The Vicenza Military Community honored the nation's annual observance of Women's Equality Day with an event at the Sigholtz Center on Caserma Del Din Aug. 26.
Women's Equality Day commemorates American women achieving full voting rights under the U. S. Constitution by passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.
The event, hosted by the 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), featured guest speaker Ambassador Colleen Bell, who was appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Hungary.
Prior to the observance, Bell took part in a parachute rigging demonstration in the 173rd IBCT (A) conference room.
During her speech Bell highlighted the progress made by American women and their support throughout the years.
"There is no question that American women have contributed to every aspect of building our society," Bell said at the event. She mentioned how many roles women have filled from World War I to the recent operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I am sure everyone in this room knows women were serving as medics, military police and other roles in combat situations," she continued.
"Being equal does not mean that you have to be exactly the same. A diversity gives a strength as a nation and as a people," Bell said.
One volunteer for the event was Sgt. Angie Trejo, paralegal with 173rd Brigade Support Battalion, who had the chance to meet Ambassador Bell during the parachute rigging demonstration, and later had the opportunity to sit down and have lunch with Bell and other female Soldiers.
"We talked to her, told her what our daily duty day is like and asked her some questions.
I think her speech was inspirational, especially when she talked about how the women played very important roles not only in the military but also holding higher leadership positions, and then, when talking about herself, she said 'I am an Ambassador, and 95 years ago I would never imagined myself being here.'"
"I would say that we've come a long way from 95 years ago, but we can go much farther. So I just encourage all women, everyone to pursue what they want in their careers and don't give up, don't let anybody tell you that you can't do it," said Trejo.
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