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FM 100's Jill Atwood ReportingMany would say Operation Desert Storm was the turning point for women in the military, a time in history when female soldiers finally had a chance to prove themselves in the field. In today's Smart Woman Jill Atwood from our sister station FM100 introduces us to generations of female war veterans. Times have changed, but some things do stay the same.
Eula Kimber was a wave in the navy in World War II. She assigned officers to their quarters, much like a hotel clerk, she says. For her it was just a job,not a career, but it did give her the confidence to pursue her dreams.
Each story grips this audience at the University of Utah. Four women, four different wars. Now retired, Lt. Colonel Yvonne Rasmussen served as a nurse in Vietnam. She says back then sexual harassment was common practice.
Lt Col. (R) Yvonne Rasmussen, U.S. Air Force: "It was somebody's idea it would be a morale booster for us to wear white uniforms with short skirts, so they put us in white uniforms and short skirts."
A far cry from the stories told by Desert Storm Vet Melonie Kent. She served in a combat role right alongside the guys sending and receiving encrypted information.
SSG Melonie Kent U.S. Army: "Very high stress, high stress job. Because if you make a mistake people die. You became a machine of sorts."
Major Janice Gourley can relate. She's just back from Iraq. Like most men she joined for adventure, and opportunity. She says while some barriers still exist for women, most have been shattered.
Janice Gourley Major, U.S. Air Force: "We do the same jobs. We support our country and serve our country the same as the men. They expect that and we expect that of ourselves and we don't want to be singled out. We are soldiers whether we are female or male. We are all soldiers and we all love our country."
