By Staff Sgt. Daniel Martinez
506th Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs

BAGHDAD — Local Iraqi women joined Airmen and Soldiers here Aug. 26 for Women's Equality Day, a presentation honoring the accomplishments and struggles for women's rights.

Hosted by the 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, 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 government," 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 government.

Looking back on what has changed in Iraq since then, she added, "[Now] I can see so many women, they are struggling daily in order to get to power positions, decision maker positions in Iraq. They had 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. Air Force. 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 deployed here from the 7th Fighter Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. "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."

"The whole point is equal access to opportunities for all people, no matter what they look like, what shape they come in or where they are from," she said.

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."

Drawing parallels between the women of America's past and Iraq's present, all the speakers shared the same desire to see a better future for Iraqi women.

"Watching and learning about the challenges these women face, and learning about issues that affect most women across Kirkuk province, has given me a better appreciation for our own women's rights movement in the United States," said Army Capt. Erin Barrett, 2nd Brigade Combat Team Provost Marshal and Kirkuk Provincial Reconstruction Team 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."