The U.S. Military Academy proudly honored women’s accomplishments as the USMA Equal Opportunity Office hosted the 2024 Women’s History Month Observance on March 14 at the West Point Club.
This year’s theme, “Women Who Have Made Great Achievements,” celebrated women who left an impact on the United States through their sacrifices, public service and inspirational work. The event included a singing performance of inspirational songs by West Point Band member SFC Emily McAleesejergins and keyboards by SSG Bryan Ponton.
The guest speaker for the event was MG Hope Rampy, who currently serves as the Director at the Directorate of Military Personnel Management (DMPM), and reminded everyone, particularly female cadets, during her speech that ,“It is OK to be different – to be a female Soldier, you are on a path to greatness, and you have the power to write your own history.”
Rampy asked a question to the audience, “So what separates service and great achievements?” Her response came swiftly, “Courage.”
“It’s the courage to not accept no, the courage to push through barriers, the courage to try when no one who looks like you has ever done it, the courage to keep putting one foot in front of the other – it’s the courage to be different than those around you,” Rampy imparted to the 175 people gathered at the event.
Rampy spoke about the “power to write your own story,” and referenced how women make up 24% of cadets at West Point.
“In order to make the cut, you were high achievers at your high schools and in your communities,” Rampy explained. “Your great achievements, your history is already being written and only you can define how the next chapter is written, so whether you are a plebe, yearling, cow or firstie, what will you write on your next page?”
She then looked at the female cadets in the audience and said, “I challenge you to write on the top of that page – ‘How Will I Serve?’”
Upon reflecting on her speech, Rampy was happy to share her experience to the female cadets and young officers who made up the majority of the Women’s History Month audience at West Point. “It is an incredible honor,” Rampy explained. “The biggest thing I can give is of my time to others, to invest in the next cohorts of officers. From an ROTC grad that only thought I would serve four years; it is surreal that almost 28 years later that I would have something to say that may impact the future service of these West Point cadets.”
Excerpt and image taken from https://www.westpoint.edu.
