A nationally recognized day is being celebrated here, Aug. 18-26. Women’s Equality Day is commemorated each year in the U.S. to recognize women’s strides toward gender equality.

In honor of this day, Seymour Johnson is displaying posters throughout the base, showing free movies Aug. 18, 22 and 24 about women empowerment (A League of Their Own, Hunger Games and Brave) at the base theater and is having a Battle of the Belles fitness competition Aug. 26.

“This is something everyone should be aware of,” said Staff Sgt. Amber Morehouse, 4th Medical Support Squadron exceptional family member relocation coordinator. “We should be empowered and encouraged to continue to make a change, make a difference and never stop pushing over and above the limit.”

The history of Women’s Equality Day began in 1848 at Seneca Falls, New York, where the first women’s rights conference was held. That conference began the movement that led to thousands throughout the country participating in marches in more than 50 cities and towns, distributing editorials and pamphlets, forming political organizations and spreading the word to achieve women’s suffrage.

The efforts of all who fought for this basic right, such as Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul and Eleanor Roosevelt, were not in vain. Finally, on Aug. 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment was passed, granting women the right to vote.

“To me [Women’s Equality Day] means to have a position or to have the same voice a male would,” said Morehouse.

Women’s Equality Day also memorializes the day the 19th Amendment was ratified.

“Women’s equality means having your voice be heard,” said Staff Sgt. Jamie Espitia, 4th Medical Support Squadron NCO in charge of the uniformed business office. “A lot of people listen, but they don’t hear. I think it’s really important that women are becoming more vocal. We’re becoming more knowledgeable; we’re not just ‘Suzy-home-makers’ anymore and fitting that cookie-cutter role.”

Women from all over are still fighting to make a difference and take a stand in the world, according to Espitia. They are also succeeding.

“We are becoming better and better with every generation at what men can do,” said Espitia. “I believe we should get equal pay, equal benefits and equal jobs, not because they want to give it to us, but because we deserve it.”

Females in today’s world now hold approximately 27 percent of the U.S. courts, run their own businesses and are able to fill any role (recently including combat roles) in the military.

“We couldn’t even vote a century ago, and now, not only are we voting, we’re partaking in politics,” Espitia said. “We’re senators and congressmen. We’re sitting on the benches as judges … women of all races and ethnicities.”

Pushing themselves past their limits, women have made strides toward equality. Women are still fighting for equal pay, benefits and proving their strength is equal, but each day they are getting closer to winning their battle.

“Whether it’s on your fitness, educational or political level, or fighting for our rights to have equal pay and benefits, we have a lot to offer,” said Espitia “I think it’s not heard. I think people want to listen and support, but they’re not hearing what it actually is to be a woman in today’s society. It’s really important to spread the word.”

Espitia believes women shouldn’t conform to what society expects of them.

“It’s okay to be you and stick up for yourself; you don’t have to change,” Espitia said.

Espitia believes women shouldn’t conform to what society expects of them. She encourages women to be themselves and stick up for themselves.

“Women have been setting these high standards, and that’s something I feel that women should be proud of,” said Morehouse. “No matter what country they’re in or who they’re representing, it’s a woman who pushed to set the standard.”