WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- The 88th Air Base Wing will be celebrating Women’s History Month with a variety of events throughout March.
Events will include seminars, museum tours and scavenger hunts presented by the 88 ABW Special Observance Committee for Women’s History Month. The theme for this year’s celebration is "Generations of Women Moving History Forward," which highlights the triumphs of the past and champions the limitless potential that lies ahead for female Airmen.
“I think this year is going to be unique because we will have strong leadership, both in support and on display at our speaking events, and we intend to document the success of each particular program for information going forward,” said Kjirsten Frank-Hoppe, the Women’s History Month committee team lead.
The committee will host four separate seminars with key leadership across Wright-Patterson AFB. The seminars are open to the base community and require base access.
- March 8 from 1 to 2 p.m. - Women’s Health Seminar with speakers Dr. Meghan Ozcan, Capt. Shannel Matthews, and others from the Women’s Health Clinic, 88th Medical Group. RSVP link: https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=714473&k=0560460D7C54
- March 13 from 1 to 2 p.m. - Women’s History Month Seminar with speaker Maj. Gen. Heather Pringle, commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory. RSVP link: https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=714474&k=0560460D7C53
- March 21 from 10 to 11 a.m. - Professional Development Seminar with speaker Senior Master Sgt. Stephanie Zengerle, Airmen development advisor. RSVP link: https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=714481&k=0560460D7356
- March 30 from 9 to 10 a.m. - Leadership Panel discussion with panelists Chief Master Sgt. Lloyd Morales, command chief, 88 ABW; Lt. Col. Amy Justus, commander, 88th Comptroller Squadron; and Sgt. Giselle Galarza, Marine Detachment. RSVP link: https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=714471&k=0560460D7C56
“I am most looking forward to listening to the different seminars we have,” said committee member Emily Cramer. “There’s women’s health seminar about the women’s clinic we have on base, and Maj. Gen. Pringle is going to speak about her career experience. We have a professional development panel for different opportunities on base for both civilian and military and then lastly the panel discussion. I’m just excited to hear about all the experiences of the different leadership and military members that we have attending.”
In addition to the seminar events, the committee is teaming up with the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force and offering three ways to see exhibits featuring women in the Air Force.
- March 8 and 22 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. - Base employees will be able to register for a 2-hour guided tour. Registration is required. To register for the Guided Women in the Air Force (WAF) tours at the NMUSAF, please send an email with the subject “Registration for March WAF Tours” to www.nationalmuseum.mut@us.af.mil.
- Every Saturday in March (March 4, 11, 18, 25) there will be 2-hour guided tours open to the public. Tours run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. No registration is required.
- The NMUSAF will also offer a month-long scavenger hunt free and open to the public. This is meant to be an immersive, educational experience for people of all ages to learn about women’s history. View the Women of the Air Force Exhibit Map and the scavenger hunt sheets below:
Exhibit Map: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Portals/7/documents/education/Scavenger%20Hunts/Women%20in%20the%20Air%20Force%20MAP.pdf?ver=pxbwXnNVPyJzoxzM-hAXDg%3d%3d
Scavenger Hunt building 1 and 2: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=BbLi8zntTDo%3d&portalid=7
Scavenger Hunt building 3 and 4: https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=JSUiAJo496o%3d&portalid=7
These events throughout March aim to highlight the progress made for and by women in history and work toward even greater advancements in the future.
The 88 ABW will be sharing event coverage and spotlights about “Generations of Women Moving History Forward” on our official social media platforms.
88 ABW Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WPAFB
For questions about Women’s History Month activities, contact Kjirsten-Frank Hoppe at kjirsten.frank_hoppe@us.af.mil, Emily Cramer at emily.cramer@us.af.mil or Lt. Jessica Ojala at jessica.ojala.1@us.af.mil.