LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. — Luke Air Force Base Thunderbolts celebrated women’s history by attending a Women’s History Observance Month Still Museum March 3, 2017 at the base library.
This year’s theme for National Women’s History Month honors women who have successfully challenged the role of women in both business and the paid labor force.
“I believe that as a woman, it’s important to educate people with regards to all the changes that have happened for women to be able to hold leadership positions,” said Master Sgt. Loraine Reese, 56th Fighter Wing complaints resolution superintendent and co-coordinator for the still museum.
During the event, guests were treated with four live model volunteers who portrayed women who made significant change to women’s history. The five women selected were as follows: Lucy Gonzalez Parsons, labor organizer and socialist leader; Alexis Herman, former Secretary of Labor; Addie Wyatt, Labor Union leader and Civil Rights activist; and Lilly Ledbetter, Equal Pay Activist.
“We voted on who we felt like we can portray and honor locally,” said Master Sgt. Melissa Fulton, 56th Dental Squadron dental technician and event coordinator for the museum. “You don’t have to be a big name in society to do big things for the society.”
When the guests went to each station, they pressed a button and the volunteers came to life and portrayed the women they were representing.
“Ever since I was introduced to Women’s History Month I’ve been passionate about it,” Fulton said. “I volunteered because I believe strongly in minorities having a voice. You don’t have to be a minority because of a certain color. You can be a minority just because you think differently than most people. It’s the diversity that makes the country so rich.”