ALCOAST 121/09
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: 2009 NATIONAL WOMENS HISTORY MONTH
1. DURING THE MONTH OF MARCH, THE COAST GUARD WILL CELEBRATE
NATIONAL WOMENS HISTORY MONTH.  THIS YEARS THEME, WOMEN TAKING THE
LEAD TO SAVE OUR PLANET, HONORS WOMEN WHO HAVE TAKEN THE LEAD IN
THE ENVIRONMENTAL OR GREEN MOVEMENT.
2. EACH YEAR, NATIONAL WOMENS HISTORY MONTH ENSURES THE ROLE OF
WOMEN IN OUR HISTORY IS RECOGNIZED AND CELEBRATED IN SCHOOLS,
WORKPLACES, AND COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY. THE STORIES OF
WOMENS HISTORIC ACHIEVEMENTS PRESENT AN EXPANDED VIEW OF THE
COMPLEXITY AND FULFILLMENT OF LIVING A PURPOSEFUL LIFE.
3. LCDR GABRIELLE MCGRATH HAS A RICH HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AND RESPONSE.  LCDR MCGRATH IS THE DEPUTY COMMANDER OF
THE INTERNATIONAL ICE PATROL (IIP) IN NEW LONDON, CT, THE FIRST
FEMALE EXECUTIVE OFFICER IN THE UNITS 97 YEAR HISTORY.  THE MISSION
OF THE IIP IS TO MONITOR THE ICEBERG DANGER NEAR THE GRAND BANKS OF
NEWFOUNDLAND AND PROVIDE THE LIMIT OF ALL KNOWN ICE TO THE MARITIME
COMMUNITY. WITHOUT LCDR MCGRATH AND HER TEAM, THE ENVIRONMENTALLY
SENSITIVE GRAND BANKS OF NEWFOUNDLAND, A VERY RICH FISHING GROUND
WOULD BE AT RISK FOR MAJOR POLLUTION IN THE EVENT A TRANSATLANTIC
MARINER STRUCK AN ICEBERG.
4. WOMEN LIKE MS. ASHLEY CORDI, A CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE AT THE USCG
ACADEMY PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN THE COAST GUARDS GLOBAL EFFORT TO
PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.  MOST RECENTLY WITH HER TEAM OF CADETS,
THEY WON THE ELECTRONIC RECYCLING AWARD FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.  THE
FEDERAL ELECTRONICS REUSE AND RECYCLING CAMPAIGN IS SPONSORED BY
THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (EPA) AND THE OFFICE OF THE
FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXECUTIVE (OFEE).  THIS CAMPAIGN IS DESIGNED
TO RECYCLE COMPUTERS AND OTHER ELECTRONICS, THEREBY KEEPING THEM
OUT OF LANDFILLS WHERE THEIR HARMFUL EFFECTS CAN CONTINUE TO
POLLUTE FAR INTO THE FUTURE.  MS. CORDIS EFFORTS IN RESPONDING TO
THE FEDERAL ELECTRONICS CHALLENGE (FEC) WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE
SUCCESS OF THE YEAR LONG APPLICATION PROCESS.
5. AS THE COAST GUARD ENTERS ITS THIRD CENTURY OF EXISTENCE, ITS
RESPONSIBILITIES HAVE EXPANDED INTO AREAS THAT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN
FORESEEN BY ITS FOUNDERS.  INCREASED CONCERN ABOUT THE
ENVIRONMENT PROMISES TO CONTINUE TO MAKE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT COAST GUARD MISSIONS.
6. AS WE HONOR THE WOMEN OF YESTERDAY AND
TODAY, LET US REMEMBER THAT THEIR RICH AND VARIED HISTORY OF
ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR NATIONAL HISTORY AND
CERTAINLY THE HISTORY OF THE COAST GUARD.
7. COAST GUARD UNITS AND COMMANDS SHOULD USE THIS OBSERVANCE FOR
APPROPRIATE PROGRAMS, ACTIVITIES AND SPECIAL OBSERVANCES THAT
HIGHLIGHT THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS WOMEN HAVE MADE TO OUR
SERVICE, OUR NATION, AND THE WORLD.
8. T. A. DICKERSON, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF CIVIL RIGHTS, SENDS.
9. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.