36th Signal Battalion Celebrates Women's History Month

USAG-DAEGU, SOUTH KOREA -- The 36th Signal Battalion, 1st Signal Brigade hosted a Women's History Month observance and awards ceremony March 24 at Camp Henry. The ceremony recognized five women working in public service and government for their contributions in the Area IV community.

The battalion presented awards to Teresa Hahn, Daegu High School assistant principle; Capt. Rachael Ivey, special victim's counsel; Dr. Charlene Smith, Army Community Service program manager; Ryoo Kyunghee, Daegu International Woman's Association president and Maj. Bae Jae Sook, Headquarters, CBRN Support Unit, 50th Division commander.

This year's ceremony, which was titled 'Working to Form a More Perfect Union,' brought together soldiers and families in honor of Women's History Month/

Sgt. 1st Class Evelyn Aguilar, a COMSEC Custodian with the 36th Signal Battalion, said the ceremony not only honored Women's History Month but also women who have accomplished great success.

"We were very excited to put this on for our community," Aguilar said. "To be able to highlight women that have made a difference; it was very inspiring and exciting."

In her experience, Aguilar said the impact these women have made in their community is more important than the awards.

"The best part about my job is working with soldiers, being able to influence others and to mentor them, making a difference both in professional and personal aspects," Aguilar said. "To me it has been a wonderful amazing experience that has allowed me to accomplish things that honestly when I was much younger, I would have never dreamed of."

Women who serve, like Aguilar and the ones honored in the ceremony, impact the lives of future leaders.

"I think that we are role models," Aguilar said. "People see us in uniform and they hold us to a higher standard and we have an obligation to live up to that standard."

Pfc. Destiney Chamberlin, an Information Technology Specialist with the 36th Signal Battalion, said it is great to recognize these women for their achievements.

"It's just outstanding the things that these women are doing here in Korea and it just means so much being able to acknowledge these women," Chamberlin said.

As a junior soldier, Chamberlin acknowledges the positive impact her female mentors have had on her career. For her the ceremony was encouraging.

"It was a great experience," Chamberlin said. "I'm going to take this experience and use it for the future."

The 293rd Signal Company, 36th Signal Battalion first sergeant, 1st Sgt. Keenda Batchelor recognizes the challenges young soldiers face in the Army, especially those on their first assignment in Korea. As a first sergeant, her job is to provide them leadership and mentorship opportunities that will shape them into future leaders.

"One of the great training opportunities we have in our battalion is our women's mentorship program," Batchelor said. "It is an opportunity for the senior enlisted and senior officers to really mentor our junior soldiers."

The 36th Signal Battalion mentorship program lets leaders share their experiences and challenges and opens a dialogue about overcoming these challenges Batchelor said.