State Rep. "Able" Mable Thomas and Brig. Gen. Terry Nesbitt are joined by several women Citizen-Soldiers for a group photo shortly after Thomas' rousing speech during the Guard's Women's History Month and women in uniform program. (Georgia National Guard photo by Pfc. Heather McLemore)

State Rep. “Able” Mable Thomas of Atlanta joined soldiers at State Area Command Headquarters (STARC) in Ellenwood in honoring the women of the Georgia National Guard as part of National Women’s History Month, Sunday, March 7.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “Women…Inspiring Hope and Possibility.”

Standing before an audience of about 100 Guardsmen, Thomas said that, “women have waited for so long to be recognized for the important contributions they continue to make to the world around them.”

“To you,” she said with a sweeping motion of her left hand across the audience, “the women who wear the uniform, I salute you for your commitment to your country, to your communities and to your families.”

Looking out into the crowd and making eye contact with each person seated before her, Thomas said she believes the world is experiencing spiritual warfare, and there must be a spiritual rebirth. It will be the wisdom of women, she said, that will move society into a new world, that it’s women who have the power to heal the planet.

They, she said, should be, they must be acknowledged for their successes, for they have always made a difference in their communities. And women have always used what they have when it comes to using money and keeping a tight budget.

Moving closer to the audience and pointing toward several women among the gather Soldiers, said, “Women…you are the leaders you have been waiting for. Stay strong, fight for peace and be inspired.”

Among the female Citizen-Soldiers honored during Sunday’s Women’s History program were Col. Laura Strange, Col. Maria Britt, Col. Iva Wilson-Burke, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Beverly Pack, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Diane Ryan, Sgt. Maj. Jackie McKinney and retired Sgt. Maj. Judy Cole.

Strange, who is with Georgia ’s Medical Command, was the first woman to reach the rank of colonel. Britt was the first woman to command a battalion (the 221st Military Intelligence Battalion), while Wilson-Burke was the first African American battalion commander (STARC). Pack is the first woman to obtain the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 5 and Ryan is the first female band leader.

“It’s interesting to note,” Strange said, “that it wasn’t until 1956 that female officers were integrated into the National Guard, and that it would be 11 more years before women were allowed to enlist in the Guard.

“We may have gotten off to a slow start, but we’ve come a long way, and we continue to make significant strides as women in the military,” she added. “Ours is a proud history of important contributions to our organization, to our nation, and we’ll be making even more as time goes on.”

On the enlisted side, McKinney is the first African American sergeant major, while the distinction of being the first female sergeant major belongs to Cole.

Strange and McKinney were given additional honors by being presented with the 2004 Women of Excellence Award by Brig. Gen. Terry Nesbitt, Georgia’s Army Guard commander. Nesbitt pointed out that McKinney also is the first female elected president of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Georgia, while Britt will this summer be named president of the National Guard Association of Georgia, which represents the Georgia National Guard’s officer Corps.

“These fellow Soldiers that we honor here today, are among the 200,000 women in uniform who make up over 15 percent of our armed forces,” Nesbitt explained.

“They aren’t just role models for the young women in our organization, in Georgia and across the nation,” he said, “but for everyone who comes in contact with them. And in the end, the defense of our country wouldn’t be what it is without the contributions and the sacrifice of these great Americans.”

With this year’s theme being Women…Inspiring Hope and Possibility, Spc Joc’Quelyn E. Rollins felt inspired to offer her definition of the word “hope.” Rollins is the Georgia National Guard’s Equal Employment office assistant and coordinator for the Special Emphasis Committee.

The “H,” she said, stands for honor –  “For we are worthy to be recognized,” while the “O” stands for “obbligato” –   “We are not to be left out; for we are indispensable. 

“The ‘P” stands for precious – ‘For we are just like diamonds and pearls, rare and valuable,’” Rollins went on.  “The ‘E’ stands for equality – ‘For we want equality for all mankind.  For with hope we have so many possibilities.’”

Inspiration, hope and possibility, she concluded, will help a person achieve anything.

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