The County’s Commission on Veterans Affairs has compiled a virtual tribute list of women veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed and Uniformed services living in or from Montgomery County to celebrate Women Veterans Day. The alphabetized list can be found here.
The Commission has also prepared a physical display at the Silver Spring Civic Building, 1 Veterans Pl., Silver Spring.
Women Veterans Day, recognized in several states but not yet nationally, marks the signing of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act on June 12, 1948. This pivotal legislation allowed women to become permanent members of the U.S. military for the first time. Before this act, women were mainly limited to serving as nurses.
“As we celebrate Women Veterans Day, let us recognize not only the collective bravery and sacrifice of women in uniform, but also the unique journey of each individual who has served,” Anneke Vandenbroek, vice chair of the Commission on Veterans Affairs, said.
The day is not only to honor the legislative anniversary but also aims to acknowledge the service and sacrifices of women veterans.
Michael Wilson, Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and chair of the Commission on Veterans Affairs, explained that they created the tribute to recognize the vital role women have played in military campaigns like the Revolutionary War and World War II.
There are currently 26 tributes posted on the website, but Wilson hopes to see this number continue to grow.
Women veterans can share their stories via PDF or Google form. Any further questions can be sent to MCCVA@montgomerycountymd.gov.
