RTTUZYUW RUEWMCS0000 0232159-UUUU--RUCRNAD ZNR UUUUU R 272200Z JAN 14 PSN 154933K25 FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1// UNCLAS//N05750// NAVADMIN 016/14 MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/JAN// SUBJ/OBSERVANCE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN/BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2014// RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces the national observance of African American/Black History Month from 1-28 February 2014. The national and Department of Defense theme for this year's observance is "Civil Rights in America." 2. The recognition of African American/Black History Month originated in 1926 as Negro History Week. Observed during the second week of February, a week that encompassed the birthdays of two champions of equality, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, the event brought national recognition to African American contributions to America throughout her history. 50 years after its creation, during the bicentennial of the United States in 1976, President Gerald R. Ford expanded the observance and proclaimed February to be Black History Month. This year's theme, "Civil Rights in America," acknowledges some of America's greatest advocates for social justice - Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. Du Bois, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Fanny Lou Hamer. 3. African American Sailors have served the United States honorably through every major armed conflict since the Revolutionary War, including Operation ODYSSEY DAWN and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. To date, there have been 87 African American Congressional Medal of Honor award recipients, including eight African American Sailors who were bestowed the award for their actions during the Civil War. Today, African American Sailors comprise more than 17 percent of the Navy's active-duty force, participating in every facet of naval operations. The nearly 54,500 active-duty Sailors, reserve Sailors, and Navy civilians contribute to our Navy's efforts and represent the diversity that makes our Navy and nation strong. 4. Among the many African American Sailors who have served with distinction are those forging the way for freedom and equality. LCDR Wesley A. Brown, who passed away on 22 May 2012, became the first African American graduate of the United States Naval Academy when he was commissioned in 1949. Brown joined the Navy's Civil Engineer Corps and his determination and success blazed a trail for future African American Sailors striving for equality. Edna Young, the first African American woman to enlist in the regular Navy and later the first African American woman to achieve the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Young joined the Navy after the passage of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 7 July 1948. Vice Admiral Michelle Howard has many firsts to her credit including being the first female United States Naval Academy graduate to be promoted to the rank of admiral, first black female to command a combatant ship, and the first black female promoted to two-star and three-star admiral. She has also been Senate-confirmed to serve as Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the service's number 2 uniformed officer. She will be the first black and first woman to hold the job and the first female four-star admiral. These outstanding examples of African American Sailors are just a handful of those making history. 5. All commands are strongly encouraged to utilize this month to increase their understanding and awareness of the many contributions African Americans have made to the Navy by supporting programs, exhibits, publications, and participation in military and community events. More information on diversity conferences, events, and observances is available at the Navy Diversity and Inclusion web site at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers- npc/support/21st_Century_Sailor/diversity/Pages/default2.aspx. A showcase of African Americans in naval history can be found on the Naval History and Heritage Command webpage at http://www.history.Navy.mil/special%20highlights/africanamerican/african- hist.htm. 6. Point of contact is LCDR Shaletha Moran, at (703) 604-5081 or via e-mail shaletha.moran(at)navy.mil, or Ms. Shirley Copeland, at (703) 604-5080 or via e-mail shirley.copeland(at)navy.mil. 7. This NAVADMIN will remain in effect until 1 March 2014. 8. Released by Vice Admiral W. F. Moran, N1.// BT #2010 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//