March Highlights of Blue Star Families’ Campaign for Inclusion DEPLOY Fellows

March is Women's History Month in the United States. But did you know that it originally began as International Women's Day on March 8, 1911? Every year, the National Women's History Alliance chooses a theme for the month, and for 2024, the theme is "Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion." In this month's newsletter, we highlight some of the incredible pioneers and platforms where women have advocated for diversity and equality while ensuring that they are all viewed as integral parts of society, as well as hear from our DEPLOY Fellows as we continue our mission to ensure our military families feel heard, included, and know that they Belong Here!

Ruth Bader Ginsburg: A Champion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Today I am honored to celebrate International Women’s Day. Coming from a family with a rich history of strong-willed, creative, and intelligent women, I am inspired by the commitment to excellence that they have instilled in me with them being living blueprints for my family and our community at large.

I want to highlight a woman who has advocated for diversity, equity, and inclusion and been a champion for gender equality and racial justice.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, fondly known as the "Notorious RBG," played a pivotal role in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout her illustrious career as a lawyer, advocate, and Supreme Court Justice. Ginsburg's tireless efforts centered on dismantling barriers based on gender and advocating for equality under the law for all individuals. As a litigator for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in the 1970s, Ginsburg strategically brought cases before the Supreme Court that challenged discriminatory laws and practices, effectively laying the groundwork for gender equality jurisprudence. Her landmark victories in cases such as Reed v. Reed (1971) and United States v. Virginia (1996) not only expanded legal protections against gender discrimination but also paved the way for broader interpretations of the Constitution's Equal Protection Clause

Ginsburg's jurisprudence extended beyond gender equality to encompass a broader vision of inclusion, advocating for the rights of marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and racial minorities. Throughout her tenure on the Supreme Court, Ginsburg consistently advocated for fairness, justice, and the principle that all individuals, regardless of gender, race, or background, deserve equal treatment under the law. Her unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion continues to inspire generations of advocates and serves as a guiding light in the ongoing struggle for social justice.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg's contributions to the legal profession and her steadfast commitment to equality have left an indelible mark on the advancement of diversity, equity, and inclusion in American society. Her legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of upholding these principles in the pursuit of a more just and equitable world.

Breaking Down Barriers: Women's Journey to Inclusion in the Marine Corps

This Women’s History Month, my thoughts turn to the woman who means everything to me: My mom. My mother is a first-generation American, a Marine Corps Veteran, and my personal hero. I want to take this opportunity to shine a light on women in the Marine Corps, and the journey taken to get them there.

In 1918, women were granted the opportunity to enlist for clerical duties in the Marine Corps. Opha May Johnson made history as the first woman to become a Marine, followed by over 300 women who took over the day-to-day responsibilities in the United States, allowing the men to go overseas. The Marine Corps Women’s Reserve was created 24 years later, followed by the passing of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act, ensuring women’s permanent inclusion in the regular Marine Corps. 

Following their formal inclusion, there was a flurry of women enlisting in the Marines. Every 2 weeks, more than 500 women enlisted, resulting in a Women’s Reserve population of over 15,000 women within the year. In 1948, women were officially allowed to serve as full Marines, eliminating the distinction of the “Women’s Reserve.” On November 4th, 1948, the first group of Women’s Reserve officers were sworn into the regular Marine Corps! A year later, Annie E. Graham enlisted, making her the first Black female Marine.

Despite the opportunity for women to serve since 1918, they make up less than 10% of total active-duty Marines. This disparity may be due to the misogyny and/or violence some women face within the Corps. While this is not reflective of every woman in the military, the significant gap between active-duty women and men remains puzzling. According to a 2023 study from Statista Research Departments, 9.8% of active-duty officers in the Marines are women, compared to 23% in the Air Force. Accounts from female Marines in the Washington Post highlight instances of marginalization, mistreatment, and misogyny. These include being made to feel things would be easier if they were “ just invisible,” and being discharged after reporting sexual abuse. 

We have to eliminate gender bias in the military if we want to make our civilian and military lives truly inclusive and diverse. I’ve heard stories from my mom about facing misogyny while in the Marines, especially when she was pregnant with me. That's why I'm so thankful to be a part of the Blue Star #CampaignforInclusion 's fellowship program, focusing on diversifying and extending the pipeline of leadership in the military. It’s on us to keep pushing for change, breaking down barriers, and making sure equality is a reality in all our armed forces.

Reflecting on Being a Woman

“I desire you would remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors.” — Abigail Adams

Women have campaigned for their rights for many years. Abigail Adams's quote stems from a personal letter to her husband dated March 31st, 1776. She predicted women's suffrage years before it became a thing, before the term “feminism.” Currently, women have lost rights in ways that were not thought possible. It almost feels dystopian to know that I had more bodily autonomy over myself two years ago than I do now, at least in some states. I worry about what the future holds for many girls, women, and those who identify as women due to potential things that can happen to us, based on what our bodies can do. 

The United States is a first-world country with the highest mortality rate for pregnant women. The likelihood of death increases if the pregnant woman is BIPOC. These facts are both scary. Health care is already an issue for Americans, but because military families have little choice in where they usually go, health care can be lacking for women and girls in military families, not to mention women serving in the military. Why would a military family (or female service member) want to live someplace that is hostile toward women? Similar to families of color; why would a military family choose to stay in the military if they are assigned to hostile places? While I always view Women's History Month as a celebration, this month I plan to reflect on the past and look at what the future holds for women. It is scary and uncertain, but if one knows the rest of Abigail Adams's quote, she tells her husband that women will make it known they are displeased, and the men don't want that. My sentiments are the same. Let's celebrate each other and our past, but let us look to our future with change in mind this Women's History Month. 

Walking Through Women's History

In honor of Women's History Month, I have been carving out time to learn more about women who changed the financial industry. In doing so, I discovered that our journey as a military family has actually connected us with places where women have made history in banking.

One story I stumbled across was that of Evalyn Tome France, who made history not too far from my current home in Cecil County, Maryland. After her husband, Jacob Tome's death in 1898, she became the first woman to serve as president of a bank in the United States. From 1898 to 1906, she served as president of both the Cecil County National Bank of Port Deposit and the National Bank of Elkton.

Recently, I decided to take a 15-minute journey to Port Deposit to learn more about Evalyn and her family's story. One of my favorite stops was the Tome Welcome Center, where the town's heritage museum installed dial-in lessons about the Tome family and other town history. Visitors can listen to these stories while walking along a waterfront trail (pictured).

For military families, learning about the history of a new community is often a way to feel a better sense of connection to the area. It was refreshing to take a new, immersive approach to learning this year. Now, I invite you to join me in celebrating Women's History Month by exploring the compelling stories of women who have made contributions to society, whether globally or in your neighborhood.

Reaching New Heights: Sophia Danenberg

his Women's History Month, it's time not just to celebrate, but to reflect on the remarkable contributions and achievements of women around the globe. In the outdoors community, where nature's beauty calls us all, it's crucial to recognize that not everyone has felt equally welcomed or represented. BIPOC communities, in particular, have faced barriers due to a lack of representation, historical discrimination, and limited access to knowledge about outdoor spaces. This month, let's spotlight an individual who defied these challenges with unwavering courage and determination: Sophia Danenberg.

Sophia Danenberg made history in 2006 as the first Black woman to conquer the formidable summit of Mount Everest. Her journey wasn't just about reaching new heights; it was a testament to resilience, passion, and breaking down barriers. Her love for rock climbing ignited at the age of 20, leading her to conquer other renowned peaks like Mount Rainier and Kilimanjaro. Sophia's story isn't just about scaling mountains; it's about shattering stereotypes, inspiring future generations, and paving the way for greater diversity in outdoor adventures.

In celebrating Sophia's achievements, I also want to honor the incredible Outdoors team, whose dedication and passion have left an indelible mark on the outdoor community by expanding the Blue Star Outdoors community by bringing on 10 Outdoor leaders to ensure more military families have access to outdoor programs. Over the last few months, Vicky Perkins, Ashley Stevens, Kailey Brown, and Kayla Abernathy have been enthralled in creating policies and procedures to ensure military families will enjoy the memories that these programs create. These women embody the spirit of resilience and unity, championing inclusivity, and empowerment in every step of the journey.

As we navigate our own paths, let's draw inspiration from Sophia Danenberg and the remarkable women around us. Let's commit to creating a more inclusive and equitable outdoors space, where every individual feels empowered to explore, conquer, and thrive. This Women's History Month, let's celebrate not just the past achievements, but the limitless potential that lies ahead when we stand together in solidarity and support.

Unveiling Hidden Legacies: Shirley Chisholm's Impact Beyond the Headlines

Women have made many amazing contributions to our society throughout history, being trailblazers in science and technology, medicine, education, the military, and especially in advocacy. Most of us are familiar with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Marie Curie, Rosa Parks, and Shirley Chisholm.

Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman to be elected to Congress. I was familiar with her contributions to advocating for minorities and women. Still, I did not realize that she was assigned to the House Agriculture Committee and greatly contributed to the expansion of the food stamp program and the development of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). I found this information to be enlightening and relevant to my food insecurity work in our Campaign for Inclusion. But it is also interesting to note that it was somewhat difficult to find this information about her most likely because she was a woman and a person of color, who at her time, was not recognized for all of her important contributions to our society. 

WIC is a vital program! In its 2022 Military Family Lifestyle Survey, Blue Star Families found that 7% of active-duty military family respondents participated in WIC in the 12 months preceding the survey. With food insecurity amongst our military families reaching nearly 25%, government-funded nutrition assistance programs are no doubt essential. But, the conversation cannot stop there! We must continue to advocate for nutritious food access because it is a basic human necessity for all!

For more information on Shirley Chisolm, visit the National Archives website.