Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) kicked off Women's History Month with a celebration in the ship's foc'sle March 1.

The celebration's guest speaker, Cmdr. Derma Parsons, Lincoln's Combat Systems officer and the senior limited duty officer aboard, spoke to the crowd about the growth in the Navy for women since she joined.
"The biggest change I've seen in the Navy since I first enlisted in 1983 is the number of jobs that have opened up to women," said Parsons.

Parsons also read "If" by Rudyard Kipling, a poem that provides a set of rules for personal integrity, behavior and self-development. She commented that the poem has often been a source of inspiration throughout her career.

Women's History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed legislation which authorized "Women's History Week." In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women's History Project, Congress passed legislation designating the month of March as "Women's History Month." Since 1995, U.S. presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as "Women's History Month".

This year's Women's History Month celebration aboard Lincoln was planned and executed by Operations Department.

"The planning was stressful, but operations as a department pulled together as a team and made it happen," said Operations Specialist 1st Class Valerie Arellano. "I think the celebration went very well. It was excellent to demonstrate to younger Sailors how much things have changed, as well as the struggles some have gone through to create the opportunities women have in the military today."

Religious Programs Specialist 3rd Class Sierra Katz-Weaver said she was grateful to have such a supportive command that recognizes the importance of women in the military.

"The fact that the USS Abraham Lincoln is so supportive of women in the military means a great deal for those of us who are in the generation what will take her out of RCOH (refueling complex overhaul) and into another 25 years of service," said Katz-Weaver.

Lincoln is currently undergoing RCOH at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries. Once RCOH is complete, Lincoln will be one of the most modern and technologically advanced Nimitz-class aircraft carriers in the fleet and will continue to be a vital part of the nation's defense.

For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), visit www.navy.mil/.