Sailors from USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) hosted the command’s first ever Women’s Waterfront Symposium at the base chapel on Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan (CFAY) March 13.    

The symposium, themed “Women Trailblazing at Sea,” celebrates Women’s History Month by highlighting the accomplishments of service women.

Ronald Reagan’s Diversity Team, First Class Petty Officers’ Association, and “Nancy’s Real Talk, No Rank” women’s group partnered with CFAY’s USO to sponsor the symposium.

“We all need to learn how to network and work together,” symposium coordinator and Ronald Reagan Sailor Legalman 1st Class Keia Greenwood said of the symposium’s importance. “It makes us stronger as a team to know those around you and who may have gone through similar experiences that you are currently facing.”

More than 100 women and men attended the symposium. Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class Sorsha Vargas of Chicago kicked off the event with the singing of the National Anthem.

“It was a great experience,” said Vargas. “I was nervous, but seeing so many women come together today to celebrate our successes and push the many women here to continue those successes helped me through it. I was grateful to sing at such a positive, inspiring and motivating event.”

Guest speaker Cmdr. Janice Smith, Commander, Task Force 70’s deputy assistant chief-of-staff for future plans, operations and exercises, gave a few words of encouragement and motivation to women in attendance.

Electronics Technician 1st Class Katherine McCoy, assigned to Ronald Reagan, then followed with her presentation of “A History of Women in the Navy.”

“I take great pride in the number of firsts for women that have happened in the Navy,” McCoy said.

After the  presentations, the attendees broke into small groups to discuss various topics along with the importance of balancing personal life and career goals.

The symposium was also open to male Sailors.

“It was awesome to learn about all the new missions being accomplished by women in the Navy during this day and age along with the hurdles they had to overcome,” said Chief Religious Programs Specialist Juan Vences, from Chicago.

Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), visit www.navy.mil/.