03/01/2026
VFW Honors Women’s History Month
In March, we recognize the resilience, service and sacrifice of our nation’s brave women service members and veterans
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Feb. 27, 2026) — This Women’s History Month, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) joins a grateful nation in honoring and recognizing the generations of American women veterans who have protected our nation and helped build the strongest and most capable military that we have today.
WHM_VFW_Post.jpgWomen have been an integral part of our nation’s defense since its founding, with many serving as nurses, spies and even as disguised soldiers long before World War I, when they were allowed to openly serve in the U.S. military. Since then, almost 2.2 million women have served in uniform in every branch of the Armed Forces and in every war and conflict of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Congress passed Public Law 97-28 in 1981 designating “Women’s History Week” to acknowledge the contributions women of every race, class and ethnic background have made to the nation despite being “consistently overlooked and undervalued in the body of American History.” This moment recognized that women were not just participants in our history, but leaders at the forefront of every major progressive change, from suffrage and abolition to the modern civil rights movement. In 1987, this recognition was rightfully expanded to the entire month of March under Public Law 100-9.
VFW National Commander Carol Whitmore, the first woman to lead the organization in its 126-year history, reminds Americans, “The contributions of women to our national security are not simply a footnote in our history books, they are a cornerstone. The VFW salutes the women who have stood their ground on the battlefield, navigated challenging terrain and overcame blocking obstacles, all while carrying the heavy burden of proving their worth in hostile environments. They ensured that the ‘right to serve’ became a reality for all future generations. Their enduring achievements have played an indispensable role in securing our freedom and defining our way of life.
“I am honored to lead a VFW that is proud to recognize and celebrate the countless contributions of our nation’s women service members and veterans, and remains committed to advocating for the respect, health care and benefits our women veterans have earned.”
