Honoring Women’s History Month
The Declaration of Independence recognized the United States as an independent nation, declaring that “all men are created equal.” Unfortunately this clause meant that “all white males with property” were created equal.
The Women’s Suffrage Movement began decades before the Civil War and culminated on August 18, 1920, when the 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified. It declared that women deserved all the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, and this recognition of women is celebrated by Women’s History Month.
Setting aside a time to honor women started with Women’s History Week in 1981. In 1987, after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Public Law 100-9 designating March 1987 as the first Women’s History Month.
At VA
In the 1940s VA began hiring women physicians and leaders who specialized in women’s health, opening the first medical facilities designated to treat women Veterans.
The 1980s saw a renewed focus on issues and barriers to the care of women Veterans. Established in 1983, the National Advisory Committee on Women Veterans assessed the needs of women Veteran issues and recommended changes to help them receive care. That spurred the creation of VA’s Women Veterans coordinators and Woman Veterans Health Program.
VA’s Center for Women Veterans was established by Congress in 1994 to advocate for equitable outcomes and access to VA benefits, services and opportunities for women Veterans through education, outreach and collaboration. It empowered women Veterans to achieve their life goals through VA benefits and services.
VA is still working to bring better health care services and a welcoming atmosphere to our facilities. With the support of Congress, Veteran Service Organizations and Veteran advocates, VA improved offerings in fertility, newborn care, maternity care, childcare, homelessness, and sexual assault and trauma. We launched the White Ribbon campaign and End Harassment programs to improve women’s experiences at our medical centers.
There are nearly two million living women Veterans in the United States. With the steady increase of women wearing our nation’s uniform and their increased role in military operations, it has never been more important to make sure VA is ready and able to serve them.