An official website of the United States government Here's how you know

Commentary: Women's History Month celebrates accomplishments and sacrifices of female Soldiers

By Master Sgt. DeJuan Buford, SWCS Equal Opportunity AdvisorMarch 28, 2012

Cultural Support program trains female Soldiers to support special-operations units
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cultural Support program trains female Soldiers to support special-operations units
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Cultural Support program trains female Soldiers to support special-operations units
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers perform tasks in order to showcase their determination and physical endurance during the Cultural Support Assessment and Selection program at Fort Bragg, N.C. Female Soldiers who are selected to attend the Cultural Support training course ar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Throughout the month of March, the U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School has joined the rest of the U.S. Army in recognizing the past and present roles of women serving in U.S. Army uniforms.

Women have played an integral part in American history. Their efforts span all time periods -- embracing many occupations, some of which were historically intended for men and many denied by men. Historically, it has been proven through documents, photographs and stories passed down through generations that have shown how women fought for recognition based on accomplishments, not gender. Additionally, they put forth valiant efforts to break stereotypical roles that often viewed them only as a gender, not as citizens that had a voice. Women throughout history fought to be on an equal status or playing field, being second-hand citizens has never been their objective; equality was and still is at the forefront of their struggle.

In 1799, Abigail Adams -- wife of the second President of the United States and mother of the sixth President of the United States, stated in her declaration to her sister, "Never consent to have our sex considered in an inferior point of light." Her declaration gives credence to the length of time women have been fighting for equality. Undeniably, many of the tremendous contributions made by women in the development and growth of our society have not been documented or prominently portrayed throughout the years. Although the opportunities are greater now than in the past, women continue to fight for their place in American history as well as society.

Women's History Month is a celebration of those accomplishments and sacrifices that women endured to hold an equal ranking as men in society. This year's theme is "Women's Education; Women's Empowerment." The first initiative for this celebration of women was a week-long, local celebration in 1978 by an educational task force in Sonoma County, Calif. It was not

until 1987 when the National Women's History Project successfully petitioned the Congress to expand the national celebration to the entire month of March.

Please visit the links listed above in order to learn more about the history of women serving in the U.S. Army.

Related Links:

Women's History Month: Women's Education, Women's Empowerment

Women in the U.S. Army