The Military Women’s Memorial Announces 25th Anniversary Events for October

2022 Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient and Military Women’s Memorial Founding President Brig. Gen. Wilma L. Vaught To Be Celebrated With Multi-Purpose Center Named in Her Honor

Arlington, Va. (September 12, 2022)— The Military Women’s Memorial (MWM), the nation’s only major memorial honoring all women’s military service, today announced the schedule of events to mark its 25^th Anniversary scheduled for Friday, October 14, through Sunday, October 16.

The events will bring together servicewomen from across the country to commemorate the anniversary and will include luncheons for the military branches, a public celebration at the Memorial, a Candlelight Honor Walk, and a ceremony honoring 2022 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient and MWM founding president Brig. Gen. Wilma L. Vaught with the dedication of the Memorial’s new multipurpose center in her name.

“The Military Women’s Memorial, located at the gates of Arlington National Cemetery, has stood for a quarter-century as a tribute to every woman who has, and will, serve our country and these events continue our year-long salute in celebration of our 25^th anniversary,” said Phyllis Wilson, MWM president and retired Army CW5. “We are grateful for the opportunity to honor and share the remarkable stories of military women who have served, beginning with the Revolutionary War, so they are properly and visibly recognized. We encourage visitors to the nation’s capital to make the Military Women’s Memorial and its education center a ‘must see’ stop.”

Dedicated October 18, 1997, the Military Women’s Memorial changed the face of monumental Washington. The  25^th Anniversary Celebration commemorates that milestone day for the nation’s military women.

Those interested in attending commemorative 25^th Anniversary events should visit womensmemorial.org to RSVP and secure tickets. The full list of events include:

Friday, October 14 – Marriott Marquis, Washington, D.C:

• Services Branch Luncheons: 12:00 p.m.
• Military Women’s Memorial Reunion and Reception: 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 15 – Military Women’s Memorial, Arlington, VA

• Anniversary Celebration Program: 11:00 a.m.
• Candlelight Honor Walk and Remembrance Program: 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 16 – Military Women’s Memorial, Arlington, VA

• Military Women’s Memorial Opens: 10:00 a.m.
• Dedication of the Brig. Gen. Wilma L. Vaught Center: 11:00 a.m.
• 25th Anniversary Open House: 12:00 p.m.

Media interested in covering the anniversary and/or attending the events are asked to contact Sean O’Leary at [email protected] to confirm attendance.

There are four, bi-partisan Honorary Co-chairs for the Memorial’s 25th Anniversary Congressional Tribute Committee: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY).

The Memorial and its 33,000 square-foot education center honors and shares the collective story of the estimated three million women who have served, beginning with the American Revolutionary through today. At the heart of the Memorial is the Register, an interactive database, which currently includes the individual stories of more than 301,000 women, that visitors can search and access to learn their stories. Women are encouraged to submit their own stories of service on-site at the Memorial or through the online portal.

For more information about the Military Women’s Memorial and to keep updated on anniversary events, visit womensmemorial.org or follow on social media via Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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About the Military Women’s Memorial

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.

The year 2022 commemorates the twenty-five years since the Military Women’s Memorial was dedicated and opened to the public, October 18, 1997 – still America’s only major memorial to honor and tell the stories of all of the nation’s women who have served in and with our military, beginning with the American Revolution. Find out more about us at womensmemorial.org.