Sailors aboard aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) concluded celebrating Women's History Month during a ceremony in the ship's hangar bay, March 31.

The ceremony honored influential women in naval history and featured several guest speakers including Cmdr. Christina Dalmau, Carl Vinson's current reactor officer and the second woman in the Navy to ever lead a reactor department aboard an aircraft carrier.

"I've never let the stereotypes define me; my focus has been on what I could control," said Dalmau as she addressed crew members. "To all of you listening, both male and female, don't give up on your goals. Work hard, face the challenges head on, lean on your mentors, believe in yourself and you will persevere."

Several guest speakers addressed this year's theme, "Honoring Women Who Fight All Forms of Discrimination," by reading the biographies of influential women in the military. The recognized women included Lt. Susan Ahn Cuddy, the first Asian-American woman to join the Navy; Army Col. Debra Lewis, a member of the first class of female cadets to graduate from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point; U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Eleanor L'Ecuyer, an influential member in the increased career potential of women in the military; and Pvt. Minnie Spotted Wolf, the first American Indian to serve in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve.

"The Navy has changed drastically for women in the last 24 years since I have been in and definitely for the better," said Master Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate Gwendolyn Wicker, assigned to the "Black Eagles" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113. "There are so many more opportunities and resources for us to utilize now than when I first came in the Navy."

This year's celebration marked the 40th observance of women's history in the United States. It began as "Women's History Week" in 1978 and later changed to "Women's History Month" in 1987.

During March, Carl Vinson crew members observed the month by showcasing multimedia and posters around the ship that highlighted women in their work environment and military service.

"Today, there are over 52,000 women serving on active duty in an array of traditional and non-traditional ratings or careers," said Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Octavia Alstonwilson, master of ceremonies for the celebration. "The power of diversity trumps exclusion."

Carl Vinson Strike Group is currently operating in the western Pacific on a regularly-scheduled deployment.

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