In honor of Women’s History Month, the South Dakota National Guard is hosting a traveling exhibit of women’s military uniforms from several time-periods and from multiple services. The display is called "Weaving the Stories of Women's Lives".
We spoke to the first Command Chief Warrant Officer for the state of South Dakota for her views on the exhibit and women in the military.
Darla Crown is due to retire in May having spent 42 years in the South Dakota Army National Guard.
“Having grown up on a farm…ranch out in the Badlands,” Crown recalls, “being one of four daughters…my parents couldn’t afford…of course…to send me to college. And I saw an opportunity in the military to get an education.”
Crown enlisted upon graduation from high school in 1973 and never looked back…serving in both full-time and part-time status over the years. Among other pros, she’s enjoyed the chance to learn new skills, meet new people and to travel. Crown also appreciates the equal opportunities the military offers to women.
“Because gender doesn’t enter into our salary,” explains Crown. “Our pay is based upon our time in grade and our number of years in service. And our benefits are equal when it comes to our educational benefits and our medical benefits.”
Command Chief Warrant Officer Crown hopes that young women who view the traveling women’s military uniform display are inspired to at least try a career in the armed forces. It’s a choice, says Crown, that can offer a lifetime of equal opportunities.
Exhibit dates and locations:
March 2-4, 7 a.m.–9 p.m., Spearfish – Black Hills State University – Yellow Jacket Student Union
March 5-6, 6 a.m.–7 p.m., Rapid City – South Dakota School of Mines & Technology – Surbeck Center
March 8-13, 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Rapid City – Camp Rapid, Joint Force Headquarters, Bldg. 420
March 16-20, 7 a.m.–6 p.m., Vermillion – University of South Dakota – Muenster University Center
March 23-27, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Brookings – South Dakota State University – Student Union
March 30-April 3, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Pierre – South Dakota National Guard Museum
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