March: Women’s History Month

At William S. Middleton VAMC, we used this month to celebrate the 2,200 women Veterans we serve and to reflect on the improvements we have made in health care and the provision of services for women Veterans.

Women have served in America’s wars and conflicts throughout our history. Although women were not formally under military command until the early 20th century, they have served in various capacities, beginning with the Revolutionary War.  One hundred years ago, Loretta P. Walsh became the first woman to enlist in the military. Thereafter, more than 400 women fought in the Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War.

In 1948, Congress passed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act granting women permanent status in the military, entitling them to Veterans’ benefits. In the nation, 16.5 percent of active military personnel are women, and women account for almost 11 percent of all Veterans. Women are one of the fastest growing subgroups in the Veteran population, and this number is projected to grow. Women Veterans continue to break barriers today modeling national service for generations to follow. Women use the skills and experiences from their military service to make achievements in their careers, contributions to their communities, and to become public service leaders. We are committed to recognize and honor these achievements and provide our women Veterans with the benefits and services they earned and deserve. William S. Middleton VAMC is a leader in Veteran care. We will continue to provide our Servicewomen with the benefits they so deeply deserve. Providing exemplary health care and services to our women Veterans is, after all, a foundational part of our mission. As a woman, spouse of an Army Veteran, and VA employee, I am proud to work for an organization that is leading the way in improving care for women Veterans.

For more information about the Madison VA Hospital, visit www.madison.va.gov or www.facebook.com/MadisonVAHospital and subscribe to our newsletters.