Thank you for joining us for this edition of The Register, the Military Women’s Memorial monthly e-newsletter. You’ll find information about members, Memorial updates, upcoming events and activities, foundation actions, important dates in servicewomen’s history, our donors and volunteers, and so much more. Its our way of keeping you informed, not only about the Memorial, but of the many opportunities to be a part of our mission of honoring each and every one of America’s servicewomen.

 

Don’t forget to help an eligible woman, past or present, take her rightful and visible place in history by registering her service, today. We hope you enjoy this edition of The Register

REGISTER YOUR SERVICE

A Message From The President

Greetings from the Military Women’s Memorial and happy May. This is a great month for celebrations –not the least being Military Appreciation Month, the month Congress designated to give the nation the opportunity to publicly show appreciation for our servicemembers, past and present. I’m extending a heartfelt thanks on behalf of the entire MWM staff to our fellow servicemembers for the important role you have played in the history and development of our country. Thank you!


On October 7, 1975, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-106, allowing women to be admitted to America’s Service Academies. That landmark legislation gives us another reason to celebrate, as this month marks the 43rd anniversary of the first women to graduate from those institutions. Thanks to each of you for being a trailblazer and for your patriotism, grit, leadership and contributions to our military.


This month we also recognize the contributions and influence of Jewish Americans and Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the nation by observing Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We’re honored to showcase two extraordinary MWM members from these celebrated communities in our Stories from The Register section.


May is, indeed, a month to celebrate America’s military. From May 11-13 in DC, we’ll be commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. There’s more about this national celebration later in the newsletter as well as information about MWM’s 26th annual Memorial Day program.


With warm weather upon us, you probably have vacation on your mind. Many of you have asked about the April 2024 Women Veterans Cruise. Well, plans are taking shape nicely over at Moore Travel. For more information about the cruise and to reserve your spot, contact Moore Travel.


Lastly, but certainly not least, Sunday, May 14, is Mother’s Day, the day we set aside to honor our mothers and grandmothers for their contributions to our families, communities, and society. Don’t forget to wish a mother a wonderful day. She deserves it.


Wow! May truly is a month of celebrations. I hope you enjoy everyone of them as well as this edition of The Register   

New in the Military Women's Memorial Collection

A Family Affair



Military service was a tradition in the Doyle family. Ann Doyle was a nurse assigned to the general hospital in Gettysburg, PA, during the Civil War. During World War II, five of the nine Doyle children served in the military. Frances (Doyle) Sewell joined the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), her sister Marjorie joined the Cadet Nurse Corps, brothers John and Edwin served in the Army, brother James served in the Marine Corps, and even her sister-in-law Lucille served in the US Navy WAVES. 

News clipping from The Home News, Bronx, NY, date unknown.

Frances worked in the photo lab at Topeka Army Air Field, Topeka, KS, where one her jobs included taking photos of air crews before they were deployed overseas. Frances’ niece, Maureen Crain, says that her aunt recalled the job being difficult as Frances knew that some of the men would never come home. A feature piece about the photo lab in the September 21, 1945, issue of “The Gremlin” newsletter from Topeka AAF includes a photo of Frances at work.

The Gremlin newsletter, Vol. 3, No. 41, September 12, 1945, Topeka Army Air Field, Topeka, KS.

Frances was so proud of her service that she carried her miniature Honorable Discharge certificate in her purse until her death in 2020 at the age of 96.

The Military Women’s Memorial extends our deepest appreciation to Maureen Crain for her donation of her aunt Frances (Doyle) Sewell’s WAC memorabilia and her aunt Marjorie Doyle’s Cadet Nurse Corps memorabilia to the Military Women’s Memorial Collection.

May HERstory Video

Dr. Mylène Huynh sits down with MWM President Phyllis Wilson to discuss her service in the United States Air Force, how her childhood in Vietnam during the war impacted her choice to join the Air Force, and how her early exposure to her parent’s medical background influenced her current medical practice.

WATCH and SUBSCRIBE

Stories From The Register

The month of May recognizes the contributions and influence of Jewish Americans and Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the nation.


In recognition of Jewish American Heritage Month, we are honored to feature the registration profile of Chaplain (Maj) Sarah Schechter, the first and only female rabbi in the US Air Force. A combat veteran, she has deployed seven times.

Retired Army Sergeant Major Cielito Pascual-Jackson’s service to the nation is honored and showcased in celebration of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans heritage. A combat veteran, she is a soldier’s soldier and an MWM Charter Member.

It is an honor to showcase the remarkable stories of these MWM members during this nationwide opportunity to celebrate their heritage.

Thank You to our Corporate Donors, Partners, and Supporters!

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! 

VIEW MWM'S PARTNERS

Thank You to MWM's Partner of the Month

Before there was barbecue, founders Bill Kraus and Steve Newton, fueled by love of country, started with a desire to support the military, police, firefighters, and first responders. It wasn't until later that they decided to go into the barbecue industry. On September, 11, 2011, on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that changed the US forever, the first Mission BBQ opened in Glen Burnie, MD.


The business began to take hold and a year later, they opened a second restaurant, and more quickly followed. Now, patrons across Maryland and Virginia enjoy their fare while taking in the many patriotic tributes, adorning each restaurant's walls, to those who serve.


Among the many events and activities Mission BBQ has supported at the Memorial, the most recent was a special Virginia Department of Veterans Services event. Women Veterans in the state of Virginia were honored with a special pinning ceremony and treated to a delicious dinner catered by Mission BBQ.


MWM is grateful to Mission BBQ for its continuing support of the Memorial, our mission, and our servicewomen. Their work embodies patriotism and love of country, and we are extremely proud to stand with them.

MWM Volunteers


Our volunteers serve in a variety of roles in support of the Memorial. Always eager to help, our volunteers are a dedicated group. Every day, they roll up their sleeves and do whatever it takes to accomplish the mission.


Farewell and Best Wishes


Sara Higgins has been a faithful volunteer with MWM since June 2021. She has provided a total of 134 volunteer hours, to include help with Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies, Honor Flights, visitor services, audio visual and IT troubleshooting... always ready and willing to do whatever needs to be done and whatever we ask of her.


Sara is an active duty Army officer and has been selected for promotion to Major, effective this summer. She leaves us in May for her next military assignment at the Army Command and General Staff College.


We are grateful to Sara for her dedication to the Memorial and our mission. There is no doubt she will be a great MWM advocate wherever her military career takes her. We wish her well and look forward to checking in on her and following her career. There are no words that can express our gratitude, Sara. You will be greatly missed.

A HUGE thank you to our volunteers for their support and excellent representation of the Military Women’s Memorial. Click the link below to learn more about volunteering with MWM!

LEARN MORE

MWM Ambassadors

On Duty


MWM Ambassadors form our day-to-day grassroots connection to women veterans across the United States. They support MWM’s mission by encouraging military women, past and present, to register their story of service in the Memorial’s Register.

Pictured:


MWM Ohio Ambassador Judy Pearson represented MWM at a recent Cincinnati Vietnam Veterans Tribute. The Cincinnati Reds team mascots stopped by the table! Sadly, neither qualified to be registered. However, Judy did a great job registering some of our women veterans.


Agnes ("Aggie") Lewis, retired Army Nurse Corps lieutenant colonel (WWII - Germany, Korea, Vietnam), celebrated her 101st birthday in April! This photo is from a delightful visit with MWM Iowa Ambassador Charlene Gooch. What a beginning to her 102nd revolution around the sun!


MWM Ambassador Jill Henry and Honorary Ambassador Gordon Herbert represented MWM at a recent Veteran Stand Down in Springfield, Illinois.

Operation Welcome Home

The 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War

Welcome Home! A Nation Honors our Vietnam Veterans and Their Families! 


The Military Women’s Memorial is proud to be among the many organizations supporting the May 11-13 national commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Based here in DC on the National Mall, the 3-day event honors and celebrates the service of America’s Vietnam Veterans and their families and is packed full of spectacular events and activities.


More than 265,000 women served during the Vietnam War era; some 11,000 were assigned in the SE Asia theater of operation and 8 women lost their lives during the conflict. We’ll be telling their stories and more at the MWM tent at Camp Legacy every day from 10 AM to 6 PM. We’ll also be hosting a special panel discussion with some of those women from 4-5 PM, May 11 at Camp Legacy’s JFK Rally Point. A similar nurses panel is scheduled for 1-2 PM, May 12. In addition, special exhibits about the women who served during the Vietnam era will be featured at MWM. Check the Vietnam Commemoration website for links to livestream and taped events. 


We hope you will plan to join us for some or all of this national commemoration of our Vietnam Veterans and their families. While you are there, drop by the MWM tent to learn more about our Vietnam servicewomen, register yourself or another eligible woman, tell your story of service, record a tribute shoutout, meet your sisters in service, and more. We look forward to seeing you! 


May 11–13, 2023



Be Part of a Special Tribute

& learn more - click below.

LEARN MORE

The Vietnam War Commemoration Committee is hosting a Gold Star Family Film Screening event on May 10th. This is a full day event with film screenings and discussion throughout the day. Guests are invited to stay after the film screenings for cookies and conversation.


Tickets are free. To learn more about the event and reserve tickets, click on the link below.

RESERVE TICKETS

WE SALUTE HER

Washington Mystics

May 23, 7PM

Join the Military Women's Memorial at the Washington Mystics game for WE SALUTE HER night as we honor our military women and cheer on the Mystics. Our MWM team will be at the game for this special tribute. We'll also have an MWM table honoring our servicewomen, showcasing the Memorial, and encouraging servicewomen to register their service.

GET TICKETS

MWM Memorial Day Ceremony

Join us on May 29 for the Military Women’s Memorial 26th Annual Memorial Day program. This observance is one of the major Memorial Day events in the National Capital Region. Free and open to the public, the event includes formal military honors, remarks from current and former servicewomen from each of the military services, and a keynote address. As in previous years, members of the public are invited to join in the personal tribute segment of the program.  


We are honored this year to have Ms. Brenda “Sue” Fulton, the VA’s Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, deliver the keynote. As May is the 43rd anniversary of women graduating from the nation’s service academies, it seems particularly fitting to have Ms. Fulton with us. Among her many accomplishments and trailblazing activities, she is a member of the first class of women to graduate from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

RSVP TODAY

Call To Serve: 75 Years Recruiting Women

June 6, 2023, 1PM EDT

Virtual

To help celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, please join the Military Women's Memorial and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library for a virtual event exploring the history of recruiting women into military service. The virtual event will feature a presentation highlighting recruiting posters, photographs, and recruitment campaign slogans which will be followed by a moderated panel discussion.

REGISTER TO ATTEND

MWM Women Veterans Recognition Day

Celebration

June 12th, 2023, 2PM - 5PM

Women Veterans Recognition Day, June 12, is synonymous with the Military Women’s Memorial – the place to be to honor and celebrate America’s military women on this historic day – the day that, with the stroke of the President’s pen, granted women a permanent place and an opportunity for a career in the nation’s military. Plans are underway here at MWM for the 2023 celebration of that special day. Mark your calendars and plan to join us for a festive afternoon of music, recognition, celebration, food, fun, and appreciation for the some 3 million women patriots who’ve served this nation so proudly and well.


Celebrated each year on June 12 in recognition of the anniversary of the 1948 Women’s Armed Services Integration Act signing, 2023 is particularly significant as it is the 75th anniversary of that groundbreaking legislation for America’s military women. On this special day designated to honor America’s military women, past and present, come celebrate with us!


To learn more about Women Veterans Recognition Day, click here.


Reserve your tickets today!

RESERVE TICKETS

MWM July 4th & Fireworks

Celebrate with Us!

Treat yourself this Independence Day with a world-class, private 4th of July extravaganza at the Military Women’s Memorial. Great food, fun, and the best views of Washington DC’s spectacular fireworks display.


Relax, enjoy, and celebrate in the splendor of a leading national memorial - an experience you and your guests will never forget. 4th of July guests enjoy a delicious catered buffet, open bars, live music, and family-friendly activities for all ages.


Elevate your evening with our special VIP Experience which, in addition to the event offerings, indulges you and 11 of your guests with exclusive access and amenities throughout the evening. From a champagne welcome to an exclusive VIP lounge to topping off the evening with viewing the DC fireworks display from reserved seating - there is no better way to celebrate!

TICKETS

Mindful Memorial Day

Sign Up and Volunteer

The Military Women's Memorial is honored to host the Fallen Warrior Ribbon Memorial alongside our partners Armor Down for the 10th consecutive year. Help us recognize the more than 7,000 members of the US Armed Services who have lost their lives in service to the nation since September 11th. Click the button below for more information on how to volunteer.

LEARN MORE

23k in 2023 Register Today!

We’ve launched an all-out effort to increase registrations by 23,000 in 2023. Registrations to date total 2,428.


Today, at 10.5% of our 2023 campaign goal, your continued help remains critical to this worthwhile effort.


We can't do it without you!

Learn more about MWM's National Registration Campaign below:

LEARN MORE

Registration is easy and free.

If you know of a woman, past or present, living or deceased, who has served our great nation in uniform, help her take her rightful and visible 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.

REGISTER TODAY

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

The 1948 Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, PL 625, was a major milestone in the history of women’s service to the nation. For the first time, women, other than nurses, would have a permanent place in America’s military. Prior to this, women were essentially “temporary help” during the crisis, then sent home when the trouble was over – no longer needed.  


Read more this month about the provisions included in this groundbreaking legislation that impacted women's service for nearly seven decades.

READ THE ARTICLE
Upcoming Tour Dates:

Virginia tour dates

Made possible by Virginia Humanities:


US Army Women’s Museum, Fort Lee, VA

Now – May 5th, 2023

National Tour Dates:


Dallas, TX

TBD


MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, Little Rock, AR

June 17 - Early September



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

TOUR SCHEDULE

Honor Flight of Southern Colorado

Standing Proud

One of the many joys of the work we do is welcoming Honor Flights from across the nation to the Memorial. It is a privilege to work together with the Honor Flight Network to ensure our veterans, especially our women veterans, receive the appreciation they so deserve and have the opportunity to visit Washington, DC, and their memorials. This year, we have 100 Honor Flights scheduled to visit MWM, with more reservations being made every day.


On April 21st, we were elated to welcome Honor Flight of Southern Colorado to the Memorial. 30 women veterans along with coordinators made up this ALL-WOMEN Honor Flight. This was the 16th mission from Southern Colorado, but the first of all women. Our very own Colorado MWM Ambassador, Amy Demenge, was part of this special visit.


There is nothing quite like watching women veterans experience their Memorial. Oftentimes, it is overwhelming as they take it all in - the enormity of the contributions of all military women to our nation and the importance of their very own service all captured harmoniously in a singular place that has the sole purpose of honoring and telling their stories of service, sacrifice, dedication, and perseverance. The range of emotions often catch them off-guard - from smiles to tears and everything in between. Everyone experiences the Memorial in a unique way, but there is one emotion that every woman veteran exudes when she visits - PRIDE! You can see it in her smile, posture, cadence, and speech. These are our favorite days, and the Southern Colorado Honor Flight visit was definitely one of them!

Ft Gregg-Adams

On April 27th, 2023, Ft. Lee was renamed in a ceremony honoring two American heroes - Lt. Gen. Arthur Gregg and Lt. Col. Charity Adams. A historic event, redesignating the Army post as Ft. Gregg-Adams is an enduring tribute to these two extraordinary U.S. Army trailblazers. MWM president, Phyllis Wilson, was honored to be in attendance to celebrate these pioneers.


Lt. Col. Charity Adams (Earley) is one of our servicewomen trailblazers who we honor and whose story of service we share through our educational resources at the Memorial.

To learn more about Lt. Col. Charity Adams, watch our HERstory Spotlight about her service.

WATCH & SUBSCRIBE

Featured in photo: PenFed board member Sandra Patricola, MWM president Phyllis Wilson, PenFed Afghanistan Resettlement Program Manager and Army veteran Rebekah Edmondson, and former Female Tactical Platoon Commander Mahnaz Akbari. Photo Credit: PenFed.

Military Appreciation Night

at the National's Game

Play ball! The Military Women’s Memorial was thrilled to join Pen Fed Credit Union at Washington Nationals Park for Military Appreciation Night on April 6th. Phyllis Wilson, MWM president, participated in an all-star lineup of inspiring women, including many who served in Afghanistan. The Memorial is grateful for its longstanding partnership with PenFed, and is honored to work alongside the Pen Fed team in support of their unique program to resettle 44 Afghan women warfighters who served in the elite Female Tactical Platoon (FTP) assisting U.S. forces in the fight against the Taliban.


The Afghan women of the FTP are the largest contingent of foreign-born women to have fought and served alongside members of the US Armed Forces - their stories are preserved, and their contributions are honored, through the Military Women’s Memorial collections and Register of servicewomen.

Square Foot Campaign

Honor a Servicewoman with the Perfect Gift


Women Veterans Recognition Day, June 12th, is the perfect day to honor a servicewoman, past or present. There is no more appropriate way to recognize her service, contributions, and commitment to the nation than with an honorary square foot of her Memorial, the only national memorial that honors her service.


With your donation, she will become an honorary "owner" of the Memorial and receive an exclusive Military Women’s Memorial ‘Square Foot Society’ membership coin and certificate of recognition, which arrive neatly packed in an MWM box.

Pictured: The Private John Grady Chapter of the North Carolina Society, Daughters of the American Revolution said YES to the chapter joining the Square Foot Society! Regent Bonnie Siegner and Carolyn Comfort showing off their membership. Thank you for leading the way!

Calling all Military, Veteran, Patriotic, and Women’s Organizations

Local chapters, posts, and clubs of various military, veteran, patriotic, and women’s organizations across the nation are using MWM’s Square Foot Campaign to honor their servicewomen members, past and present. Meaningful, affordable, enduring and visible, there is no grander way to recognize her service, contributions, and commitment to the nation than with an honorary square foot of her memorial

GIFT A SQUARE FOOT

Custom Quilt Sweepstakes

A stunning, hand-made quilt has been created as a visual depiction of the history of America’s servicewomen – and it could be yours!


The winner of this custom-made quilt will be announced on June 12, 2023 – the 75th Anniversary of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act, the landmark legislation allowing women a permanent place, and a career, in the US military.


Last day to enter is June 5th!

ENTER TO WIN

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

Mother's Day & 

Women Veterans Recognition Day

Gifts

Mother’s Day and Women Veterans Recognition Day (June 12) are right around the corner. What better way to honor the women in your life than with a timeless piece of jewelry? Along with the popular pin and brooch, we are excited to offer a new necklace in the “Women of Valor” Collection by Ann Hand, the nation’s jeweler! 

SHOP NOW

May is Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month. Check out these book titles.

Every Day Is A Gift
  Fearless Flights  

Ready for Summer?

Stay hydrated this summer with our MWM water bottles and drink containers. Our picnic blanket packs up neatly and is great for a day at the beach, afternoon picnic, concert, or sporting event.

PICNIC BLANKET
DRINK CONTAINERS

National Poppy Day

The Friday before Memorial Day (This year, May 26th) is National Poppy Day. The red poppy represents the remembrance of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to the nation .

SHOP NOW

Support MWM

Shop our Amazon Wishlist

Thank you to our amazing village of MWM members, and supporters who have purchased items from our MWM Amazon Wishlist. We have received books for our library, copy paper, wheelchairs, plastic tablecloths for events, office supplies, and more. Not all packages have arrived with a gift slip stating the name of the purchaser, so we apologize if we have not contacted you personally. Your generosity makes an impact on how we operate and accomplish our mission, every day. Thank You!


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 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!

Most-Needed Items


  • Copy paper
  • Printer toner cartridges
  • Plastic tablecloths
  • Bubble mailers
  • Sheet protectors for 3-ring binders
  • cleaning supplies
  • event supplies
DONATE SUPPLIES TO MWM

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

Visit our Career Opportunities page to view our current openings:
Click the button below
to learn more about volunteering with MWM:
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Don't forget to keep your MWM account current!
Keeping your email and mailing addresses up-to-date allows us to provide you with the latest MWM program updates and information.

Please be sure to use a personal email address
for your MWM account.
LEARN MORE

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!

CONNECT WITH US
Facebook  Instagram  Linkedin  Youtube  
VISIT OUR WEBSITE