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Claudia Nallely Agres, a member of the female singing group Shining Diamonds, performs for the audience during the garrison’s annual Women’s Equality Day luncheon Monday.
Glossy black and white photos of Geraldine Ferraro, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony and others greeted attendees at the garrison’s Women’s Equality Day luncheon Monday at Armstrong’s Club. The photos were part of a series of carefully crafted displays that showcased the lives and enduring legacies of prominent women leaders, both past and present, many of whom were early trailblazers in the women’s suffrage movement.
Guest speaker Deputy Garrison Commander Mary Miller urged attendees to reflect on the past, but to also become history makers in their own communities.
“Yes, women have cracked the glass ceiling, but we have yet to break through it. We are still fighting for equality and still facing difficult choices,” Miller said. “There’s still much more work to be done. That work begins right here in our communities, on our jobs, in the schools and in our homes. We must position ourselves for leadership.”
The annual luncheon is designed to honor the passing of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, which granted women in the U.S. the right to vote. However, the event also served another purpose. “The motive for all of the events that we do in the Kaiserslautern Military Community is to educate everyone on the different ethnic groups that are out there and to increase cross-cultural awareness in the workplace,” said Sgt. 1st Class Andre Johnson, U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern equal opportunity adviser.
The luncheon featured live entertainment from Sgt. 1st Class Elizabeth Marroquin, Public Health Command District Northern Europe, who donned a 19th century period costume as she re-enacted Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s impassioned speech at The Seneca Falls Women’s Rights Convention in 1848. Afterward, Lt. Col. Leslie Dillard, commander of the 773rd Civil Support Team, read an original poem she wrote for the occasion, and The “Shining Diamonds” singing group performed a soulful melody of popular hits.
Group member Janay Flowers said she participated in the event as a way to give back to the community and honor those who came before her.
“I love to do anything I can to help out the community, and I’m also thankful for the right to be able to vote,” she said. When she’s not performing, Flowers works as a marketing clerk for the garrison’s Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Directorate.
“I think about women like my grandmother, my mother and other women throughout history who went through lots of things to help me get where I am today,” she said. “So, it’s important that I always do my best to make them proud and honor their sacrifices.”
Event organizers invited all community members to come out and enjoy the annual EO observances.
“These events are not only for military, but they are also for civilians and families. We want everyone to attend and to also get involved,” Johnson said. “We welcome all those who want to share their talents with the community. Whether that’s reading, poetry, singing, speaking or cooking, anyone can get involved.”
The next scheduled EO event is a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration Oct. 3 at Armstrong’s Club (the time will be announced at a later date). Call 493-4130 or 0152-0902-9160 for details.
