By MC2 Brian H. Abel

Monterey County Board of Supervisors 5th District Supervisor Mary Adams offered a candid perspective on the status of women in the Monterey County government to an audience of NPS students, faculty and staff in the Mechanical Engineering Auditorium during NPS’ Women’s History Month celebration, March 15.

“When I was starting out back in the early days, I faced obstacles but I stand on the shoulders of a lot of women who have struggled more than I did,” said Adams. “They had more ceilings to crack, and because of them, far more is open to us here now.”

Adams took advantage of the gathering, held by the local chapter of Federally Employed Woman (FEW) and NPS Heritage Committee, to address issues she had experienced throughout her time in the workforce.

“I had the same job as a male counterpart and it became known to me, because of the friendship he and I developed, that he was making significantly more money than I was even though our education levels were the same,” said Adams. “It wasn’t the first time I had my eyes opened, but it was the first time I could really point to personal discrimination in that regard.”

“Remembering what it used to be is so crucial because there are so many younger people in the world today who just assume that we’ve always had the rights that we have,” she continued. “They forget that there was a very long history here of what we had to go through in order to be able to have the freedoms that we have, and how important it is for us to stand tall and work to ensure that we keep those freedoms.”

According to NPS Chief of Staff Capt Mike Ward, the event is indicative of the opportunities provided by the university’s Heritage Committee, where the NPS community can come together to learn more about the diverse cultures and backgrounds within today's military and on campus.

“This Heritage Committee event is important for the NPS campus as it provides a venue to highlight the principle that diversity is a true strategic enabler. It makes us a more effective organization and team,” said Ward. “Having one of our community leaders in Supervisor Adams here today was a special way to celebrate both our diversity and Women’s History Month.”