Called to Serve: A History of America’s Military Women

Brigadier General Vaught will address the more than 230 years of service to the nation of America’s military women. Her remarks will chronicle the steadfast commitment of the nearly 2.5 million women who have served since the American Revolution and uncover an extraordinary story of patriotism that has been lost to history. Participants will learn about Civil War nurses and soldiers who disguised themselves as men just to serve; World War I women who promised to support and defend the Constitution of the United States yet could not vote; the some 400,000 women who answered the call during World War II; and the many thousands of women since who have donned the uniforms of America’s military to protect our freedoms, yesterday and today. Guests will learn about this remarkable history and discover how women’s military service was pivotal to women’s advancement across the United States.

"Retired Air Force Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught, served in the United States Air Force for over 28 years, retiring in 1985 as one of the most highly decorated women in U.S. history. Throughout her career, General Vaught forged new paths and pioneered opportunities for the servicewomen who would follow. A Vietnam veteran, she was one of the few military women in Vietnam who were not nurses. When promoted to brigadier general in 1980, she was one of a handful of women in the world who had ever achieved that distinction. While her military accomplishments are extraordinary, General Vaught’s most lasting contribution will be her successful efforts related to the Women In Military Service For America Memorial where she was the driving force that built and now operates the $22.5 million memorial. Located at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, the Women’s Memorial is the nation’s only major memorial to pay tribute to the more than 2.5 million women who have served in the nation’s defense. Because of Wilma Vaught, the American people and visitors from around the world can learn of the courage and bravery of tens of thousands of American women who, like her, have pioneered the future.