3rd ID observes Women's History Month

By Sgt. Luke Rollins, 3rd CAB Public AffairsMarch 29, 2012

3rd ID observes Women's History Month
Sergeant First Class Shwon Aguirre, a Soldier with the 603rd ASB, 3rd CAB, sings "Superwoman," a song by singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, during the Third Infantry Division's Women's History Month Observance, March 12, at Club Stewart. The event honore... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT STEWART, Ga. - Soldiers from across the Third Infantry Division came to a special ceremony honoring Women's History Month and hosted by the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, March 21, at Club Stewart.

In March -- declared National Women's History Month since 1987 -- American women are recognized for their outstanding achievements.

Female civilians joined the Soldiers in Club Stewart's Main Ballroom, where two static displays expounded upon great women in American history. The event began with an invocation from the 3rd CAB's chaplain, Maj. Paige Heard.

This was followed by a special musical presentation from Sgt. 1st Class Shwon Aguirre of Headquarters Support Company, 603rd Aviation Support Battalion, who sang "Superwoman" by singer-songwriter Alicia Keys.

"I felt very honored to sing that song," said Sgt. 1st Class Aguirre, "because everything that's in that song, I went through as well."

After the song, the event's keynote speaker, Dr. Teresa Winterhalter, director of faculty development at Armstrong Atlantic State University, opined about both the progress women have made and the progress yet to come.

"Our challenge remains to make education for women not only about the content areas, but also about emboldening their dreams, their skills, and their interests, and to help young women learn how to present themselves to their communities and envision possibilities for their futures," said Winterhalter, who founded the Gender and Women's Studies Program at AASU in 2002.

Doctor Winterhalter, Sgt. 1st Class Aguirre, and Maj. Heard each received a certificate of appreciation for their contributions to the ceremony and to the advancement of women.

Sergeant 1st Class Aguirre said she was grateful 3rd ID and the Army were doing their part to celebrate female contributions to the mission.

"I think it shows that people recognize that women are strong too, even though it's still a male-dominant Army," said Aguirre. "But you know what? These women that are here, working with them side-by-side, we're a part of the team."