Generations of women moving history forward

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Danielle Gillman
  • WHM project officer
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  March is designated as National Women's History Month to ensure that the history of American women will be recognized and celebrated in schools, workplaces, and communities throughout the country. The stories of women's historic achievements present an expanded view of the complexity and contradiction of living a full and purposeful life. The knowledge of women's history provides a more expansive vision of what a woman can do. This perspective can encourage women to think larger and bolder and give men a fuller understanding of the female experience.

The theme for Women's History Month this year is "Generations of Women Moving History Forward." This theme celebrates the wisdom and tenacity of prior and future generations of women and recognizes the power and impact of generations working together.

"Moving History Forward is a process of individuals coming together for the greater good of the society," said Molly Murphy MacGregor, National Women's History Project co-founder and executive director. "This confirms the idea that individuals working together can be effective in building a better, more compassionate world."

The Women's History Month committee here has offered a variety of activities this month. The month's celebrations kicked-off with a 10K fun run and 5K walk at Arkadas Park where 43 community members participated. The Base Exchange also kicked in and provided discount coupons to the first 200 women to enter the store. The Health and Wellness Center set up a Health Fair aimed at awareness and prevention of female-related health concerns. The Incirlik American School principal, Sandra DiQuinzio, got the children involved by having a coloring and poetry contest as well as a 10 day trivia contest with significant women's history facts.

The NWHM committee will wrap up this month's activities with a luncheon at the Consolidated Club March 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., where there will be a guest speaker and time to recognize this year's honorees. Our hopes are that in our modest, yet diverse community, we are able to heighten awareness of women's contributions to our history and spread the idea that every voice has the magnitude to make positive changes in our history and our future if only given the opportunity to do so. We hope you have enjoyed this month's events.

To sign up for the Women's History Month luncheon, call 676-6175.