Naval Station Everett held a ceremony March 16 to celebrate the accomplishments of great women throughout America’s history.

Women’s History Month originated in 1978 when a county in California first dedicated Women’s History Week to coincide with International Women’s Day. It grew and grew until Congress finally declared March, National Women’s History Month in 1987.

To celebrate, NAVSTA Everett invited Caldie Rogers, President and CEO of The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce to speak to the Sailors about her past and how the values of Women’s History Month can apply to everyone, regardless of gender.

“The women in our history who’ve reached astronomical heights have no interest in gender,” said Rogers. “They only have an interest in being the best.”

Rogers also discussed some of the history of women in the military and the Navy specifically. As early as the Civil War, women played important roles in the military when nuns were brought in to treat patients onboard the first commissioned hospital ship. In 1908, Congress created the Navy Nurse Corps and women were officially allowed to serve.

“The spirited and courageous efforts of women in the United States Navy have shaped our legacy,” said Rear Adm. Gary Roughead, Chief of Naval Operations in a commentary released in early March.

Women have come a long way in the Navy. There are now over 53,000 women serving as active duty Sailors and they make up over 16 percent of the work force. It is all owed to those great women who served and struggled to accomplish the things they desired.

Keeping in line with the inspiration of those women, Rogers gave the Sailors some advice and inspiring words of wisdom as someone who has had much success in her lifetime.

“I was raised where you’re not given respect, you earn it,” said Rogers.