ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- The Equal Employment Opportunity Office held a lunch and learn March 16 in the Training Building.
Susan Bennett from the depot's Legal Office was keynote speaker for the event. She shared the stories of two individuals who were at the forefront of women in the military.
Dorothy Stratton and Oveta Culp Hobby were instrumental in the creation of the U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve, also known as SPARS, and the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, which later became the Women's Army Corps, respectively.
"These two women were going about their normal, busy lives in the early 1940s when they decided, either on their own or when asked, to put everything aside - everything they knew - to serve their country," said Bennett.
She detailed how Stratton and Hobby led their respective organizations through the growing pains of learning which job sets could be opened to females and the recruitment of enough women to fill those roles.
After resigning from the military, both ladies continued to serve the public.
Stratton became the director of personnel for the International Monetary Fund then the executive director for the Girl Scouts.
In 2008, a Coast Guard National Security Cutter was commissioned in her honor by First Lady Michelle Obama.
Hobby went on to serve as the head of the Federal Security Agency then was named the first Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare.
During her remarks, Depot Commander Col. Martine Kidd likened the U.S. to a meritocracy where individuals can use their talents and abilities to lead and improve their position in society.
"Events like today, which recognizes the tremendous challenges of those who came before us...is a great opportunity for us to reflect on the diversity that is out there and what every voice can bring to the table to make our meritocracy the best it can be," she said.
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