Senior leaders of Joint Base San Antonio came together Monday to sign a proclamation calling for reflection and participation in year’s Women’s History Month activities.
Celebrated in March, Women’s History Month gives members of the JBSA community an opportunity to share and highlight the accomplishments women have made to the military and our nation.
Representing their respective services, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, commanding general of U.S. Army North (Fifth Army); Rear Adm., Rebecca J. McCormick-Boyle, commander, Navy Medicine Education, Training and Logistics Command; and Brig. Gen. Heather Pringle, commander, 502d Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio, gathered to sign the proclamation honoring women throughout American history.
“We call upon all the military and civilian personnel throughout Joint Base San Antonio to observe this month’s activities and programs, reflect on the marks made by women throughout history, and honor the countless women who sacrificed and strived to ensure all people have an equal opportunity at pursuing the American dream,” the proclamation read.
Senior leaders echoed the resounding words from the proclamation by emphasizing what women contributed to our nation.
“Women’s History Month is about recognizing those contributions, even when our history, maybe, didn’t do such a great job telling those stories,” Buchanan said.
McCormick-Boyle recounted experiences from her early days in the U.S. Navy and expressed her admiration for the efforts and changes that have occurred in the decades since her commission.
“In 1981, women were still being told they’d have to leave active service if they got married, or if they got pregnant and had children. That’s tremendous now when you see that women are able to continue their service, continue the trajectory of their careers and their contributions to our country,” McCormick-Boyle said.
Pringle took the opportunity to share a message for women in the U.S. Armed Forces, “Women serve in a lot of different capacities and I know they’re doing it well. And I tell you what, we owe it to the future to make today’s military even better than when we entered. So, do your best, work hard, keep looking forward and make it better than when you entered.”
Women’s History Month activities on JBSA are taking place throughout the month of March and include a women’s health fair, Zumba class, and a women’s luncheon honoring the Women in the Air Force, better known as WAF. The WAF served in the U.S. Air Force before women were integrated into the armed forces on equal footing with men.