Pacific events
(Click here for listing of events in Europe.)
SASEBO NAVAL BASE, Japan — Women’s History Month will be celebrated with a bit of a twist this year as the base community, along with observing the historical and social contributions of women in the United States and worldwide, spotlights the women of Sasebo Naval Base during the month of March.
Petty Officer 1st Class Carmen Viduya, a Navy career counselor, is the 2003 Women’s History Month coordinator. She and her committee recently decided that the many women on base who share their various talents and abilities — servicemembers, civilians, spouses, mothers and singles — deserve some special attention.
“We want to acknowledge all that the women here contribute,” Viduya said. “So, we’re going to have an essay contest where people that know the women personally write a short essay about what makes them standout … kind of a bio about what makes them stand out.”
At the end of the month, the committee will select five of the entries, and those women will be honored at a banquet at the base’s Harbor View Club.
“Yeah, they’ll get a plaque we’ll make for them,” she added. “But we want to recognize all the entrants, and not just the five that are selected, by running spotlights on TV, and publishing entries in the Soundings (base newspaper), and on the radio. So, everybody that is entered will get recognized at some point.”
Bases around the Pacific are planning various activities in observance of Women’s History Month ranging from fundraising events, to golf tournaments to luncheons and special forums. The following is a primer of those events, although officials at some bases were still in the midst of planning at deadline:
Mainland Japan
IWAKUNI MARINE CORPS AIR STATION
March 21: The Equal Opportunity and Equal Employment Opportunity Council sponsor the Women’s History Luncheon, complete with guest speakers. The event is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Club Iwakuni. The cost is $5.95 per person. For more information call Mara Katz at DSN 253-6834.
SASEBO NAVAL BASE
A Women’s History Month Biography Contest recognizes the women of Sasebo Naval Base. Entrants submit a description of how the women of Sasebo support the military, and a photo. Winners are announced at a banquet at the end of March. The deadline is the end of the second week of March. For more information, contact Petty Officer 1st Class Carmen Viduya at DSN 252-3396.
A Women’s History Month fundraiser consists of donation jugs placed around base with goodie jars. For more information contact Petty Officer 1st Class Carmen Viduya at DSN 252-3396.
The Women’s History Month Banquet is planned at the Harbor View Club on a date to be determined. The event will be the last week of March. There will be a guest speaker, with Biography Contest winners announced and prizes awarded. For more information, contact Petty Officer 1st Class Carmen Viduya at DSN 252-3396.
YOKOTA AIR BASE
March 29: The second annual Ladies Golf Classic will be at Tama Hills Golf Course. The event costs $50, and includes three lessons with a Tama golf instructor before the tournament, an icebreaker party at the Officer’s Club, 18 holes of golf with a professional, a golf cart, lunch and prizes. Sign-up at Yokota Air Base’s Par 3 or at Tama Hills. For more information call, 224-3426.
CAMP ZAMA
March 27: Camp Zama will observe Women’s History Month from 3:30 to 5 p.m. A ceremony is still being planned, but the commanding general or designated representative will provide remarks, followed by refreshments at the conclusion of the ceremony. Also, the library will feature books and videos featuring women. For more information, call Maj. Randy R. Cephus, 263-8030.
Okinawa
KADENA AIR BASE
March 1: The fifth annual Okinawa Joint Women's Forum will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kadena High School. The event is broken up into four hour-long sessions throughout the day. Forum attendees have more than 50 seminars from which to choose to enrich, enlighten and empower themselves. The keynote speaker will be Nancy Kassebaum Baker, former senator from Kansas and wife of the American ambassador to Japan. The event is free to E-1 to E-4 military personnel or their spouses. It cost $15 for everyone else. Call Dawn Berge at DSN 634-3757 or DSN 633-4707 for more information.
South Korea
CAMP HUMPHREYS
March 25: A free Women’s History Luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Activity Center. Col. Ann McDonald, 17th Aviation commander, is the guest speaker. Call DSN 753-6527 for more information.
KUNSAN AIR BASE
March 14: There is a special Dinner and a Movie at the base’s SonLight Inn.
March 22: A 5K Run/Health Fare is from 9 a.m. through noon at the fitness center. Prizes are given for the run. Medical personnel will provide free blood pressure checks and information on smoking cessation, breast cancer and fitness programs.
March 26: A luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. at the Loring Club. The speaker is Chief Master Sgt. Aphrodite Kafka of the 51st Logistics Readiness Squadron at Osan Air Base. For more information, call Staff Sgt. Monique Lege at DSN 782-4053.
CHINHAE NAVAL BASE
The U.S. Navy at Chinhae plans a luncheon-discussion at Duffy’s All Hands Club in observance of Women’s History Month. Date and speaker are still to be scheduled. For more information, call Lt Cmdr. Mahlon at DSN 762-5388.
LOWER SOUTH KOREA
The U.S. Army in lower South Korea said planning was still underway as of deadline for Women’s History Month events at Camp Henry and Camp Walker in Taegu, Camp Carroll in Waegwan and Camp Hialeah in Pusan. For further information about events at Camp Walker, Camp Henry and Camp Carroll, call Sgt. 1st Class Michael Watson at DSN 768-6764. For further information about events at Camp Hialeah, call Sgt. 1st Class Edward Evans at DSN 763-7098.
CAMP CASEY
March 4: International Women's Day Celebration will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The USO and the Kyonggi Province Women’s Bureau are sponsors of the event. About 100 women from Kyonggi Province, including the governor’s wife, the vice-governor’s wife, Tongduchon city mayor’s wife and women from other government and private sectors will meet 100 women of the 2nd Infantry Division. There will also be cultural presentations and inspirational speeches. For Women’s History Month activities in Area II, call the Equal Opportunity Office at 738-5950. For Area I, call 2nd Infantry Division public affairs at 732-8854 or 732-8899.
— Listings compiled by Stars and Stripes staff.
Belgium
CHIÈVRES
March 11: Walk through tour of the Chièvres Gym with equipment and machine demonstration. For more information, call Josephine Hayes at DSN 361-5643.
March 20: “Dress for Success” fashion show for business women who want to enhance their wardrobe with a small budget in the Chièvres PX starting at noon. For more information, contact Audrey Alston at DSN 361-5100.
SHAPE
March 4: “Stress for Women and Men in the Workplace” presented by Rebecca Campbell, Community Health Nurse will be at 1 p.m. in the SHAPE Healthcare Facility conference room, 2nd floor. To make a reservation, call DSN 423-5820.
Last week of March: SHAPE American High School Essay Contest for 11th and 12th graders. Write a letter to a favorite historical woman. No longer than two pages. Winner will be selected April 3. Prize is a $25 gift certificate from AAFES.
Germany
DARMSTADT
March 27: There will be a celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Army Community Services building on Cambrai-Fritsch Kaserne. There will be brunch with a special music performance and a keynote speaker. For more information, contact SFC Davis at DSN 348-7675.
DEXHEIM
March 6: There will be a celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Rheinlander Club. Lunch is $6. Attendants will have the opportunity to browse through a book display on famous women.
HEIDELBERG
March 11: There will be a celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Village Pavilion on Patrick Henry Village. This year’s theme is “Woman Pioneering the Future.” Pauline W. Cunningham, CSM 266th FINCOM, will be the guest speaker. There will be musical entertainment, displays and raffle drawings. The program is free. The lunch buffet is available for $10 with ticket purchase. For more information, contact the 411th BSB Equal Opportunity office at DSN 373-7955.
MAINZ
March 21: There will be a basic car maintenance class in recognition of Women’s History Month from 4 to 6 p.m. at Mainz-Kastel Auto Skills Center. Learn to check and change the oil, check tire pressure, rotate tires, seasonal maintenance and other essential car care. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, contact Patricia Simoes at (+49)(0) 611-705-5142.
STUTTGART
March 21: A breakfast seminar will be from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Swabian Special Events Center on Patch Barracks. This year’s theme is “Woman Pioneering the Future.” The guest speaker will be Tracey L. Pinson, Director of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, Office of the Secretary of the Army. The event is free and is open to all Stuttgart community ID card holders. Dress in duty uniform. RSVP the 6th ASG EEO Office by March 14. For more information, contact Steven Matowsky at DSN 421-2649.
