R 191835Z MAR 18
MARADMIN 171/18
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/2018 WOMENS HISTORY MONTH OBSERVANCE//
POC/M. J. SHEPPARD/CIV/UNIT: MPE/-/TEL: (703)784-9371/TEL: DSN 278-9371/TEL: COMM (703)784-9371//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Womens history month originated in 1978, when the Sonoma County, California Commission on the Status of Women initiated a womens history week to coincide with international womens day on 8 March.  In 1981, in response to growing support for the week, Congress passed a joint resolution proclaiming a womens history week.  The National Womens History Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to honoring and preserving womens history, petitioned Congress in 1987 to expand the celebration to the entire month of March.  Since then, National Womens History Month has commemorated the diverse contributions women have made, and continue to make, to our nation.  The theme for this years observance is “Nevertheless She Persisted:  Honoring Women Who Fight All Forms of Discrimination against Women.”
2.  This year marks the 100th anniversary of women serving in the Marine Corps.  In 1918, the Secretary of the Navy allowed women to enroll in the Marine Corps for clerical duties.  On 13 August 1918, Opha May Johnson became the first female Marine to enlist.  During that year, some 300 women entered the Marine Corps to assume clerical duties from battle-ready Marines who were needed overseas.
3.  Throughout history, women have broken barriers to serve in the military and defend our nation.  Women were integrated into the military in 1948, when President Harry Truman signed the Womens Armed Services Integration Act.  In 1950, the Women Marine Reserves mobilized for the Korean War.  By the time the Vietnam War began in the 1960s, 2,700 female Marines were on active duty stateside and overseas.  During this time, the Corps opened formal career and technical training programs for women officers and enlisted respectively.
4.  Margaret A. Brewer became the first woman Marine general officer in 1978 and was the Director of Public Affairs.  In 1993, Second Lieutenant Sarah Deal became the first woman Marine to be accepted into naval aviation training.  Carol A. Mutter became the first woman in any Service branch to achieve the rank of Lieutenant General and was the first woman general officer to command a Fleet Marine Force unit.  In 2002, First Lieutenant Vernice Armour became the first black woman combat pilot in any branch of Service.  In late 2015, Pentagon officials lifted gender restrictions on military service jobs/specialties.  In March 2016, all military occupations and positions were opened to women.  In June 2017, Jasmin Moghbeli was selected from more than 18,000 applications to become one of the twelve candidates chosen for 2017 class of NASA Astronauts.  In September 2017, the Marine Corps graduated its first female from the Infantry Officer Course.
5.  Commanders are encouraged to take time to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women in American history.  Commanders are further encouraged to conduct programs and promote participation in observance events both on base and in the local community, and to develop local themes for use at their commands.
6.  Release authorized by Brigadier General S. F. Benedict, Division Director, Manpower Plans and Policy.//