TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --
The Tinker Chapter of Federally Employed Women came together Aug.
25 to discuss women’s suffrage at the Tinker Chapel.
During the luncheon, Col. Hilary Feaster, the deputy director of
logistics for the Air Force Sustainment Center, underscored appreciation for
Women’s Equality Day and the right to vote.
Women in the United States were granted the right to vote on Aug.
26, 1920, when the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was signed
into law.
Colonel Feaster used personal stories from the recent past to
illustrate the importance of continuing to talk about women’s issues; one story
from her time in Iraq spoke to modern issues pertaining to women in the
military.
“On my deployment, I found myself as the only woman in a room full
of men,” said Colonel Feaster. “I told myself that I’m not only here for the
mission but to help everyone understand that a woman can contribute to making
their country great.”
Just as women before her allowed her to make it where she is in
her career, she tried to make certain that she represented the best America had
to offer.
“My presence in that room should convey to those gentlemen that
women have a valuable role in our society,” said Colonel Feaster. “In a culture
that doesn’t have the same perspective about women as we do in the United
States, my hope was that the men in the room went home to their wives or
daughters and mentioned that they met with an American officer; one who
happened to be female, and perhaps that in itself may encourage their daughters
and wives to seek justice and improve their role in society.”
Since commissioning in 1991, Colonel Feaster has commanded units
at both the group and squadron level, including Expeditionary Logistics
Squadrons. Prior to coming to Tinker, she was the commander of the 635th Supply
Chain Operations Group, Scott Air Force Base, Ill.
The Tinker Chapter of Federally Employed Women holds meetings
regularly, with the next luncheon scheduled for Sept. 27.
To join
the Tinker FEW Chapter, visit www.few.org.