KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan-Servicemembers and civilians gathered for a healthy dose of competition and celebration of Women's Equality Day, Aug. 22 at the Kandahar Boardwalk.
The event included a 5K run, refreshments, and a speech given by the Commander of the 45thSustainment Brigade CENTCOM Materiel Recovery Element, Col. Gregory Boyd. The theme centered on women's fight for equality throughout U.S. history, and the commemoration granting the right to vote to women throughout the country on August 26, 1920.
"The run was designed to inspire more active participation in the event instead of sitting and attending an observance," said Sgt. 1st Class Dawn Ramos, coordinator of the event and Equal Opportunity Advisor for the 45th Sust. Bde. CMRE. "We wanted to make the celebration more interactive for everyone."
"The women's suffrage movement is an excellent example of resiliency; not all of our efforts will be successful, but we know that they faced many challenges without giving up," said Boyd, addressing the crowd of eager runners before the race. "As you struggle to run and breathe today, take a moment to reflect on women's struggles throughout history. You know that if you hang in there, that finish line is not too far away."
On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which granted women the right to vote, was ratified. Achieving this milestone required a lengthy and difficult struggle; victory took decades of agitation and protest. Beginning in the mid-19th century, several generations of women's suffrage supporters lectured, wrote, marched, lobbied, and practiced civil disobedience to achieve what many Americans considered a radical change of the U.S. Constitution.
On August 26, 1970, women from all cultures and backgrounds gathered to participate in a march on Washington D.C. to fight for equality in the workplace and educational environments. The march was a historical event for America. The day included protests through all the major American cities like New York and Los Angeles, and political demonstrations at key locations like the Statue of Liberty and business venues.
The following year in 1971, at the urging of New York Rep. Bella Abzug, a prominent U.S Representative who fought for women's rights, Congress designated Aug. 26 as "Women's Equality Day" to honor women's continuing efforts toward equality.
"It was great to be part of an event like this," said Capt. Anietra Clinton, race participant of the 45th Sust. Bde. CMRE. "I've ran a lot of races on Kandahar, but this was my first Women's Equality Run."
The event was both a celebration of how far women have come since earning the right to vote and a reminder of the new challenges they face in the years to come.
"What I wanted to emphasize with this event is that women have made so much progress in their fight for equality," said Ramos. "But the fight isn't over, especially for female servicemembers with the military now officially allowing females into combat roles."
U.S military leaders lifted the ban on women serving in combat positions last January. The change opens hundreds of front-line positions to women in the Army.
"I think it's great that women now have the option to serve alongside men in combat operations," said Capt. Amy Dewitt, race participant of the 45th Sust. Bde. CMRE. "Our input in these jobs is valuable and I think we have made a lot of strides forward in the equality race."
The 5K race concluded with a brief awards presentation to the top three male and female finishers. 1st Lt. Justina Sisler of the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 45th Sust. Bde. CMRE, took second place for the female runners with a time of 20:25.
As racers cooled down with some refreshments, they had a chance to reflect on the history of women's fight for equality and the challenges they will face in the years to come.
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