Don't Be A Lady ... Be A Legend by U.S. Navy Lt. Ayifa Brooks USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Public Affairs
June 15, 2021
On June 12, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed into law the
Women's Armed Services Integration Act allowing women to serve as
regular members of the military. On May 5, 2017, Representative
Victoria Neave filed House Bill 2698, establishing Women Veterans
Day as a day to recognize and honor women veterans throughout the
state of Texas. The first Women Veteran’s Day was held June 12,
2018, marking the 70th anniversary of President Truman’s Act.
While women have served in the United States military since
before America became a nation, they were not officially recognized
as military members or veterans until 1948. Women were originally
relegated to serving in the civilian fields of nursing, laundering,
mending clothing and cooking. Despite this segregation, many served
in war zones alongside their male compatriots, and some even dressed
as men during the Civil War and fought on the front lines.
One such woman who served on the front lines was laid to rest during
a burial at sea ceremony aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) on June
11, 2021. U.S. Army, Lt. Col. Nancy Christ, a decorated veteran in
the nurse corps, from New Brunswick, New Jersey served for 20 years,
from 1961 to 1981. Christ deployed to Miami, Florida to assist in
the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.
Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Nancy Christ is committed the sea during a burial at sea ceremony on USS Gerald R. Ford's (CVN 78) aircraft elevator #3, June 11, 2021. During the ceremony, the cremains of 15 veterans were committed to the sea in the Atlantic Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Angel Thuy Jaskuloski)
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She also completed two deployments to Vietnam and was awarded the
Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars in addition to
one Bronze Star Medal. She was also awarded the Army Commendation
Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and Republic of Vietnam Campaign
Medal. During her time in service she was involved in creating the
Vietnam Women’s Memorial in Washington, D.C.
“It is a
privilege to be a part of a time honored tradition to lay our
brothers and sisters to rest”, Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Kenny
Liu, from San Jose, California, said about Ford’s burial at sea
ceremony.
The first woman to enlist in any branch of the
military was Loretta Walsh, who enlisted in the Navy in 1917. She
served as a "Yeomanette," a female version of a yeoman (YN) or
ship's secretary. Following her were twin sisters Genevieve and
Lucille Baker, and Myrtle Hazard, U.S. Coast Guard; Deborah Sampson,
U.S. Army; Opha May Johnson, U.S. Marine Corps; and Esther McGowin
Blake, U.S. Air Force.
Throughout the years, women's roles
have continued to grow in all branches and phases of military
operations. Now, they serve freely alongside men in any branch or
role they desire. Today, women make up 20 percent of new recruits,
16 percent of personnel serving on active duty, and 19 percent of
the National Guard and reserve forces.
“I didn’t know until
recently that there was a Women’s Veterans Day, said Cmdr. Tanya
Cormier, Ford’s Supply Officer from Thousand Oaks, California. If I
had to use two words to describe what this day means to me, they
would be “grateful” and “opportunity.” Grateful to the many brave
women who made the opportunities women have today in the military
possible. During my 19 years of naval service, I’ve had the same
opportunities, professional requirements, and performance
expectations as my male counterparts… I’ve never felt limited by
gender!”
Cormier added, “I can't say I have a single "most
impactful moment" serving as a senior female officer. I was
fortunate to have wonderful mentors coming up through the ranks,
both women and men, and it's my goal to be that mentor to young
officers today. And if I have, or will, inspire young women to
believe that they can be anything they set their mind to, including
a military officer, then every one of those moments they believe in
themselves, those are my most impactful moments.”
The women
veterans, who served with pride, created an impeccable legacy that
active duty service members continue through today. Notable legacies
in the U.S. military include: first female fighter Air Force pilot
Gen. Jeannie Leavitt, first female Commanding Officer of a Navy ship
USS Opportune (ARS-41) Lt. Cmdr. Darlene Iskra, and first female to
command an aircraft carrier, Capt. Amy Bauernschmidt.
“For decades, being in the military has been viewed as a “man’s
job” - a job that women were not strong enough mentally, physically,
and emotionally to handle. Yet still, many women made the brave and
honorable choice to go against that perception, and emerge
themselves into a culture not intended for them,” said Seaman
Brooklyn Robb, assigned to Ford’s deck department from Tampa,
Florida. In doing so, those women proved just how valuable and
effective they were to the success of the mission. Those women
persevered and earned high ranking positions as well as lead
successful missions, earning acknowledgement and respect for women
in the military, inspiring all women, both military and civilian.
Women’s Veteran’s Day is a day dedicated to honoring those women who
paved the way for future women of the military like myself.”
Robb added, “My most impactful moment as a junior sailor was being
nominated for Blue Jacket of the Year by my department. Having been
in the Navy for a short time, you hear about Blue Jacket awards, you
might even know someone who won one, but you never think it’s going
to be you. At least not until you’ve gained years of experience and
knowledge. However, being a junior Sailor nominated for such an
honorable and selective award really motivated me to keep working
hard, and I hope it was motivational for other junior sailors as
well.”
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