Women Veteran appreSHEation Day

The Military Women’s Memorial in partnership with OptumServe Federal Health Service cordially invite you to a special program commemorating the 73rd Anniversary of the Women’s Armed Service Integration Act on June 12th at 10am at the Military Women’s Memorial.

The program will include remarks by Military Women’s Memorial President CW5 Phyllis J. Wilson, USA Ret.; OptumServe CEO and 43rd United States Army Surgeon General LTG Patricia D. Horoho, USA Ret.; Acting Assistant Under Secretary for Health for Support with the Veterans Health Administration at the Department of Veterans Affairs Ms. Deborah E. Kramer; and The Honorable Julia Brownley, United States House of Representatives.

In-person seats sold out. WATCH ONLINE HERE.

Signed into law June 12, 1948, the Women’s Armed Service Integration Act, PL 625, created a sea of change for America’s military and the women who chose to serve. This landmark legislation established a permanent, albeit limited, place for women in the nation’s military services. Its provisions would impact the way women would serve for the next seven decades.

Recognizing the importance of the law and servicewomen’s extraordinary contributions, eleven states have designated June 12 Women Veterans Day. Along with this service, however, comes the nation’s obligation to the health and well-being of military women, past and present. Addressing servicewomen’s health and that of all servicemembers is a matter of national trust as well as national defense and readiness.

This 73rd Anniversary event brings together and will showcase the remarkable contributions during peace and war of women who accepted the challenge to serve; the obligations of a grateful nation for their health and well-being; and the collective work of the government, military, veteran service organizations and the private sector to meet those obligations.

In commemoration of this anniversary, a special brooch has been designed by Ann Hand to be worn exclusively by women veterans of all eras and will be unveiled for the first time at the Military Women’s Memorial.

This program is part of a larger “Summer With The Arts: Healing, Freedom, Family” campaign that includes powerful and compelling exhibits by women veteran artists, storytelling, poetry, and comedy workshops, and virtual programs focused around the whole-person and integrated wellness.

Tickets are free. Face masks are required to enter Arlington National Cemetery and the Memorial. All visitors are required to go through Arlington National Cemetery’s security check-point before visiting the Memorial. Visitors ages 16 years and older are required to provide valid photo I.D. at the Cemetery’s security check-point. Parking is available at Arlington National Cemetery parking garage (credit card only). The Memorial is located two city blocks from the Arlington Cemetery Metrorail Station off the Blue Line.

About Summer With The Arts

The Military Women’s Memorial in collaboration with UnitingUS, Community Building Art Works and Armed Services Arts Partnership, offers summer-long creative programming for the military-affiliated community. Our Education Center continues to serves as a space for relevant conversation about the healing benefits of the arts through a powerful exhibit and events for visitors of all ages!

The presenting sponsor of Summer With The Arts is OptumServe.