Local Iraqi women joined Airmen and Soldiers, Aug. 26 for Women's Equality Day, a presentation honoring the accomplishments and struggles for women's rights.
Hosted by the 3rd Bn, 82nd FAR, 2nd BCT, 1st Cav Div, the event provided a historical and chronological look at how women's opportunities have evolved in America, and highlighted the current matters affecting Iraqi women.
Among the guest speakers was Ala Noori Talabani, a Kirkuk native and women's union organizer. Talabani spoke about the challenges Iraqi women have faced in the past and present. "In the past, we used to always hide ourselves. We were afraid of the ex-Iraqi govt," Talabani said. She explained how during that era, it was often the women who would be punished if their brothers, fathers or husbands refused to serve the govt.
Looking back on what has changed in Iraq since then, she added, "Now I can see so many women; they're struggling daily in order to get to power positions, decision maker positions in Iraq. They have enough courage."
Reflecting on the event's theme of "Deeds, not words," Capt. Jammie Jamieson, 506th Air Expeditionary Group, protocol officer, spoke about being the first operational and combat mission ready female F-22 fighter pilot in the U.S. AF. Captain Jamieson emphasized the meaning of the quote from iconic 20th century women's rights advocate, Alice Paul, to illustrate facilitating change. "The first thing about inspiring change, specifically for the Iraqi women, is them knowing that anything is possible," said the captain. "Part of being able to know what's possible is actually seeing it in front of you. So as an example, having an actual woman F-22 fighter pilot in front of them, they can see and know that the possibility exists, then envision a future where it's a reality for them here in Iraq and work for those equal opportunities."
During her speech, she emphasized the power of actions over words, stating, "The packaging you come in – your gender, your race, your nationality, your religious or ethnic background – does not guarantee your success or failure. Those things may define what you are, but they do not define who you are. It truly is what you do, and how well you do it, that defines you."
"Watching and learning about the challenges these women face, and learning about issues that affect most women across Kirkuk prov., has given me a better appreciation for our own women's rights movement in the U.S.," said Army Capt. Erin Barrett, 2nd BCT Provost Marshal and Kirkuk PRT liaison officer, speaking at the event. She later added, "The simplicity of the movement's beginning, and understanding its overwhelming success gives me hope for the women of Iraq."
