AMC Summer Hire Ahead of Essay Pack

By Kelley Lane-Sivley, USAG RedstoneSeptember 3, 2009

Double Winner
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

A summer hire in Army Materiel Command is getting a firsthand look at women's equality. Besides working in their Equal Employment Office, she is spending her summer in an organization headed by the Army's first female four-star general. The combination inspired her to enter the essay contest as part of the Women's Equality Day observance.

"I had just started here when I found out about the essay contest," Regina Head said. "When the topic came out as celebrating women's rights, I thought it was really ironic. (Gen. Ann Dunwoody) was very inspirational for me. I think what she's doing is great."

The assigned topic for essay entries focused on the women's suffrage movement. As a junior majoring in history at the University of Alabama-Huntsville, Head was familiar with the subject. On researching a little further, she found that the fate of the 19th Amendment was settled nearby in Tennessee. She was shocked that it almost wasn't ratified.

"I did not know that it came down to the last vote," she said. "The last man's mother had sent him a letter telling him to be 'a good boy' and so he voted yes."

This was the first time Head had ever entered an essay contest. She looks forward to possibly trying again.

"I've got a good track record," she quipped. "It's definitely boosted my confidence quite a bit. I'll start participating more in the contests they have at UAH."

First-place winner Head received a certificate of recognition from AMCOM commander Maj. Gen. Jim Myles, along with a coin. She also received 100 MWR bucks.

In addition to writing an essay, Head assisted another AMC summer hire, Nyasha Palmer, in creating a display in each of the foyers of the two buildings the organization occupies.

"I really like being creative," Palmer said. "This was a great opportunity to use that."

The pair included photos and quotes from famous women of all creeds, colors and backgrounds, emphasizing the ability of women to do and be anything. They also added their own photos flanking their inspiration, Gen. Ann Dunwoody.

"She was scheduled to come out and we knew she would see it," Palmer said. "We wanted it to be perfect for her. We wanted her to be proud."

Their efforts won third place for static displays for the observance.