Seattle Reign FC recognized five active-duty female U.S. Navy Sailors during a pregame ceremony for the soccer team's Legends Campaign, Sept. 11.

The team honored the Sailors in remembrance of the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the campaign is an opportunity to celebrate and honor the women in the Pacific Northwest who have set an example of excellence, along with their extraordinary contributions in the community beyond.

"Our stewardship of Seattle Reign FC provides us with both the opportunity and responsibility to further causes that we feel can have a positive impact on women and girls in our community," said Reign FC Owner Teresa Predmore in a previous National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) press release. "The Legends Campaign is meant to showcase the accomplishments of the many women in our community whose efforts deserve our recognition, respect and appreciation. We are grateful to have a partner like Chihuly Studio to underscore the importance of honoring these deserving women."

The five Sailors honored during the 9/11 pregame ceremony were Master-at-Arms 1st Class Jennifer Aguilar , a Yucca, California, native stationed at Naval Base Kitsap; Yeoman, 2nd Class Gloria Cisneros , a Whittier, California, native stationed with Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 132; Navy Counselor 1st Class Frances Thompson, an Elmont, New York, native stationed at Naval Base Kitsap; Yeoman, 1st Class Jennifer Reeder, a Solvang, California, native  stationed with Commander, Submarine Group 9; and Personnel Specialist Seaman Nandi Boatwright , a Jacksonville, Florida, native stationed with VAQ 132.

"We were selected because we represent something bigger than ourselves," said Reeder. "We live our lives to our core values of honor, courage and commitment to serve our Navy and our country."

The Legends Campaign began this year, the same year women earned 27 of 46 gold medals for the U.S. at the Rio Olympic Games.

"This has been a strong year for women, globally," said Aguilar. "We're now being recognized for our strengths and attributes across the world. It is a very empowering show of force on our part and something that is needed to further the growth of equality."

"The Legends Campaign is a partnership between Seattle Reign FC and Chihuly Studio," according to Reign FC press. "At each regular season game, Reign FC honors one woman (or in this case, a group of women) as a Seattle Reign FC Legend in recognition of their extraordinary contributions in our community and beyond. To celebrate the achievements of each Reign FC Legend, Dale Chihuly crafted the Reign Royal Blue Piccolo Venetian, which is symbolically presented to each Seattle Reign FC Legend."

Seattle Reign FC will be honoring one woman, or in this case a group of women, in a pregame ceremony for the lasting impact she has made in our community. Legends candidates will be considered from all fields of work, including corporate, nonprofit, government, and civic organizations during the National Women's Soccer League regular season, according to NWSL press.

The U.S. established the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service during World War II July 21, 1942, paving the way for the milestones women have made in Naval service since.

For more information, visit http://www.navy.mil/, http://www.facebook.com/usnavy/ or http://www.twitter.com/usnavy/.

For more information on female Navy Sailors, visit http://www.navy.com/navy-life/winr.html/.

For more news from Navy Public Affairs Support Element, visit http://www.navy.mil/.