.

Dr. Macaela Cashman, deputy of the Learning Innovations Branch, USAICoE, closed the event.

"The military has long prided itself on being a meritocracy," she said. "Where those who serve are judged not based on who they are, but what they have to offer to help defend this country. That's why we have the finest fighting force the world has ever known. Today we take yet another step towards that continued excellence. The pendulum is always swinging between left and right. If we're not going forward, we might be going backward.

"Somehow the word feminism has developed a negative connotation. Feminism, according to Merriam-Webster is simply the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities. G.D. Anderson sums this up by saying, 'Feminism isn't about making women stronger. Women already are strong. It's about changing the way the world perceives that strength.' All of us, by participating in this celebration today, are doing that. We are changing things. We are being the change that we want to see. Let's keep supporting each other as we work for awareness and progress."