A high percentage of the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade is female Soldiers. Brigade Commander Col. Daniel Soller sees firsthand how valuable women are to the mission.

"They bring a whole different perspective," he said.

To recognize and celebrate women in service the 201st BfSB partnered with I Corps to present this year's Women's History Month observance. Tuesday's event at Evergreen Theater on Lewis Main was centered around the theme "Women Inspiring Innovation Through Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics."

Doctor Eve Riskin, an associate dean of academic affairs for the University of Washington College of Engineering, professor of electrical engineering and director of the ADVANCE Center for Institutional Change, was invited as the guest speaker.

The UW continues to see its numbers increase for women students and faculty in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field.

"I'm really proud of how we're doing for women at the UW and I wanted to show off to people who would listen," Riskin said. "I'm excited JBLM chose to focus on women in STEM."

Riskin addressed the issues of why women are underrepresented in the STEM field due to bias, and how the stigma can be broken down by mentoring and supporting women. The professor has spent more than 30 years in the engineering field focused on image compression and image processing. Riskin advocates to increase the participation of women in STEM fields.

"I am thrilled to be invited because the issue of women's participation is not just a women's issue," Riskin said. "It's a people issue. It's so important that men are part of the solution."

Col. Soller presented Riskin with a framed photo of the "Iron Mike" statue in front of Mount Rainier and acknowledged her as an example of a woman moving to the forefront of STEM.

"(Today) is truly a celebration," Soller said. "A celebration of the changes in our society that have been prompted by the greatest American women in history and a celebration of women who are today, and well into our future, continue to break down barriers and shape the world around us."

Following the event attendees approached Riskin and asked how they could encourage their daughters to study science or engineering. Riskin also offered support to female service members preparing to transition and pursue an education in the STEM field.