RECOGNIZING VIRGINIA'S FOURTH DISTRICT BLACK HISTORY MONTH ESSAY CONTEST--1ST PLACE MIDDLE SCHOOL WINNER, AUGUSTUS REZBA-PATEL

On 2025-03-03, Representative Jennifer L. McClellan (D-VA-4) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING VIRGINIA'S FOURTH DISTRICT BLACK HISTORY MONTH ESSAY CONTEST--1ST PLACE MIDDLE SCHOOL WINNER, AUGUSTUS REZBA" in the House. The speech addressed the economy and also covered taxes, foreign policy.

RECOGNIZING VIRGINIA'S FOURTH DISTRICT BLACK HISTORY MONTH ESSAY CONTEST--1ST PLACE MIDDLE SCHOOL WINNER, AUGUSTUS REZBA-PATEL

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 40 (Monday, March 3, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 40 (Monday, March 3, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E180] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING VIRGINIA'S FOURTH DISTRICT BLACK HISTORY MONTH ESSAY CONTEST--1ST PLACE MIDDLE SCHOOL WINNER, AUGUSTUS REZBA-PATEL ______ HON. JENNIFER L. McCLELLAN of virginia in the house of representatives Monday, March 3, 2025 Ms. McCLELLAN. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following essay from Virginia's Fourth District Black History Month Essay Contest--1st Place middle school contest winner, Augustus Rezba-Patel. Women are 17 percent of active-duty U.S. military members today. They serve in combat and leadership roles and are vital to the function of the U.S. military. But it wasn't always this way. When Charity Adams-Early joined the military in 1942, women were restricted to certain occupations and comprised just 1 percent of the military. Not only that, but people were discriminatory to Black Americans, restricting their education, housing, and neighborhoods. Even the military was segregated by race. Despite these barriers, Charity Adams-Early overcame both racism and misogyny to become the highest-ranking Black woman in the military during WWII. Charity Adams-Early was born in Kittrell, North Carolina on December 5, 1918, two years before women's suffrage, where segregation and racial prejudice were social norms. She often faced challenges that tested her resilience, but with her mother's help, she excelled at learning, graduating high school two years early as the valedictorian. She attended Wilberforce University, triple-majoring in Latin, physics, and math. After graduating, she taught math and science (Eley). When WWII started, the U.S. rapidly expanded the military. In 1942, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was formed, allowing skillful women to serve. Adams-Early was highly recommended and was accepted. She arrived at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, in July, to start training. Segregation immediately took effect when she arrived at the fort, with White and Black women assigned to different barracks. Adams-Early prevailed over racism to become the first Black officer in the WAAC, and was promoted to Major in 1943, meaning she was high rank (Eley). Adams-Early overcame systemic racism. Believe it or not, systemic racism is happening right under our noses at this exact moment. For example, my school's Honors English class is mostly White, while the non-honors classes are mostly Black. This isn't because our Black students have less potential, but because their Elementary schools didn't get as much financial support as other schools, giving them fewer opportunities for advanced academics and extracurriculars. Another example of systemic racism is the story of Richmond's Jackson Ward. Jackson Ward was a positive place, where black people and businesses thrived. Then, in 1958, the state put the highway right through their neighborhood, cutting them off from their businesses and jobs, leading to unemployment and poverty. Adams-Early also faced sexism because in 1940 many people hated the idea of a woman achieving more than them (and still do). Women didn't even have the right to maintain a fixed status in the military. So Adams had the worst of it. Charity Adams-Early overcame many social and systemic obstacles. She paved the way for generations of women and Black Americans in the military. Today women and Black people hold leadership roles, serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, advise the President, and serve as Cabinet leaders. We all owe her a lot, but we still have much to learn from her. Currently, women and people of color can learn from her and face systemic racism and sexism by always being determined and never giving up. ____________________