Month honors ‘Builders of dreams, communities’

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mareshah Haynes
  • Commando Staff
Wednesday began the month-long women’s history observance honoring women. The theme for the 2006 Women’s History Month is Women: Builders of Dreams and Communities. 

There are more than 207,000 women in the U.S. military, according to the Department of Defense and the U.S. Coast Guard. 

Women’s history week was established in 1981. The observance was extended to an entire month in 1987. The purpose of the month is to recognize contributions of women to American culture. 

“I think that this month will cause us to look at contributions women have made in the past and to look to the future and the impact we can have there,” said Master Sgt. Tammy Wilson, co-chair of the Women’s History Month committee. 

Women at Hurlburt Field have made American and military history as well. In 2002, Staff. Sgt. Anissa Shero became the first Air Force woman to lose her life in Operation Enduring Freedom. Sergeant Shero was an MC-130H loadmaster with the 15th Special Operations Squadron performing duties in Afghanistan when her plane crashed, killing her and three other passengers. 

The women’s history committee will be sponsoring a host of activities throughout the month of March to celebrate women like Sergeant Shero. 

There will be a Women’s History Month proclamation signing, women’s health fair, an all-female retreat ceremony and a women’s history luncheon. 

Women wishing to stand formation for the all-female retreat ceremony must be in BDUs. All others are welcomed to attend the ceremony. 

For more information about Women’s History Month contact Senior Master Sgt. Debra Strickland at 881-3994 or Sergeant Tammy Wilson at 881-3510.