Navy.mil Home Page
Sailors Gather to Celebrate Diversity at Women's Symposium
NORFOLK (NNS) -- Seeking to strengthen community, mentorship and networking opportunities, more than 600 Sailors, Marines and civilians gathered for the Commander Naval Surface Force (CNSL) Atlantic Women's Waterfront Symposium at the C9 auditorium at Naval Station Norfolk, March 31.
The symposium was designed to celebrate women's role in the military as well as offer support and guidance to all service members in attendance.
After opening remarks from Rear Adm. Peter Gumataotao, Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, guest speakers, including Rear Adm. Mary Jackson, Commander, Navy Region Southeast; Force Master Chief Susan "Suz" Whitman, CNSL; and Master Chief April Beldo, Manpower, Personnel, Training, and Education Fleet Master Chief, took time to reflect on the growth and evolution of women in the military.
"I came in at a time where there were a lot of restrictions," said Jackson. "Now our younger [female] Sailors don't even have those restrictions on their radar, and that's amazing. And, as we continue to value and respect what each and every individual brings to the team, we are that much more effective at what we do -- to serve our country."
Whitman echoed the same sentiment.
"I enlisted in the Navy in 1985," said Whitman. "During that time, women filled traditional rates, as I am a yeoman by trade. As you fast forward, you will see things like women on submarines. It's great to see that progress, getting women into untraditional roles."
Currently there are 59,000 women serving on active duty in the Navy with approximately 9,000 in the reserve component. Those numbers include 34 flag officers, one fleet master chief, two force master chiefs, 42 command master chiefs, and three command senior chiefs.
Although the event was billed as a women's symposium, the message was gender neutral and universally applicable.
"It is really important to ground all of us; to think, talk and share why we do what we do," said Jackson.
"It comes down to each individual navigating their own course, and that comes from interfacing with other individuals and tapping into the sense of community we all share."
Beldo reflected on personal struggles and shared valuable insight to being able to rise above and succeed.
"You are not always going to be the popular one," said Beldo. "Everyone is not going to like you or agree with you, and that is OK. Worrying about what you are doing and not what everyone else is doing, or not doing, becomes invaluable."
After the guest speakers, Ship's Serviceman 1st Class Elizabeth Hunter from USS Kearsage (LHD 3), Yeoman 2nd Class Selena Bassett from Carrier Strike Group 2, and Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Michelle Bracey from USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) had a chance to do an open reenlistment during which Gumataotao was the presiding officer.
The common and uniting theme of the symposium remained a uniting pride in naval service and the sense of community shared between shipmates.
"You don't do it for the pay," said Beldo, "You do it for the love of the game. It is a privilege to serve in this uniform and I need to know, ladies, that you are ready to take my wheel."
For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element, East, visit www.navy.mil/local/pacennorfolk/.
To sign up for updates or to access your subscriber preferences, please click on the envelope icon in the page header above or click