Staff from Surface Warfare Officer School Unit (SWOSU) Great Lakes recognized and volunteered for Women's History Month event, March 21.

Staff members gave a presentation honoring women who fought all forms of discrimination and donated more than 50 bags containing feminine hygiene products to a women's veteran clinic.

"It is important to celebrate and honor the women who came before us," said Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class Loveasia Vann, instructor at SWOSU Great Lakes. "They are the reason why I am here in the Navy today, and their sacrifice guarantees me more of an equal playing field as I strive to be the best I can be in my Navy career."

Organizing the event was her way of helping the nameless veterans who made great sacrifices towards the safety of the country alongside all the recognizable trailblazers in the past, Vann explained.

"In prior years of recognizing Women's History Month we learned about those historic figures who paved the way for women in the Navy," Vann said. "This year I wanted to do something different. In addition to learning our history, I wanted to organize an event that can help and honor those women veterans that deserve our country's respect. I am proud that my Shipmates at SWOSU Great Lakes came together to help those veterans in need."

Cmdr. Terrance Patterson, commanding officer of SWOSU Great Lakes, thanked his staff for making the event more than just remembering those women heroes who fought discrimination.

"I'm proud of what SWOSU Great Lakes staff did today. I'm not surprised though. They took an event meant to remember the many women heroes in the Navy, and used the opportunity to get together to help others. In today's Navy the sky is the limit for women because of those who had to overcome extreme obstacles to proudly serve our country. We recognize how far we have come and my staff did not want any of the forgotten women veterans to forget how proud we are of them."


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