Recruit Training Command (RTC) celebrated Black History Month and Women's History Month for military and civilian personnel to commemorate the diverse contributions African-Americans and women have made and continue to make in the nation with a presentation and luncheon, Feb. 26.

The presentation highlighted the past decades of African-Americans who advanced civil rights and made major impacts in government, sports and entertainment as well as women who continue to influence, impact, and make history in the Navy with their spirited and courageous efforts, following the example of the women who paved the way before them.

During the luncheon, Capt. Doug Pfeifle, commanding officer, RTC, addressed those in attendance and spoke of the importance of diversity in the Navy.

"Most of us understand that diversity and inclusion are the right things to do but perhaps not why they are important to the health of the U.S. Navy," said Pfeifle. "At its core, diversity makes our Navy stronger. It is not founded on statistics or percentages or quotes; diversity is about achieving peak performance."

Established in 1926 as a week-long observance of African-American history and heritage, President Gerald R. Ford expanded the celebration in 1976 to include the entire month of February. African-American Sailors have served the United States honorably through every major armed conflict since the Revolutionary War.

To date, there have been 87 African-American Congressional Medal of Honor award recipients, including eight African-American Sailors who were bestowed the award for their actions during the Civil War.

In keeping with this year's theme of "A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture," guest speaker Command Master Chief Maurice Coffey, command master chief for the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, discussed the history and background of the month and looked at key dates that helped shape the great history as we know it today.

"President Obama was quoted as saying, 'Change will not come if you wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we have been waiting for; we are that change,'" said Coffey. "I challenge you all to make a change today that will affect the history that we lay down that will affect our children's lives."

Today, African-American Sailors comprise more than 17 percent of the Navy's active duty force, participating in every facet of naval operations. African-Americans who serve as active duty Sailors, reserve Sailors, and Navy civilians contribute to our Navy's efforts and represent the diversity that makes the Navy and nation strong.

The theme for this year's Women's History Month is "Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives." Women continue to influence, impact, and make history in today's Navy with their spirited and courageous efforts, following the example of the women who paved the way before them.

"According to the creators and planners of the National Women's History Project, remembering and recounting tales of our ancestors' talents, sacrifices and commitments inspires today's generations and opens the way to the future," said Lt. Emily Rosenzweig, a rabbi chaplain at RTC. "We tell the stories of women who have acted selflessly, blazed trails, created possibilities and demanded justice so that we can write ourselves into the literature and history of the world. I think it's equally as important to be grateful for someone else who took the test flights."

Rosenzweig went on to relay the story of Julie Schwartz, an American rabbi who in 1986 became the first woman to serve as an active-duty Jewish chaplain in the United States. Schwartz became a lieutenant junior grade in the Navy and served a successful tour at the naval hospital in Oakland, California.

"In the 30 years since her first application for endorsement, there have been fewer than 10 active female rabbis and I'm number eight," said Rosenzweig. "I'm grateful for her courage and commitment to her calling. She was the pilot who tested the catapult and now my military chaplaincy career can take flight."

Today, women in the Navy make up 18 percent of the active and reserve forces with more than 59,000 women serving on active duty and more than 9,000 serving in the Navy Reserve.

Overall, the celebration was a good way for service members to increase their knowledge and awareness of the contributions of African-Americans and women to the Navy and nation.

"Recognizing the contributions African-Americans and women have made to our country and the Navy helps to foster a better understanding of the experiences of both groups," said Cmdr. Kertreck Brooks, executive officer, RTC. "Our Navy is a very diverse organization and in order to continue to attract, develop, and retain a high-quality, diverse workforce, events such as today help to show that we as an organization truly value a culture of inclusion. We will continue to be united as one by our shared commitment to the Navy team."

For more news from Recruit Training Command, visit www.navy.mil/.