This February, we invite you to join us in celebrating the contributions and dedication of the many thousands of Black women who have served our country in peace and war. Black people, including Black women, have fought in every American conflict – from the Revolutionary War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – making significant contributions to the nation's defense.

MWM is honored to stand in solidarity and support of the experiences and sacrifices of the men and women who have served our country - even in times when our country hasn't served them. Be sure to follow along on our social media all month long, as we honor and highlight the stories of these women and the significant impact that they have had on the U.S. military throughout history.

Thanks to each and every member of this community for allowing us to continue highlighting the stories of the many servicewomen who have defended our country. Your support is critical to our ongoing operations and mission to honor and tell the story of every woman who has served in our nation's defense. Help us celebrate your accomplishments and theirs by registering your service and that of another servicewoman today.

A Message From The President

Greetings. It's February already! I just commented to the staff that we are 1/12th into the new year. It is nice to see the days getting longer and soon the temperature will be rising. Thanks for tuning in to this edition of The Register. 

In commemoration of Black History Month, this edition of The Register’s “Herstory Spotlight” video features the compelling and heroic story of Army Private Sarah Keys Evans who changed America when she refused to move to the back of the bus in 1952 – three years before Rosa Parks’ famous stand. You’ll also find five profiles of trailblazing Black servicewomen who made a difference. We are proud to lift up the stories of our sisters-in-service, not only during this special commemorative period but every day as part of our mission to tell every military woman's story.  

Along with moving into the new year, we are gearing up with new programs and events in support of our mission. I’m eager to give you some of the highlights and hope you will make plans to join us.   

March, Women’s History Month, will feature our next program in the Women, Peace, and Security series. Join us on March 6 as we welcome Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks and four of our military’s female 4-stars as they address “Beyond Firsts: Powering the Future Force.”  

Jessica Lynch: Her War, Her Story is another special Women’s History Month program you won’t want to miss.

Purple Heart recipient and former Iraq War POW Jessica Lynch will be the featured speaker at a dinner program on the evening of March 18 and again on March 19 for a fireside chat at the Memorial. The March 19 program will also feature a special Women’s History Month performance by an all-woman ensemble of The US Army Band “Pershing’s Own." More information is available for all of these programs in this edition of The Register.  

Plans are also in the works for future programs. Mark June 12th on your calendar for a program commemorating Women Veterans Appreciation Day and the 75th Anniversary of the 1948 Women’s Armed Services Integration Act. July 4th will feature a special evening at the Memorial for dinner and the nation’s spectacular fireworks display. And, start planning and saving now for an April 2024 Women Veterans Cruise! We are working with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines for an 8-night, roundtrip cruise aboard the Odyssey of the Seas, from Fort Lauderdale to Willemstad Curaçao, Oranjestad Aruba, and Perfect Day Cococay Bahamas. More info to come on this great adventure.  

And lastly, thanks to many of you for your kind notes of encouragement, both mailed and penned on donation reply devices. The staff and I love what we do but it is always nice – and a great morale booster – to have our efforts acknowledged. Thank you for being a part of this community of military women, women veterans, and loyal supporters who help us each day to fulfill our important mission of telling the story of women’s service.   

I hope you enjoy this edition of The Register.   

New in the Military Women's Memorial Collection

This month's Collections feature is a 1984 Stars and Stripes Pacific edition newspaper, which illustrates how the service experiences of military women from different generations resonate with servicewomen across time.

Donated by retired Air Force Major June Shaffer, who “saved this newspaper for a long time,” it is the first in a four-part Stars and Stripes series about military women. Featured on the cover is Stella (Bandouveris) Youngren who, in 1951, was the only Air Force servicewoman assigned to Grenier Field, New Hampshire. She was a radio mechanic. Until she was reassigned to Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts, her assignment as the lone servicewoman at the base created a myriad of challenges, such as quarters, healthcare, and the like, for the leadership.

In a unique twist, Stella Youngren donated a 1951 newspaper article that details the circumstances of her assignment among all male peers—as so provocatively suggested in the above photo from the article.

We are grateful to MWM Charter Members June Shaffer and Stella Youngren for their donations to the Military Women’s Memorial Collection, the singular repository that tells the stories of women’s service to the nation, in and with the US Armed Forces, ensuring that these items are preserved for future generations.

February HERstory Spotlight Video

In honor of Black History Month, we are highlighting the story of Sarah Keys Evans, a civil rights trailblazer who stood up in the face of discrimination by refusing to give up her seat on a bus - three years before the arrest of Rosa Parks.

The HERstory Spotlight Series takes a look at stories from both our Register, an interactive online database of military women's stories, and our world-class collection. 

Stories From The Register

In celebration of Black History Month 2023, these stories from the Register represent the many trailblazing women who stepped up to serve their country during peace and war, breaking down racial and gender barriers for themselves and those who would follow. Their service personifies the theme of this year’s observance “Black Resistance: Building Bridges and Navigating Barriers,” and celebrates the contributions of Black military women.

SSgt Betty Moseley Brown - Marine Corps 1978-1992

"In 1978, female Marines were still transitioning to the 4th Battalion Barracks. I was in one of the last platoons to be housed in the "yellow" barracks across the street from 4th Battalion. In those days, we were still part of the Women's Recruit Training Center (WRTC). My memorable experience was marching to cadence from those yellow barracks to the chow hall daily. I thought that was how my military service would be. I was in for ongoing awakenings. Thanks to SSgt Taylor who sang like a songbird and for a moment, took my mind to a peaceful place. I've had so many memorable experiences and have just published a book on some of them: "Leadership Lessons: Personal Reflections from a Woman Marine." Thanks to all the Marines and my fellow boot camp buddies who didn't give up on me. Since my service as President, Women Marines Association (2012-2018), I always give thanks and credit to (then) Colonel Gail Reals for my survival at boot camp. She was in charge of WRTC at Parris Island, SC, and went on to reach the rank of Brigadier General. OOHRAH!"

CW3 Doris "Lucki" Allen, USA Ret. - Army WAC 1950-1978; Army 1978-1980

"My most memorable experiences were the years of 1967 to 1970, when I served in Vietnam, and my survival through the 1968 Tet Offensive. As a senior intelligence analyst in Vietnam, I was recognized as having been responsible, through production of one specific intelligence report, for saving the lives of at least 101 US Marines fighting in Quang Tri Province. During my years of service, I survived many prejudices against me as a woman, me as a soldier with the rank of specialist, me as an intelligence technician, and me as a black woman. But all of the prejudices were overshadowed by a wonderful camaraderie and lots of love and lasting friendships. I wouldn't trade it for a million dollars."

CMC Octavia S. Harris, USN Ret. - Navy 1982-2012

Two months after her high school graduation, Octavia Harris started her training in Orlando, Florida. The Navy was in a period of transition. Women had only been allowed to serve at sea for four years when Harris joined the service, and female enlisted Sailors were still training separately from their male counterparts. According to Harris, integrated training was instituted to make it easier for women to serve with their male counterparts in the fleet. Her first assignment was in Milton, Florida, and she faced racism from locals who supported segregation. Harris stood her ground and demanded respect when disrespected and equality when treated unfairly. In 1994, the combat prohibition ban was lifted, and Harris became one of the first Sailors aboard a combatant warship. She served on USS Nimitz (CVN-68). During her Navy career, Harris completed seven Middle Eastern deployments to include Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom in direct combat support. Her command master chief (CMDCM) sea tour was aboard the guided missile destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG-91). Her last tour was as CMDCM of Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, leading 10,000 men and women in support of the command’s vision and mission. Over her career she would be among the first women embarked for duty on an Aircraft Carrier, and among the first to be advanced to Chief, Senior, and Master Chief Petty Officer.

YN2 Olivia J. Hooker - Coast Guard SPARs 1945-1946

"One of my most memorable experiences was graduation at Manhattan Beach from yeoman school when my seven billet buddies all won ratings. We had excellent training which helped me later to earn my way in graduate school at Columbia University."

Dr. Hooker was one of only 5 African American women who served in the US Coast Guard SPARS during World War II.

Col Merryl Tengesdal, USAF Ret. - Navy 1994-2004; Air Force 2004-2017

Born Merryl David in The Bronx, New York, she attended local schools and developed an early interest in flying and the space program. Her goal was to be an astronaut. She graduated from the University of New Haven with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering, one of three women to complete the program. She entered the Navy and was admitted to Officer Candidate School, where she was commissioned in 1994 after graduation. She began a career as a Naval Aviator by flying the SH-60B Seahawk Helicopter at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. During that time, she deployed on two long cruises and multiple short cruises to the Middle East, South America, and the Caribbean. After a three-year sea tour in helicopters, she became a T-34C and T-6A Instructor Pilot.

After completing T-6A Instructor Training, she became one of four Navy T-6A Instructors to train Navy and Air Force students at Joint Student Undergraduate Pilot Training at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. After David completed her Navy obligation, she continued her military career by transferring to the Air Force to fly the Lockheed U-2S Dragon Lady at Beale Air Force Base in Northern California. She was promoted to major and began flying the U-2 in 2004, deploying to multiple locations.

She is the first and only Black woman to fly the Air Force's U-2 spy plane, a specialized high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft, and one of five women and three Black people to be in the U-2 program. She shares the plane's nickname, "The Dragon Lady."

A heartfelt thank you is extended to each of the Military Women’s Memorial partners! As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, MWM thanks you for your support of the Memorial's important work for the past 25 years! 

Women, Peace, & Security Series

Beyond Firsts: Powering the Future Force

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we are honored to bring to our members and supporters a unique opportunity to learn first-hand from the Defense Department’s most senior women as they address one of the critical issues facing the Services today – recruiting and retaining the best and most competent personnel.  

MWM is proud to present Beyond Firsts: Powering the Future Force, the next in MWM’s Women, Peace, & Security Series. Headlining this panel discussion and fireside chat are Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks and four of the Services currently serving 4-star women – General Jacqueline D. Van Ovost, Commander, US Transportation Command; General Laura J. Richardson, Commander, U.S. Southern Command; Admiral Linda L. Fagan, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard; Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

Following the panel discussion, a special portrait reveal of Maj Gen Marcelite Harris will take place in honor of her memory and legacy as the first African American woman to become a general officer in the United States Air Force.

The live stream of the event will be free and open to the public.

Join us virtually on March 6th, 1:30 PM

Jessica Lynch: HER War, HER Story

On the eve of Operation Iraqi Freedom’s 20th anniversary and in honor of the brave men and women of the 507th who heroically and selflessly battled the enemy during the attack of March 23, 2003, the Military Women’s Memorial will host a commemorative dinner at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC. Delivering the keynote and her compelling first-hand story will be Purple Heart recipient, former 507th POW, and honored guest, Jessica Lynch. 

The evening's events will include an open bar reception, 3-course dinner, keynote speech delivered by former POW Jessica Lynch, as well as a remembrance ceremony & display by wear blue: run to remember. Guests will also receive a copy of Jessica’s book, I’m A Soldier Too: The Jessica Lynch Story.



Saturday, March 18th, 6–9 PM

Join us at the Military Women’s Memorial as we celebrate Women’s History Month with a special afternoon of commemoration and pride on Sunday, March 19th at 1 PM. Kicking off the afternoon is a spectacular Women’s History Month concert by the world-class women musicians of the US Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Chamber Players. The performance will feature instrumental and vocal presentations of music by many of America’s women composers.  

Following the concert, we will feature a special Women’s History Month commemorative program in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom. It will be our distinct honor to welcome Purple Heart recipient and former Iraq War POW Jessica Lynch to keynote a fireside chat about her compelling story of service, captivity, camaraderie, and recovery. The afternoon will conclude with light refreshments, conversation, and a book-signing opportunity for Jessica’s book, I’m A Soldier Too: The Jessica Lynch Story.  

This special afternoon program is free and open to the public. Reservations are required as seating is limited. 

Sunday, March 19th, 1 PM.

Amazon Military Hiring Event

Save the date! Join us for an evening of networking, collaboration, and resource sharing at the Military Women's Memorial.

Tuesday, March 21st, 5–8 PM.

Stay tuned for further details.

wear blue: run to remember

Piestewa Challenge Kickoff

The wear blue: run to remember Piestewa Challenge will kick off next month at the Military Women's Memorial, the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery.

The event will begin promptly at 5:15 PM with a Circle of Remembrance in honor of SPC Lori Piestewa and the 177 women who have given their lives in our continued combat operations around the globe, followed by a 1.77 mile run beginning at 6 PM. You can learn more about SPC Lori Piestewa's story Here.

March 23rd, 5 PM, at the Military Women's Memorial.

To learn more about wear blue: run to remember and the Piestewa Challenge, click below.

Operation Welcome Home

Commemoration of the Vietnam War

The Military Women’s Memorial (MWM), America’s only major memorial to honor all the nation’s servicewomen, is honored to be an active partner in the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War. Since 1987, we have proudly honored and told the stories of those women who served in Vietnam. Our exhibit gallery, chronicling the history of women’s service, features a major exhibition on women’s Vietnam-era service and has welcomed several million visitors to learn about these heroes. Our archive hosts the world’s largest collection of artifacts related to women’s service. With our robust oral history collection, research library, and repository of more than 305,000 women’s records of service, MWM is the premier resource for researchers, scholars, and educators, and is rich with servicewomen's Vietnam-related items.  

MWM invites Vietnam Veterans and guests, and members of the public throughout the 50th Commemoration to visit the Memorial and MWM tent at Camp Legacy to learn more about women’s service during the Vietnam War era; take part in special tours, programming, film screenings; and learn more about the contributions and service of the some 197,500 women who served during the era.  

MWM will be encouraging visitors to help servicewomen, living and deceased, take their rightful place in history by registering their service with the Memorial and adding their story of service to the rich, collective history of women’s service to the nation. MWM will also be accepting servicewomen’s artifacts and memorabilia from the theatre of war to be included in the archive. 

May 11–13, 2023

The National Mall, Washington, DC.

Visit https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/ for more information.

23k In 2023

Since 1989, more than 305,000 military women, past and present, have taken their rightful and visible place in history for all time by having their service registered with the Military Women’s Memorial. Though substantial, these registrations only represent some 10% of the women who have served our nation in peace and war, beginning with the American Revolution.  

The account of women’s service to the nation – their contributions, achievements, sacrifice, and patriotism - will never be complete until the stories of all 3 million women who have served are captured and preserved in the Military Women’s Memorial Register. 

To address this shortfall, we’ve launched an all-out effort to increase registrations by 23,000 in 2023– a fitting goal for the new year. January registrations totaled 413 – only about 21% of the monthly goal needed to reach 23,000 by the end of the year. Your help is critical to achieving this worthwhile effort – we can’t do it without you!

If you know of a woman, past or present, living or deceased, who has served our great nation in uniform, help her take her place in history for all time by registering her service with the Memorial – America’s only major national memorial to honor women’s service to the nation. Every registration you accomplish will enrich America’s history, our military history, and women’s history. 

Registration is easy and free.

Simply go to womensmemorial.org and click on Create an Account, or if you already have an account Log In, and follow the prompts. It’s that easy to start making history. We look forward to achieving this important goal with you. 

Happy Birthday, Brig. Gen. Wilma L. Vaught

March 15th is a special day for the Military Women’s Memorial. It’s our founding president’s birthday! Every year, those of us at the ‘house that Wilma built’ look forward to celebrating with her. This year, her 93rd, will be particularly special as we reflect upon her recent receipt of the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Air Force Association Lifetime Achievement Award; her induction into the National Defense University Hall of Fame; and the dedication of the Vaught Center at MWM. She is truly a national treasure. During her lifetime of service – nearly 30 years in the USAF and another 30 at the Memorial, she has made a tangible difference for so many and literally changed the face of monumental Washington.

Thank you, Brig. Gen. Vaught, for your service to our country and for giving America a place to say “thanks” and to pay tribute to the 3 million women who have served in the nation's defense.

To donate via our website, Click Here.

75 Years of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act – A Seachange for Military Women

Women Marines of the 2nd Supply Battalion stationed at the Navy Yard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, marching through the streets of Philadelphia during the Loyalty Day Parade, April 1953. National Archives

The 1948 Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, PL 625, was watershed legislation for America’s military and military women. Unlike World Wars I and II, where women served in a reserve status for the duration of the war (plus six months for WWII), PL 625 gave women the opportunity to serve in a Regular or Reserve status in peace and war – to make the military a career.  

Achieving the opportunity for Regular status did not come easily. While the initial bill quickly passed the Senate, it was soundly defeated in the House. The greatest objection was that it would jeopardize men's promotion, retention, and retirement opportunities, noting that it would be unfair to give women Regular commissions when many men who had fought during the war had been denied the privilege. Congresswoman Margaret Chase Smith, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and a major proponent of the bill, threw herself into the effort, appealing personally to Secretary of Defense Forrestal and military leaders, including General Eisenhower, Admiral Nimitz, and the like. Also doggedly working the issue were the women military leaders, WAC director Colonel Mary Hallaren, Navy Captain Joy Bright Hancock, and Marine Corps Women’s Reserve Major Julia Hamblet.  

Congresswoman Edith Nourse Rogers, sponsor of the 1942 legislation creating the WAAC, testified in support, arguing “There has been some story going around that officials of the Navy and Army did not want women taken into the Regular service ... . High ranking officers … have stated emphatically that … they would be much better off if women are taken into … the Regular services ... . No one expects the Army, Navy, or Air Force to operate as a reserve organization alone . . . [and] in every case there is a permanent body of Regulars ... . The women's components must be set up the same way.” Congressman Lyndon Johnson, echoing Mrs. Rogers, reminded the House that every major military leader had recommended regular status for women. 

In the meantime, outside pressures like the growing Cold War threat and a looming peacetime draft strengthened the case for passage of the legislation.  

Finally, on June 2, 1948, after months of wrangling between the Senate and House and scores of adjustments to the bill’s provisions, the House passed the legislation and President Truman signed it into law on June 12. While PL 625 included serious restrictions that would impact women’s service for more than 60 years, it nonetheless was a permanent ‘foot-in-the-door’ for military women and a crack in the glass ceiling restricting their service.  

Stay tuned for future issues of The Register in the approach to June 12, as we’ll be addressing various provisions of PL 625, Women Veterans Appreciation Day and the 75th Anniversary of this landmark legislation.  

Virginia tour dates

Made possible by Virginia Humanities:

US Army Women’s Museum, Fort Lee, VA

Jan 5th – April 30th, 2023

National Tour Dates:

National tour dates will be posted as information becomes available.

For sponsorship, please reach out to Development@womensmemorial.org.

Wreaths Out Day 2023

Thank you to all who supported Wreaths Out Day at Arlington National Cemetery last month!

Countless volunteers participated in the nationwide clean-up effort; and at Arlington National Cemetery, stopped by the Memorial for some hot chocolate and cider as a thank you for their service!

Each year, the Military Women's Memorial is honored to support Wreaths Across America in tribute to those who have fallen. Thank you for another great year of honoring America's service members.

The Military Women's Memorial Named

Preservica's Customer of the Quarter

Thank you to our partners at Preservica for highlighting MWM and our incredible Collections team as the Preservica featured users of the quarter! Click Here to read the article. Preservica is helping MWM succeed in making our collections secure and easily accessible to our community.

Click the link below to access our digital collection.

The Color of Freedom - Featured at the Army Women’s Museum  

The Color of Freedom, our interactive exhibition highlighting the impactful stories of servicewomen of color, is currently on display at the U.S. Army Women's Museum until April 30th! The exhibition is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Tuesday - Friday.



Since 2021, this exhibition has been impacting the minds and hearts of many at sites across the country. If you aren't able to pay a visit in person, check out the virtual exhibit below.

Support MWM

Shop our Amazon Wishlist

Please note that the AmazonSmile program will officially shut down on February 20th, 2023. MWM will still receive any donations made before the program closes, but after the close date, our Amazon Wishlist will be the only way to support MWM on Amazon.

Amazon is an easy way to support the Military Women's Memorial! Not only does it take a village to keep the efforts of the Military Women's Memorial going, but also needed are a great deal of operational materials. Check out our Amazon Wishlist below, where you can easily purchase and donate an item that the Memorial needs, directly from Amazon!

For more ways to support the Military Women's Memorial, visit the Ways to Give page on our website.

Visit the MWM Gift Shop at the Memorial or shop our online gift shop today!

Black History Month Books – 10% OFF

Books in MWM's collection featuring the stories of African American servicewomen are 10% OFF during Black History Month!

Whether celebrating Valentine's Day or Gal-entine's Day, these jewelry pieces are the perfect gift!

All MWM Jewelry is 10% OFF now through Valentine's Day

MWM Teddy Bears – 10% OFF All Month Long

The Military Women's Memorial 2023 Calendar

The 30th edition of the Military Women’s Memorial Calendar, Looking Ahead to the Next 25 Years, provides a sneak peek at future plans for the Memorial.

The Military Women’s Memorial is the only historical repository documenting the service of all women who’ve served in and with the nation’s military, beginning with the American Revolution. Located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, it features an education center, innovative and interactive exhibitions, a world-class collection of military women’s stories and artifacts, and engaging programs and events for all generations.

Here are a few additional ways you can continue to support our mission!