Trailblazing general speaks at RIA Women's Equality Day

By Kevin Fleming, ASC Public AffairsAugust 14, 2017

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1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Michael Hutchison, deputy to the commander, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, presents a token of appreciation to Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham, U.S. Army assistant chief of staff for Installation Management, for her keynote speech at the Rock Island Arsenal Wo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham, U.S. Army assistant chief of staff for Installation Management, smiles at Lt. Gen. Stephen Twitty, commanding general, First Army after being presented with a memento of appreciation for her keynote speech at the Rock Island Ar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Lt. Gen. Gwen Bingham, U.S. Army assistant chief of staff for Installation Management, spoke at the Rock Island Arsenal Women's Equality Day Observance Aug. 10 in Heritage Hall here.

Bingham is one of the highest-ranking female generals in the Department of Defense. She was the first woman to be the commandant of the U.S. Army Quartermaster School at Fort Lee, Virginia. She was also the first commanding general of the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and the first woman to be the commanding general of the Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, Warren, Michigan.

"As we gather for today's Women's Equality Day, let us honor those past and present who have continuously laid the foundation for you, me, and those like us, to be all that we can be," said Bingham.

Bingham currently works in the Pentagon overseeing funding plans for the management policies that govern more than 150 installations, which includes every Army property worldwide.

Michael Hutchison, deputy to the commander, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, welcomed the attendees and said it is important it is to recognize Women's Equality Day.

Congress designated Aug. 26 as Women's Equality Day in 1971 to commemorate the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. The amendment was signed Aug. 18, 1920.

Bingham said women are important to national defense.

"Women play vital roles in today's Army, as Soldiers and as civilians," she said. "They are all critical members of the Army team. Today, women make up more than 16 percent of our Army."

Bingham discussed the Department of Defense's decision in 2016 to open all military occupational specialties to women provided they can meet all the requirements.

She said during her 36 years of service, she has seen the Army make "tremendous progress" in terms of diversity and equality.

"We live in a era of historic commitment, sacrifice, achievement of all Soldiers and Department of Defense civilians," she said. "We recognize the trials and the triumphs, the inspiration and the determination of so many women who have continually made our Army and our Department of Defense what it is today -- truly a shining beacon of freedom and opportunity, a place of equality and diversity."

Bingham encouraged young women to go for their dreams.

"Somewhere there is a young daughter who is dreaming about what she will become when she grows up, and I say to her, dare to dream, and to dream big -- for, if you can conceive it and believe it, you can achieve it," she said.

Bingham also said she is proud of the women serving their country.

"I'm so very proud of today's women, Soldiers who are truly role models, exemplifying our highest values."

Attendees included Lt. Gen. Stephen Twitty, commanding general, First Army; Maj. Gen. Chris Gentry, deputy commanding general, First Army; Rhonda Vandecasteele, executive director for ammunition, Joint Munitions Command; and Col. Ken Tauke, commander, RIA Garrison.

Four girls from the Davenport Junior Theater performed a dance during the ceremony.

The ASC Equal Opportunity Office coordinated this island-wide event.

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