Breaking the Bronze Ceiling: So Many 'Firsts' and 'Onlys'At the White House yesterday afternoon, it was a star-studded affair--military stars, that is. First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a tea in honor of military women and veterans, whose service stretches from World War II through Afghanistan and Iraq. Co-hosted by Second Lady Jill Biden, the East Room affair was a living history lesson in courage, dedication, and sacrifice. It was attended by women representing all branches and ranks of the US military, as well as members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, including Marine General James Cartwright, and senior enlisted advisers. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Congressional Caucus on Womens Issues chairman, along with co-chair Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.) and Rep. Susan Davis (D-Calif.), co-chairwoman of the caucus' Women in the Military/Veterans Task Force were also present. And the East Room room was spangled with what Mrs. Obama called "firsts" and "onlys," women who have broken the "bronze ceiling," and been the first to achieve their rank--or the only woman ever to do so. In her remarks, Mrs. Obama said that beyond courage and determination, the legacy of women in the military is inspiration. (Above: Mrs. Obama speaking during the tea)
"I hope you know that your legacy will be measured in the service of every woman who follows in the trails that you've blazed -- every woman who benefits from your daring and determination," Mrs. Obama said. "It will be measured in the inspiration that you provide to our daughters and our granddaughters -- and to our sons and our grandsons as well."
Among the guests w
ere Ann Dunwoody, the first woman to become a four-star general, and Coast Guard Commander Dorothy Stratton, who led the SPARS during World War II; she and now has a Coast Guard cutter named in her honor. Tammy Duckworth, who lost both her legs in Iraq, and is now the Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Veterans Affairs Department, was inattendance. Jennifer Grieves made military hisotry with the Obamas: She's the first woman Marine One aircraft commander, and she also commanded the first-ever flight with an all-female crew. Mrs. Obama also pointed out one of the oldest women military members in the room, Esther Corcoran, who was born in 1905 -- and who was one of the first women in the Army to achieve the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
"I hope you don't mind me telling on you," Mrs. Obama said to laughter and applause. The other oldest vet at the tea was Alyce Dixon, who was born in 1907, and served with the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during the Second World War, which was filled with female service members. (Above: Mrs. Obama chats with younger military members)
There was sadness too. Mrs. Obama said that women can look to Army Staff Sergeant Amy Krueger as an example. She enlisted after the September 11 attacks, and was one of the thirteen killed in the shooting rampage at Fort Hood.
"When her mother told her that she couldn’t take on Osama bin Laden all by herself, Amy replied, simply: "Watch me," Mrs. Obama said. "She said, "Watch me." And I think that more than anything, that phrase "watch me" sums up the spirit of our women in uniform throughout our history. When others doubted you, or dismissed you, or questioned whether you could endure the training or complete the mission -- that was your response: "Watch me."
Mrs. Obama noted the critical role of military families, too. "We know that our servicemen and women’s sacrifices are their families’ sacrifices as well," she said. "Many of you have spouses, partners, children, parents who stood by you and encouraged you and prayed for you every step of the way. And this day is their day too, as far as we're concerned."
Mrs. Biden, a Blue Star mother, was joined at the podium by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Gen. Cartwright, who is vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to honor the guests. Mrs. Biden told the group that she and the First Lady, in their travels around the country, had been "truly overwhelmed by the courage of our men and women in uniform, and inspired by the dignity and sense of patriotism that you exhibit every day." "What an extraordinary group of individuals we have here today," Mrs. Biden said. Her son, Beau, recently returned from deployment in Iraq. (Above, Mrs. Biden during her remarks)
The tea was organized at the suggestion of retired Brig. General Wilma Vaught, who served 28 years in the Air Force, and is now president of the board of directors of the Women In Military Service in America Memorial Foundation, who mentioned it when Mrs. Obama visited Arlington National Cemetery a few months ago. White House teas were popularized by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt--who was part of the inspiration for one of Mrs. Obama's other high-profile projects, the Kitchen Garden. Tea--iced and hot--was served, as were a selection of cookies and tea sandwiches. To much laughter, at the end of her remarks, Mrs. Obama joked that guests should wait until she left before spiking their tea. Both Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Biden wore purple clothing, the color of honor for military who have served with exemplary valor.
A video of the First Lady's remarks:
*Read the full text of Mrs. Obama's remarks here.
Related: Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Biden launch Mission-Serve, a military-civilian service initiative here; Mrs. Obama and President Obama on Veteran's Day is here; Mrs. Obama and President Obama at the Ft. Hood memorial ceremony is here. Recipes for the "Michelle Obama Military Family Menu" are here. Information on the Farmer-Veteran Coalition is here.
*Photo at top of post by Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class William Selby. Middle photo by Samnatha Appleton/White House. Video courtesy of the White House.
