The Salem VA Medical Center held a luncheon with a panel discussion on March 22, to celebrate Women’s History Month.
The program was sponsored by the Federal Women’s program Committee of which Charlene Scott is program manager. Dr. Judi Love Bowman was moderator of the panel.
The panelists were Brenda Hale, president, local Branch NAACP; Rev. Linda Olson, Hospital Chaplain, and Freeda Cathcart, Public Policy Chair for the Roanoke Women’s Club. All spoke on overcoming challenges in our society.
Brenda Hale spoke about losing her mother at a young age to domestic violence and being raised by a relative. She learned how to be strong and later joined the army to serve the nation and to receive a college education.
Chaplain Linda Olson also told about her experience being in the army. She said a male sergeant tried to prevent her from doing her job and told her that she didn’t belong in the service.
Freeda Cathcart related her experiences in having to overcome prejudice and emphasized the importance of women to be given the same opportunities as men.
“When women do the work, they deserve the credit and the right to be paid the same as men.”
