Commentary>>Celebrating Women's History Month

Throughout history, women in the military have made significant contributions. This is especially true in the Air Force whether they are flying A-10 Thunderbolt IIs or commanding thousands of Airmen.

Women's History Month officially started in March 2000 by order of President Clinton when he signed a presidential proclamation highlighting women of the past and future. He encouraged all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities, and to remember throughout the year the many contributions of courageous women who have made this nation strong.

Air Force women who have made a difference include Marty Wyall, serving in the Women Air Force Service Pilots; Betty Gillies, the first woman pilot to qualify for the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron; Sergeant Vanessa Sheffield, a C-130 Hercules maintainer back in the '70s when there weren't many women in the maintenance career field; and 2nd Lt. Raquel Dronenburg, currently training to be an unmanned aircraft operator. And these are just four of the thousands of women who have helped make this the greatest Air Force in the world.

Other highlights:

– Esther Blake, the first woman in the Air Force, who enlisted the very first day, the very first minute, July 8, 1948, that women were authorized to serve in the active-duty Air Force
– In 1995, Captain Martha McSally becomes the first female to fly combat missions
– Colonel Eileen Collins became the first female space shuttle commander on July 22, 1999. (Courtesy of Air Force News Service)