Women celebrate right to vote at Fort Rucker

By Emily Brainard, Army Flier StaffSeptember 3, 2010

Women celebrate right to vote at Fort Rucker
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Women celebrated the 90th anniversary of gaining the right to vote during Women's Equality Day at the Soldier Service Center Aug. 26.

Visitors were treated to historical information, books, quizzes, videos and other educational activities focused on successful women.

Gaining the right to vote allowed women to rise in political and military ranks as well as the civilian sector, said Cindy Lockhart, Special Emphasis Program committee member. She noted without women's right to vote, America would not have female senators, governors, mayors or other politicians.

"As human beings, we need to represent ourselves in government and society to affect change," said Sgt. 1st Class Stacie Thornhill, B Company, 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment Judge Advocate General senior paralegal.

Female Soldiers here "are working in a male-dominated field, and that's not easy," Lockhart said.

It's because a few brave women stood out many years ago that females are now widely accepted into the Army and other services, she noted.

"Women have come a long way in the military," said Thornhill. "We can go further into more positions of leadership, and mentor and guide young Soldiers, both male and female."

Some compared women's rights between the U.S. and other countries. Women here said they are thankful to live in a country where they are seen as equals.

"We have rights that women in other countries don't have. We can be educated and enter careers that are male dominated," Lockhart said. "We shouldn't be held back because of our gender."

Joy Hodo, Adjutant General human resources assistant, said she witnessed these differences as a former Army sergeant deployed to the Middle East.

"Overseas, women had to dress covered up (in front of others). They couldn't talk unless a man told them to," she said. "It's important to celebrate (here in America) because we have a voice. I'm glad for the first woman who made that decision to stand up."