Ramstein celebrates strength through history

Approximately 30 Team Ramstein members gathered at the Ramstein Enlisted Club March 14 to honor and celebrate Women’s History Month.

The symposium featured Col. Robin Gibson, U.S. Air Forces in Europe deputy director of communications, as the guest speaker.

Gibson, who has more than 25 years of service, spoke on the importance of today’s female Airmen knowing about their predecessors who paved the way to today.

“In 1960 we had our first female chief master sergeant,” Gibson said. “Chief Master Sgt. Grace Peterson, not only was she the first female chief, but she was part of the original group of senior NCOs to be selected for chief.”

Gibson said remembering Airmen like Peterson is important because it honors Peterson’s dedication and keeps the hardships those women faced at the forefront of Gibson’s mind.

Tomorrow’s policies will be made by Airmen serving today. The number of female Airmen in leadership positions has risen, but the need for representation is still there, Gibson said.

“Today we have 28 female (general officers) in the Air Force,” Gibson said. “That’s the second lowest among the services. That means something because when the Air Force sits around the table and makes policy and talks about decisions for your lives, your quality of life, your mission, what they want you to do in the service – who’s sitting at the table and being a part of that conversation?”

Gibson, a Clark University graduate, instructed Airmen to gather and then develop into mentors, thus ensuring the next generation of Airmen are taken care of. She told the group to include their significant others, regardless of gender or sex, as part of their support structure, so that Airmen will always have someone in their corner with them.

The symposium lasted all day, including time for questions and answers, mentorship opportunities and a self-defense class to finish the event.