Sailors and Marines came together to celebrate Women's History Month during a ceremony on the mess decks of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), March 28.

The ceremony hosted by the ship's Heritage and Diversity Committee featured shipmates' poems and speeches which focused on the theme of "honoring women who fight all forms of discrimination" and paid tribute to historical women's contributions to the Navy, as well as to the nation.

"Now more than ever, the opportunity for women to serve on over 277 U.S. naval ships is available," said Navigation Department's leading chief petty officer and a ceremony guest speaker, Master Chief Quartermaster Stephanie Kotatis. "Female leaders are no longer a rarity in today's Navy. Today, we pay tribute to the lives of those women who made great sacrifices, embarked on meaningful endeavors, and tore down the historic barriers of prejudice."

Women make up approximately 17 percent of Bonhomme Richard's crew. As integral members of every department onboard, they take part in sustaining the ship's warfighting readiness and carrying out the Navy's mission.

"Our men and women equally contribute to the ship's mission success," said Chief Legalman Ru Li, a ceremony attendee. "I have two daughters who are about to commission as SWOs (surface warfare officers) in May and June, and I am glad that they don't have to start with the very rough hurdles that women had to face in the past."

According to the ship's Heritage and Diversity Committee mission statement, the committee aims to increase knowledge, awareness, and the advantages of diversity and inclusion throughout the ship.

"This is another example of how our Navy really embraces diversity in any race or gender," said Capt. Larry McCullen, Bonhomme Richard's commanding officer, during his closing remarks. "When I think of you [female Sailors], I think of Sailors. I'm impressed by you. I'm empowered by you. From the bridge down to the boilers and from up on the flight deck all the way down to the well deck- I appreciate all of your hard work and effort every day."

Bonhomme Richard is operating in the Indo-Pacific region as part of a regularly scheduled patrol and provides a rapid-response capability in the event of a regionally contingency or natural disaster.

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For more news from USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), visit www.navy.mil/.