Staying Fit
The Military Women’s Memorial is celebrating its 25th year in 2022 with special events honoring the more than 3 million women who have served the U.S. military since the Revolutionary War.
Women from across the country plan to convene Oct. 14–16 for a series of events including luncheons for the military branches, a candlelight honor walk and a ceremony honoring the memorial’s founder, retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught, 92, who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom earlier this year.
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Military Women’s Memorial President Phyllis Wilson hopes thousands convene for this year’s anniversary ceremony. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough are scheduled to speak about the work, purpose and value of women in the military.
“We’re part of America’s history. Women have defended this country since the Revolutionary War and many Americans don’t know that,” said Wilson. “It’s important for women who have served to stop diminishing the value of their service to this country.”
History of the memorial
The memorial’s structure, a white stone building with inset arches, was built in 1932 at Arlington National Cemetery, where it was originally meant to be a ceremonial entrance to the cemetery’s grounds. However, it was never put to use.
In the 1980s, while the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was being built, women who served during World War II and Korea began to seek a memorial for female veterans. This led Congress to pass legislation to authorize the creation of the women’s memorial, which was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. Over 10 years of fundraising, site selection and construction would follow until the memorial was officially dedicated Oct. 18, 1997.
The memorial today
While Arlington National Cemetery welcomes over 3 million visitors each year, the women’s memorial only receives about 200,000 people annually. “Certainly, most of America does not even know there is such a thing,” said Wilson.
In addition to its reflecting pool, 200-jet fountain and stunning views of Washington, the memorial also has an education center that documents stories and more than 8,000 artifacts from women soldiers.
