March is Women’s History Month, and this year’s theme – Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories – is an incredibly timely one, as MWM seeks to gather the stories of each and every servicewoman who has served our country.

This month, we invite you to join us in honoring those women who have been active in telling and sharing the stories of America’s servicewomen. We are honored to participate in recognizing women across various communities who have broken barriers in efforts to bring the stories of women’s service to the nation to the forefront. 

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 – and happy Women’s History Month!

This year’s theme – Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories – seems tailor-made for the Military Women’s Memorial. Not only does it celebrate the thousands of servicewomen, past and present, who were part of public affairs teams, the Defense news agencies, combat camera, and the like, but it also shines a light on the importance of telling our stories of service for future generations to learn from and be inspired. I can only imagine a young girl’s dreams when she reads about the female Navy pilots who got to be a part of the Super Bowl flyover! 

This edition of MWM’s newsletter is full of stories pulled from the Memorial’s register, the interactive database that houses more than 305,400 women’s records of service – every one of them opportunities for inspiration and celebration. It’s the largest collection of servicewomen’s stories in the world!  

So while we are ‘celebrating women who tell our stories,’ let’s also celebrate the Memorial that tells our stories. One way to celebrate is to enrich the story of women’s service by registering your service or that of another woman who has served. And, even though registration is easy to do and free, each one will significantly enhance the collective story of all that women have done for our national defense. You can make a difference by being a part of our 23K for 2023 registration challenge.  

We are looking forward this month to welcoming four of the nation’s women 4-stars to the Memorial for a discussion titled “Beyond Firsts: Powering the Future Force,” our next program in the “Women, Peace and Security” series. Another special program will be with former POW Jessica Lynch, as well as a Women’s History Month concert performance by the Women’s Ensemble of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own. You’ll find the specifics about all of these and more as you read on.    

And let’s not forget that March also brings the 93rd birthday of our founding president, Brigadier General Wilma Vaught. You’ll find some suggestions on how to celebrate her 93 remarkable years, too.  

So, as always, there is lots going on at your memorial. Please join us in-person or virtually in celebrating Women’s History Month. 

I hope you enjoy this edition of The Register.  

New in the Military Women's Memorial Collection

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Women Military Chaplains, this month we are highlighting the collection of Navy chaplain Lieutenant Commander Diana (Van Buren) Lantz. The New Zealand native served in the Navy Chaplain Corps from 1994 to 2019 and served on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt during Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism.

Click the link below to read her story and view the items recently submitted to the Memorial's Collection.

March HERstory Spotlight Video

In recognition of March 29, Vietnam War Veterans Day, we are highlighting the story of Army LTC Aida Nancy Sanchez. In 1970, Sanchez deployed to Vietnam as a physical therapist, where she treated Americans, Vietnamese, and even the president of Cambodia.

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

“Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories,” the 2023 Women’s History Month theme, is especially reflective of the hundreds upon hundreds of women over the years who’ve worked as military journalists, photographers, radio and television broadcasters, videographers, public affairs specialists, combat camera members, and the like who’ve devoted themselves to capturing, preserving, and telling the stories of our military and the men and women who – every day – accomplish extraordinary things, protect our freedoms, and serve the nation in peace and war. 

Often unsung heroes, they’ve gone in harm’s way, served in grueling conditions, and uncovered unsavory truths to “get and tell the story.” They’ve captured our triumphs, large and small, and preserved our history for future generations to learn from and celebrate. The Military Women’s Memorial is delighted with this nationwide opportunity to celebrate our “story-telling sisters-in-arms” this Women’s History Month.

Click the link below to read three such stories pulled from MWM’s Register of the more than 305,000 stories of women who have served – stories of women who exemplify the 2023 Women’s History Month theme:

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! 

Thank You to MWM's Partner of the Month

Victor Hurtado

We are especially pleased to celebrate Victor Hurtado and his generous gift of time and talent in this month’s MWM Partner Spotlight. Victor, an Army veteran, has long been bringing together the enormous musical talent of America’s Veterans and Active Duty Servicemembers – and MWM and its guests have been a fortunate recipient and venue. The Colors of Freedom, a sextet of National Guardsmen, Army, Navy, and military veteran vocalists has generously performed at the Memorial for various events including our 4th of July celebration and the 25th Anniversary. Colors was initially formed to audition for the 2021 season of “America’s Got Talent.  

Most recently Victor has reconstituted and will be bringing to MWM 4TROOPS, a musical group that first came onto the Billboard charts in 2010 after being brought together and signed by Sony Music. 4TROOPS has toured all 50 states and appeared on countless shows including the Today Show, Good Morning America, Larry King, and game 4 of the 2010 World Series, to name a few. The 4TROOPS legacy continues with four incredibly talented Veterans and Servicemembers who will be performing for MWM during Women’s History Month. The coming months will also see the release of an album aptly titled 4TROOPS Change of Command with the moniker “The Troops have changed, the mission remains." Thank you, Victor, for all that you do for MWM, our Servicemembers, their families, and America!  

Women, Peace, & Security

Beyond Firsts: Powering the Future Force

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

Jessica Lynch: HER War, HER Story

Commemorative Dinner

On the eve of Operation Iraqi Freedom’s 20th anniversary, 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, a 3-course dinner; remarks by former Chairman of the joint Chiefs of Staff, retired USAF General Richard C. Myers; a keynote speech delivered by former POW Jessica Lynch; as well as a remembrance ceremony & display by wear blue: run to remember. Additionally, guests will enjoy a special performance by 4TROOPS, a musical group comprised of four incredibly talented Veterans and Service Members.



Saturday, March 18th, 6–9 PM

Jessica Lynch: HER War, HER Story

Fireside Chat

Join us at the Military Women’s Memorial as we celebrate Women’s History Month with a special afternoon of commemoration and pride.

The world-class women musicians of the US Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Chamber Players will kick off the afternoon's event, followed by a 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.

Sunday, March 19th, 1 PM

Admission is free, RSVP Required

Thank You to our Sponsors

Amazon Military Hiring Event

Join us for an evening of networking, collaboration, and resource sharing at the Military Women's Memorial, hosted by AmazonMilitary.

Tuesday, March 21st, 5–8 PM

wear blue: run to remember

Piestewa Challenge Kickoff

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

Join us as we gather promptly at 5:15 PM for 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 at 5 PM, at the Military Women's Memorial. RSVP below.

Operation Welcome Home

Commemoration of the Vietnam War

MWM 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.

We invite Vietnam Veterans and guests, and members of the public to visit the Memorial and MWM tent at Camp Legacy to learn more about women’s service during the Vietnam War era. Other events throughout the 50th Commemoration will include special tours, programming, and film screenings.

May 11–13, 2023

Mindful Memorial Day - Call for Volunteers

Help us honor the lives of more than 7,000 members of the US Armed Services at the Military Women’s Memorial. Click the button below for more information on how to volunteer.

23k in 2023 – Register Today!

We’ve launched an all-out effort to increase registrations by 23,000 in 2023– a fitting goal for the new year. 2023 registrations to date total 789 – only about 3.4% of the number 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! Learn more about MWM's National Registration Campaign below:

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.

General Vaught's 93rd Birthday 

March 15th, 2023

March 15th is a special day for the Military Women’s Memorial. It’s our founding president’s birthday! 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.



Wish General Vaught a Happy Birthday!

Cards and donations can be sent to the Military Women's Memorial office, 200 N Glebe, #400, Arlington, VA 22203. You can also give a gift online via Facebook or our website:

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.

In the lead-up to June 12, 2023, learn more about the need for the legislation and its positive impact on national defense, as well as the hard-fought battle over Regular status for women. Click below to read the full article:

Virginia tour dates

Made possible by Virginia Humanities:

US Army Women’s Museum, Fort Lee, VA

Now – May 5th, 2023

National Tour Dates:

Texas State Capitol, Austin, TX

TBD

MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History, Little Rock, AR

TBD



For sponsorship, please reach out to [email protected].

Navy Pilots make HERstory on Super Bowl Sunday

Seven female Navy pilots recently made history with the first-ever Super Bowl flyover piloted by an all-female crew!

In honor of 50 years of women flying for the U.S. Navy, the historic flyover following the national anthem featured an all-women team, including the navigators, flight officers, and the majority of the ground crew. Click the link below to read the full blog post on this monumental event:

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 U.S. military.

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

All Books – 10% OFF for Women's History Month!

Wilma Dolls are on Sale for the month of March

In honor of General Vaught's 93rd Birthday

Rosie the Riveter Day is March 21, 2023

Shop our collection of Rosie merchandise at our gift shop!

NEW Limited Edition WAC Coin

Quantities are limited – purchase yours before they sell out!

Support MWM

Shop our Amazon Wishlist

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.

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!