SSP joins SPK Leadership to Honor Women's Equality Day

03 September 2024

From Thomas Jones

KINGS BAY, Ga. – In celebration of Women’s Equality Day, Lt. Cmdr. Brittni King, Construction Management Team Lead at Strategic Weapons Facility, Atlantic, conducted a presentation Aug 26 highlighting the historic contributors to advancement of women’s equality, her own perspectives as a woman, and how those around her have shaped her life, career, and experiences.

Download

Women’s Equality Day, established in 1973, celebrates the adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and commemorates all those who have championed universal suffrage. The 19^th Amendment, ratified in August 1920, guarantees the right to vote for all U.S. Citizens regardless of gender.

King highlighted several historic champions of suffrage in her presentation. Notable figures include Frederick Douglass, a former slave who, alongside Elizabeth Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, who founded the American Equal Rights Association; Harry T. Burn, the youngest member of the Tennessee General Assembly who, in the face of immense political pressure, became the deciding vote in the ratifying of the 19^th Amendment; and Zitkala-Sa, a member of the Yankton Dakota Sioux, taken from her home and placed into a forced assimilation program, where she remained for years.

“Despite the trauma of this experience, (Zitkala-Sa) dedicated her life to preserving her heritage and fighting for equality,” King said.

“I stand on the shoulders of giants, the allies who paved the way, the fearless advocates who fought for women’s rights, and the voices who spoke for the voiceless,” said King. “These remarkable individuals, along with countless others – to include each of you in the room today, worked tirelessly to shatter barriers that confined women to the margins of society.”

“As I reflect on my own journey, I am profoundly indebted to the relentless advocates and leaders who have enabled me to maintain my cultural identity while serving in the military. They have embraced my distinct perspective, recognized the value of my cultural differences, and actively sought to place me in roles that foster my personal and professional development, empowering me to become a mentor and advocate for others,” said King.

She emphasized the importance of being an example to those around you and how inclusion begets inclusion.

“While I’ve had incredible male leadership throughout my career, having a female CEC officer as a direct supervisor was particularly influential. Her competence, leadership skills, and respect within the organization made my career aspirations more tangible,” King said.

“Seeing someone who shared a similar background and achieved success in a leadership role provided a powerful sense of representation and possibility. It inspired me, especially as a young Junior Officer, to believe that I could reach similar heights in my own career,” she continued.

Women have served in the Navy for over a century, beginning with the establishment of the Navy Nurse Corps in 1908, and during World War I, women were allowed to enlist in a limited capacity for the first time. In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the Women’s branch of the U.S. Naval Reserve, officially permitting women to enlist and become officers, and in 1994 women were assigned aboard a combat ship for the first time. Today, there are over 70,000 women serving in the Navy, and the Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. Lisa Franchetti, is the first female member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

King highlighted being an example isn’t just about the people you work with. It starts with the support of those closest to you.

“My father has been a tremendous source of motivation and inspiration throughout my life. He played multiple roles – father, coach, mentor – and always went above and beyond to support my brother and me. His unwavering belief in me was instrumental in shaping my ambitions. He constantly challenged me to strive for greatness, instilling a sense of purpose and confidence,” King said.

Highlighting the importance of coordinating these observances across Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), Caroline Magdinec, Special Projects Program Manager, stated “Special Observances, like Women’s Equality Day, drive SSP to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment. Recognizing these achievements and milestones allows us to move forward in a positive direction. Encouraging the workforce in this way promotes a healthy and safe environment where people feel respected and are more focused on driving the mission to closure.”

Throughout her presentation, King emphasized brave and dedicated trailblazers and advocates alongside her own personal story. Her experiences alongside many others with stories of their own, highlight the impact of their actions standing for what they believe in so that women today and in the future get the chance to live equal to their peers.

Google Translation Disclaimer

Search News

SSP joins SPK Leadership to Honor Women's Equality Day

From Thomas Jones