Warmer weather is not all we are celebrating in April here at MWM! In this edition of The Register, we recognize our invaluable volunteers in honor of National Volunteer Month, as well as lift up military children, as April is the Month of the Military Child. April is also Arab American Heritage Month, and MWM would like to recognize the contributions of Arab American women such as Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jasmine Moghbeli to our US military. Thank you for your dedicated service. 

As always, we invite you to join us in honoring America’s servicewomen through the variety of events and programs to come in the next few months. From Memorial Day to Women Veterans Day, there will be many opportunities to be a part of our mission of honoring each and every servicewoman who has served our country. 

Thanks to each and every member of this community for allowing us to continue highlighting the stories of our many servicewomen, past and present. 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,

Happy April! Can you believe we’ve already reached the 2nd quarter of 2023? We are excited to see the Honor Flights returning for the 2023 season and we are particularly pleased to have the opportunity to meet and celebrate the service of the women veterans who are aboard the flights. If you are involved in an Honor Flight as an honoree or guardian, please encourage a stop at the Military Women’s Memorial (MWM) – especially if women veterans are aboard. It’s America’s only memorial to tell their story.  

March was a great month for us as we celebrated women’s history – in particular military women’s history – with a variety of events and activities at the Memorial and around the country, several of which are recapped here in this edition of the Register. Women’s History Month also saw the Memorial featured in the March edition of The American Legion Magazine. Not only did it inform their vast readership about the Memorial, but it reinforced our efforts to encourage women to take their rightful place in history by registering their service with the Memorial. And, given the uptick in registrations for March, it worked! So, please keep the momentum going. Help us meet our 2023 goal of 23,000 new registrations – 23K in 2023.     

We’re also gearing up for the nation’s May 11-13 commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. We’ll be joining scores of organizations on the Mall to pay tribute to our Vietnam veterans, along with exhibits and activities at MWM. You’ll find more information about this later in the newsletter. Be sure to mark your calendars and stay tuned as well for MWM’s June 12, celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act and our annual Memorial Day program. 



While March was a month of celebration, it also saw the loss of a fierce advocate for military women, former US Congresswoman Patricia Schroeder, who was a member of the US House of Representatives for 24 years. She served on the House Armed Services Committee her entire tenure in the House. Among her many efforts in support of military women, she was instrumental in the 1993 repeal of that provision of the Women’s Armed Services Act that prohibited women from flying combat aircraft. Congresswoman Schroeder passed away on March 13 of complications from a stroke. Our condolences go out to her family.     

I hope you enjoy this edition of The Register.   

Mary “Berniece” (Dickey) Wiggs' Women’s Army Corps (WAC) service ring

New in the Military Women's Memorial Collection

MWM recently received the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) service ring of Mary “Berniece” (Dickey) Wiggs who served as a Tech4 in medical supply in Italy during World War II. In her Register entry, Ms. Wiggs writes, “I will never forget the air raids on the City of Naples, Italy... .” Donated to the Military Women’s Memorial Collection by Ms. Wigg’s daughter Rebecca, who attended the Dedication of MWM with her twin sister and their mother, the ring symbolizes the significance of two years of service to the nation, in a century of life.  

For Ms. Wiggs, like many servicewomen then and today, the GI bill was a means to further her education following her service. This ring is but one of many in our Collection. Each demonstrates a distinct pride and excellence of service that merited a special piece of jewelry. The Military Women’s Memorial extends our deepest appreciation to the Wiggs family for the donation of their mother’s service ring to the Military Women’s Memorial Collection.  

National Library Week

April 23-29, 2023

“There’s More to the Story,” is the theme for the 2023 National Library Week, sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA). Since 1958, National Library week has been celebrated during the last month of April in libraries of all types, including the Military Women’s Memorial Research Library. Libraries and women share a long history with the military. Beginning in World War I and as late as the 1970s, women—in the role of librarians—have been instrumental in supporting the recreation and education needs of servicemembers and their families.   

According to the American Library Association (ALA), “In 1917, ALA established the…War Service Committee to provide library service to the U.S. soldiers and sailors in America, France, and other locations.” Their accomplishments included raising more the $5 million in funds from public donors through two capital campaigns and “distributing between 7 and 10 million books and magazines and providing library collections to over 500 locations, including military hospitals.” In today’s dollars, this was an astounding accomplishment. Learn more about the Library War Service here.

Visit the Memorial’s onsite exhibits to see the librarian doll and Army Library Services patch pictured here. The items were donated to the MWM Collection by Army Special Services librarian, Josephine (Neil) Jones, who served the members of the Army and Navy in a career spanning multiple decades.   

“There’s More to the Story” of servicewomen and libraries in the Armed Forces! Follow along on our social media later this month for a glimpse into our other library-related Collections artifacts, and learn how the MWM Research Library and Collection are used by leading authors. 

March HERstory Spotlight Video

On April 25, 1898, the Spanish American War began. During the War, some 1,600 women worked for the Army as contract nurses, treating troops who contracted typhoid, malaria, and yellow fever. These nurses paved the way for the creation of the Army Nurse Corps in 1901, which enabled women to officially serve in the US military for the first time.

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 April's month of the Military Child, it seems fitting to highlight an important milestone story from the Register about military children and their military mothers. Also this month, on April 25, we mark the 125th anniversary of the start of the Spanish American War, a pivotal conflict that was the catalyst for women’s official service in the United States military. It, too, is a story captured in the Register.

Click the link below to read about two charter members who paved the way and made a significant difference for women who would follow and serve the nation in peace and war. 

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

York Flowers, a Washington, DC florist for over 80 years, has supported the Military Women’s Memorial with flowers, wreaths, and floral arrangements since our founding in 1997. More recently, they have provided breathtaking centerpiece arrangements for our 25th Anniversary Gala celebration and the 20th Anniversary of the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom dinner and fireside chat with Jessica Lynch.

In 1942, Dave Denaburg and his wife Bertha started their business and opened York Flowers in Washington, DC. They designed elaborate wedding designs and everyday flowers and were known for their beautiful floral arrangements and friendly and attentive customer service. York Flowers quickly became a popular destination for local residents and businesses. They moved from New Hampshire Ave, its original location by the York Theatre and York Drug Store, to upper Georgia Avenue NW DC in the 1960s. 

The Denaburg family has always been committed to giving back to the community. In the 1970s, York Flowers began donating flowers to local homeless shelters and hospitals. They are also involved in the evolving local communities, supporting social causes, like Friendship Place, an organization based in Tenleytown serving unhoused individuals in the District; Broad Futures, a program that helps neurodiverse individuals to see and live up to their full potential; the Military Women's Memorial; and many more.

National Volunteer Month 2023

April is National Volunteer Month, and MWM could not be more grateful to each and every one of the volunteers that makes what we do possible, year in and year out. From large-scale events to Honor Flights and group tours, MWM volunteers serve in a variety of roles in support of our important mission. 

Always eager to support the Memorial, our experienced volunteers are a dedicated group, serving at least 8 hours per month with MWM. They welcome visitors to the Memorial daily, providing them with information on the background, history, and mission of the Memorial. Volunteers also help visitors search for servicewomen in our Register, and assist in the creation of new servicewoman profiles. 

The Memorial is also regularly supported by community volunteer groups that make our mission possible and help with the heavy lifting for large-scale projects such as preparation for our renovation and our recent library transformation.

Team Rubicon and The Mission Continues support MWM's major renovation project in 2022.

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!

Thank You, MWM Ambassadors!

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.

Ambassadors participate in numerous speaking engagements and community events, and are a major part of our nationwide outreach. In 2022 alone, MWM Ambassadors participated in 183 events, giving 1,333.5 hours of their time and reaching more than 280,735 participants with information about the Memorial and women’s service to our nation. Currently, we have 111 Ambassadors, with more joining the team in the near future. 

Achieving MWM’s mission is impossible without the hard work and dedication of our Ambassador team. They bring the spirit and mission of the Memorial to every state, ensuring our servicewomen and women veterans are honored, remembered, and celebrated, and their service is preserved in their Memorial and their personal stories of service are told as examples of perseverance, resilience, and leadership. 

Operation Welcome Home

The 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War

MWM is honored to be an active partner in the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War. Since 1997, 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 MWM events throughout the 50th Commemoration will include a panel discussion, Memorial exhibits & tours, and film screenings.

May 11–13, 2023



Be Part of a Special Tribute

& learn more - click below.

Save The Date - MWM's Memorial Day Ceremony

May 29th, 2023 at 3PM

Join us for our 26th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony. Stay tuned for a link to RSVP in May's newsletter. 

Save The Date - Women Veterans Day

June 12th, 2023

Women Veterans Day, June 12, is synonymous with the Military Women’s Memorial. It is 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.

This year, 2023, is the 75th anniversary of this game-changing legislation. Mark your calendar for a special June 12th program, and plan to join fellow servicemembers and honored guests at the Military Women’s Memorial – where the nation honors military women’s service.  

Celebrate the Month of the Military Child

April 2023

Check out the Military Child Education Coalition's Month of the Military Child resource toolkit for information on how you and your community can celebrate military children this April!

Don't forget to wear purple on April 21st for Purple Up Day in honor of military children! Purple symbolizes the joint environment of the military, combining all of the service branch colors into one.

Team MWM Celebrates Purple Up Day, April 2022

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.

23k in 2023 – Register Today!

We’ve launched an all-out effort to increase registrations by 23,000 in 2023. Registrations to date total 1,824.

During Women's History Month, registrations more than doubled since last month's edition of the newsletter. Today, at 7.9% 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:

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.

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.  

This month, read about the provisions of the legislation that outlined the rules and regulations that governed women's service.

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].

Women, Peace, & Security

Beyond Firsts: Powering the Future Force

We were honored to host military women from every service and across generations at MWM last month for an historic event titled “Beyond Firsts: Powering the Future Force." The event featured the four currently serving four-star women: Admiral Linda L. Fagan, Commandant, US Coast Guard; General Jaqueline D. Van Ovost, Commander, US Transportation Command; General Laura J. Richardson, Commander, US Southern Command; Admiral Lisa Franchetti, Vice Chief of Naval Operations.

Moderated by CBS Evening News Anchor and Managing Editor Norah O’Donnell, the discussion highlighted the importance of recruiting and keeping the best and most competent personnel in all sectors of the military and served to provide significant personal and professional development for all ranks and services. Watch the CBS News story about the event below.

Women's History Month Program with Former POW Jesica Lynch

MWM would like to extend our gratitude to Jessica Lynch for sharing her remarkable story of bravery and perseverance at the Military Women's Memorial this past month.

20 years after the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, MWM had the honor of hosting Jessica Lynch for a commemorative dinner and fireside chat. The events included special remarks from former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard B. Myers, retired Brig. Gen. Carol Eggert, and West Virginia Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito. Daniel Gade, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services and the Honorable Kathleen Murphy, Virginia House of Delegates made a special presentation to Jessica Lynch.

Guests also enjoyed musical performances from 4TROOPS and the world-class musicians of The US Army Band "Pershing's Own," and special remembrance displays by wear blue: run to remember.

We extend a heartfelt “thank you” to our generous sponsors for helping to bring Jessica to us and for making these extraordinary programs possible.

Photo Credit: Veterans Affairs Photographer Gene Russell 

Department of Veterans Affairs Announces New Mission Statement at MWM

It was our distinct honor to host the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Honorable Dennis McDonough, and other VA officials for the announcement of a new, gender-inclusive mission statement for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Watch the recording of the event below.

General Vaught's 93rd Birthday 

Team MWM loved celebrating General Wilma Vaught's 93rd Birthday last month on March 15th! Thanks to all who wished General Vaught a Happy Birthday with a donation to MWM in her honor- nearly $10,000 to date.

Click the link below to make a belated birthday donation on Facebook or our website by April 15th.

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services Women Veterans Pinning Ceremony

On March 20^th, Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin kicked off Virginia Women Veterans Week with a pinning ceremony at the Military Women’s Memorial.

Women veterans are the fastest-growing segment of our Nation’s and Virginia’s veteran population. As the Nation’s only major memorial to honor and tell the stories of all women who have served our Nation, MWM was honored to be the venue for this event.

Joining this special pinning ceremony to recognize and celebrate Virginia women veterans were the Honorable Craig Crenshaw, Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs; Daniel Gade, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services; the Honorable Kathleen Murphy, Virginia House of Delegates; Phyllis Wilson, Military Women’s Memorial President; and other honored guests. Following remarks, distinguished guests presented each Virginia woman Veteran in attendance with a special pin.

The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is a state government agency with more than 40 locations across the Commonwealth of Virginia, assisting veterans and their families in filing claims for federal veterans benefits; as well as connecting veterans and family members to services including behavioral healthcare, housing, employment, education, and more. DVS also operates the Virginia War Memorial, the Commonwealth’s tribute to Virginia’s men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice from World War II to the present. For more information, please visit www.dvs.virginia.gov/.

CDR Erin Cardinal, USN (Ret), left, MOAA’s program director for Transition Services and Family Programs, and CAPT. Pat Williams, USN (Ret), center, MOAA’s program director for Engagement and Transition Services, speak with attendees during the March 21 event.

Amazon Networking Event

MWM was delighted to host a night of networking and resource sharing at the Memorial last month in collaboration with AmazonMilitary and the Military Officers Association of America, the event's featured organization. Read more about the evening's events at the link below.

The wear blue: run to remember Piestewa Challenge Kick-off at MWM

On March 23rd, members of the wear blue: run to remember community and supporters gathered at the Military Women’s Memorial for the first day of the Piestewa Challenge, an annual event honoring the 177 Servicewomen we have lost during the Global War on Terrorism since 9/11.

The Challenge is named after PFC Lori Piestewa. Killed on March 23, 2003, she was the first female combat casualty of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The participants, to include two Gold Star Parents of the honored Servicewomen, joined together on the Memorial’s Plaza to pay tribute to each of the women by speaking their names. To say their names for all to hear reminds each of us of their service and their story and keeps them forever present. As part of the ceremony, the group walked together, taking meaningful, purposeful steps in memory of the fallen and in celebration of their lives, and shared in a moment of silence after a special blessing.

It is a privilege for the Military Women’s Memorial to partner with wear blue: run to remember and support the Piestewa Challenge, as there is no more fitting place than the Memorial to come together to reflect, remember, and honor the service and sacrifice of our Nation’s Servicewomen.

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.

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

Children's Books – 10% OFF

for Military Child Month

Stay Dry During April Showers!

MWM Umbrellas in a variety of colors

Shop MWM Logo, Charter Member pins, and Member Pins in our online Gift Shop!

Show Your AppreSHEation

AppreSHEation T-Shirt

#appreSHEation Sticker

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!