JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Members of Joint Base Langley-Eustis celebrated Women's Rights Day at the community center August 25, 2011.
Roughly 70 people attended the event, which began in 2002. The sequence of events consisted of a video showing and a friendly debate between men and women on the importance of women's rights in America, entitled "Are We There Yet?"
For many, it was their first time attending a Women's Equality Day, and it brought awareness of the past and the future. The debate went back and forth on the progression of women in business and education, and the positions they have held.
According to Pamela Gibson, 633rd Air Base Wing equal opportunity deputy chief, "the movement is not over yet. [Women] still have a ways to go for true equality."
Staff Sgt. Lea Thompson, 633rd ABW Civil Engineer Squadron utility journeyman, volunteered to participate in the event to become more familiar with women's rights and its history.
"I think it was a good opportunity to learn more about the struggles and the history making that women have done, and that's led them to where they are in today's society," he said. "I learned if you work with women; don't make them feel beneath you. Help embrace them so they can be as equal to you."
Gibson hopes "that individuals attending will take away a reminder of where we've been, where we are now, and that women can and will continue to strive for equality."
The 19th Amendment was passed on August 26, 1920, to allow women the right to vote, which changed their place in society forever. In 1971, that day was declared Women's Equality Day by Congress.
Women have progressed and are still striving not to be better than man, but to be seen as equal human beings. With all the advances in politics, military, science and education, there is still some concern as to whether or not women are truly equal. It poses the question, are we really there yet?