Staying true to our mission, our signature program HERstory explores the lived experiences of women veterans throughout American history. September 11, 2001– a day we will never forget. To mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11, MWM President Phyllis Wilson sat down with women and asked them to share their 9/11 HERstories, their “where were you when” moments.

As a historic unit of the National Park Service, the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The site also is within the boundaries of the Logan Circle Historic District. This lesson is based on the Historic Resources Study for Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site, as well as other materials on Bethune and the National Council of Negro Women. The lesson was written by Brenda K. Olio, former Teaching with Historic Places historian, and edited by staff of the Teaching with Historic Places program and Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site.

This lesson brings together digital mapping and the Chronicling America newspaper database as part of an inquiry into how and where the women's suffrage movement took place in the United States. Primary source newspaper articles published between 1911-1920 and maps from 1918-1920 are used to prompt student research into how women organized, the type of elections that women could participate in, and the extent to which the 19th Amendment transformed voting rights in the U.S.

Check out some wedding gowns from World War II made with parachute silk - a creative solution for war brides when luxury goods were in short supply. The Military Women’s Memorial, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service. It is located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and features an education center, interactive exhibitions, a world-class collection of military women’s stories, and engaging programs and events for all generations. Find out more about us at www.womensmemorial.org.

This program examines the critical roles that Black servicewomen played in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II. Nearly 9,000 African American women served throughout the United States and in England under racially segregated and discriminatory conditions. Black servicewomen trained in all-Black units and were permitted only to compose a certain enlistment quota. They served largely in support roles and in positions of menial and manual labor. They were barred from the same advancement opportunities given to white women and almost entirely prohibited from serving overseas. And still, they served. Moreover, in their support of achieving Allied victory in 1945, Black women realized a link between promoting civil rights for African Americans in the Armed Forces and on the home front. 

It is hard to imagine any movement more important for understanding the meaning of freedom and equal rights in the U.S. than the civil rights struggle in the post-World War II era. Yet, as Julian Bond succinctly argued, in most textbooks and the media, the popular understanding of that movement is reduced to: "Rosa sat down, Martin stood up, and the white kids came down and saved the day."

As part of our Summer With The Arts series, Women’s Memorial Collections Manager Amy Poe sits down with Gail Belmont and April Goodwin-Gill. Gail and April discuss how their military service played a central role in shaping who they are and how it has influenced their work as artists. Gail and April have found healing and comfort in their art and use it to inspire other veterans, service members, and their communities. Listen to the powerful stories of these veteran artists and learn about the meaning and creative process behind their art. Staying true to our mission, HERstory programming explores the lived experiences of women veterans throughout American history. HERstory is a program where women veterans share their stories in video chats with President Wilson.We are the leading memorial and education center honoring women’s contributions to the service of our nation.   As the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service, we educate and inspire through innovative and interactive exhibitions, our world-class collections, and engaging programs and events for all generations. We honor the commitment, contributions and experiences of every woman who serves in, or with, the Armed Forces.

MWM President Phyllis Wilson sits down with Lt. Gen. Susan Helms, USAF (Ret.). Not only did Helms serve in the U.S. Air Force, but she was also a NASA astronaut. She has been to space five times for a total of 211 days. She graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1980 and became a weapons separation engineer and test pilot before joining NASA. She returned to the Air Force in 2002 to work at the HQ USAF Space Command. Helms also served as the 45th Space Wing Commander. While with NASA, she flew aboard the Space Shuttles Endeavor, Discovery, Columbia and Atlantis, and served aboard the International Space Station. She held the world record for longest space walk at 8 hours and 56 minutes.Staying true to our mission, HERstory programming explores the lived experiences of women veterans throughout American history. HERstory is a program where women veterans share their stories in video chats with President Wilson.We are the leading memorial and education center honoring women’s contributions to the service of our nation.   As the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service, we educate and inspire through innovative and interactive exhibitions, our world-class collections, and engaging programs and events for all generations. We honor the commitment, contributions and experiences of every woman who serves in, or with, the Armed Forces.

Staying true to our mission, our signature program HERstory explores the lived experiences of women veterans throughout American history. Each month, MWM President, Phyllis Wilson, hosts a new episode with a new story. This month, Phyllis sits down with our very own Marilla Cushman, Senior Advisor to the MWM President. Marilla shares her story of her years of service in the Army, her part in the popular “Be All You Can Be” advertising campaign and how Brig. Gen. Wilma Vaught recruited her to work at the Military Women’s Memorial. Phyllis and Marilla also discuss our 24 years of telling HERstory.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, we spoke with SGM Danyell Walters. In January 1997, she became the first ever Black woman, and only the second woman, to be a tomb guard. Walters sat down with our Community Engagement Manager Lachrisha Parker to reflect on her time as a tomb guard and her career.

In 1973, Ann Coyer became the first military woman to serve in Antarctica. As an administrative officer with the Navy, she worked to support U.S. scientific research activities during the polar summer as a part of Operation Deep Freeze. The Spotlight Series takes a look at stories from both our Register, an interactive online database of military women, and our world class collection.The Military Women’s Memorial, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service. It is located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and features an education center, interactive exhibitions, a world-class collection of military women’s stories, and engaging programs and events for all generations. Find out more about us at www.womensmemorial.org.Music: https://www.bensound.com 

The Military Women’s Memorial commemorates the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 – a date that lives in infamy – through the story of Anna Urda Busby, a nurse who was stationed there and who experienced the attack firsthand. The Spotlight Series takes a look at stories from both our Register, an interactive online database of military women, and our world class collection.The Military Women’s Memorial, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service. It is located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and features an education center, interactive exhibitions, a world-class collection of military women’s stories, and engaging programs and events for all generations. Find out more about us at www.womensmemorial.org.Music: https://www.bensound.com

Elizabeth “Betty” Splaine joined the U.S. Coast Guard Women’s Reserve, the SPARS, during World War II. She continued her service after the war for another twenty years, becoming the Coast Guard’s first female warrant officer in 1958. The HERstory Spotlight Series takes a look at stories from both our Register, an interactive online database of military women, and our world-class collection.The Military Women’s Memorial, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service. It is located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and features an education center, interactive exhibitions, a world-class collection of military women’s stories, and engaging programs and events for all generations. Find out more about us at www.womensmemorial.org.

Charity Adams Earley was the highest-ranking Black woman in the U.S. Army during World War II. She commanded the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only contingent of Black WACs to serve overseas during the war. In spring 2022, President Biden signed the bipartisan legislation to award the 6888th the Congressional Gold Metal. The HERstory Spotlight Series takes a look at stories from both our Register, an interactive online database of military women, and our world-class collection. The Military Women’s Memorial, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service. It is located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and features an education center, interactive exhibitions, a world-class collection of military women’s stories, and engaging programs and events for all generations. Find out more about us at www.womensmemorial.org.

The bugle has been a part of military tradition since the nation’s beginning. In 1942, Donna-Mae Smith became the first woman bugler in the Army. The Spotlight Series takes a look at stories from both our Register, an interactive online database of military women, and our world class collection.The Military Women’s Memorial, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service. It is located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and features an education center, interactive exhibitions, a world-class collection of military women’s stories, and engaging programs and events for all generations. Find out more about us at www.womensmemorial.org.Music: Artist: Maarten Schellekens, Title: Mi Bolero, https://freemusicarchive.org

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was a surgeon, suffragist, and feminist reformer. In 1865, she was awarded the Medal of Honor for her service as a contract surgeon with the Union Army during the Civil War. Dr. Walker remains, to this day, the only woman ever to receive the Medal of Honor. The HERstory Spotlight Series takes a look at stories from both the Military Women's Memorial (MWM) Register, an interactive online database of military women, and MWM's world class collection. The Military Women’s Memorial, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service. It is located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and features an education center, interactive exhibitions, a world-class collection of military women’s stories, and engaging programs and events for all generations. Find out more about us at www.womensmemorial.org.

Join us as we recreate a World War I donut recipe used by Ethel Ash. Ash volunteered with the YMCA, a uniformed organization that worked alongside the military to boost morale. She served in France where she made hundreds of donuts a day for soldiers, with limited ingredients available to her. The Spotlight Series takes a look at stories from both our Register, an interactive online database of military women, and our world class collection.Recipe:1 cup water¼ cup butter¼ cup sugar¼ teaspoon cinnamon2 tablespoons cocoa powder½ teaspoon vanilla extract1 ¼ cup self-rising flour½ cup Sweetened Condensed MilkMusic: https://www.bensound.com

Gianna Fimbres drove fuel tankers in Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. She shared her story with the Military Women’s Memorial and preserved it in our register - Hear her story in her own words. You can also preserve your stories by registering your service.The Military Women’s Memorial, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service. It is located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and features an education center, interactive exhibitions, a world-class collection of military women’s stories, and engaging programs and events for all generations. Find out more about us at www.womensmemorial.org.

Gladys Anderson was among the more than 800 women who joined the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only contingent of Black WACs to serve overseas during World War II. The HERstory Spotlight Series takes a look at stories from both our Register, an interactive online database of military women, and our world class collection.The Military Women’s Memorial, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service. It is located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and features an education center, interactive exhibitions, a world-class collection of military women’s stories, and engaging programs and events for all generations. Find out more about us at www.womensmemorial.org.

Jasmin Moghbeli is a Marine Corps aviator and an astronaut. As a 2020 graduate of NASA’s Astronaut Candidate Training Program, she is eligible to be the first woman on the moon as part of the Artemis Program. The HERstory Spotlight Series takes a look at stories from both our Register, an interactive online database of military women, and our world class collection. The Military Women’s Memorial, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service. It is located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery and features an education center, interactive exhibitions, a world-class collection of military women’s stories, and engaging programs and events for all generations. Find out more about us at www.womensmemorial.org.