The NMRTC Lemoore Diversity Committee Celebrates, Honors and Recognizes Black History Month

01 March 2023

From Elaine Heirigs

(Feb, 16, 2023) “I chose to focus on achievements and not struggles,” said Command Master Chief Eric Smith, guest speaker for the Diversity Committee’s Black History Month celebration held at Naval Health Clinic Lemoore on February 16. “We can’t control the thoughts or actions of others, but we can control how we live our lives.”

In his speech to the command, Smith talked about three notable African American Sailors including Chief John Henry Turpin, one of the first African American Chief Petty Officers in the Navy who served during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Robert Augustus Sweeny who was one of 19 men in the Navy and the only African American to receive the Medal of Honor for acts of bravery during peacetime, twice. And finally, Nsombi Roberts, the first African American woman to serve on a submarine.

During Smith’s 25-year Navy career, he earned four warfare devices: Fleet Marine Force Enlisted Warfare Specialist, Expeditionary Warfare Specialist, Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist and Marine Combat Aircrew.

“We picked the CMC as the guest speaker to give our Sailors in our command a chance to get to know him more on a personal level and to inspire,” said Lt. Maryrose Gallardo, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command’s Diversity Committee Officer.

This year’s Black History Month theme is “Inspiring Change,” epitomize the contributions of African Americans to challenging racial inequities and promote opportunities for equal advancement within the African American community.
“For our Black History Month celebration, we chose to spotlight Henrietta Lacks to honor, educate and create awareness throughout our command on her important contribution to medical advancement which saved countless lives,” said Gallardo.

Henrietta Lacks was an African American woman whose human cancer cells were the first immortalized human cell line, called the HeLa cell line.

Command Master Chief Eric Smith, guest speaker for the Diversity Committee’s Black History Month celebration held at Naval Health Clinic Lemoore on February 16, 2023. This year's theme was "Inspiring Change".

“This event helped me remember where the Black community started and how prosperous it has become and developed despite the trials they were burdened with,” said Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Chazden Stribling from Medical Home Port Gold Team. “There was a moment where we had learned about the use of human cells that were taken from Henrietta Lacks without consent. It is a heavy thought to hold knowing that the cells were taken without the patients consent, but they are used for key roles in vaccine development to this day.”

Christel Richards, from occupational health department sang a beautiful rendition of “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury which evoked tears in many of those in attendance.

“This ceremony was very humbling and motivational,” said Whitney O’Neal, medical staff services professional. “My takeaway is even though African Americans went through a lot and are still fighting daily, do not hang on to the past, appreciate where we are and continue to strive. As CMC, mentioned there are many African Americans that have done great things. Let’s highlight those and continue the GREATNESS!”

Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Lemoore/Naval Health Clinic Lemoore, California provides outpatient medical care to active-duty service members and their families. The clinic’s mission is to advance the readiness and health of our warfighters and beneficiaries and to invest in our people and partnerships. We keep warfighters in the fight!

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