06/13/2025
Dear Friends of the Military Women’s Memorial,
From all of us at the Memorial, thank you for joining us—whether in person or from afar—for this year’s Women Veterans Recognition Day Celebration. Your continued support and presence made June 12th truly special as we commemorated the 77th anniversary of the historic 1948 Women’s Armed Services Integration Act—legislation that changed the course of history by granting women a permanent place in our Nation’s military.
It was an unforgettable evening filled with inspiration, reflection, and celebration. We were privileged to hear from so many remarkable individuals whose words reminded us of the strength, courage, and leadership of our Nation’s military women:
• CW5 Phyllis Wilson, USA, Retired, our dedicated President, for her heartfelt words.
• Charlotte LaBelle and Rosalyn McDaniel from Amazon Global Military Affairs, whose generosity made the evening possible and whose personal remarks reminded us of why the Military Women’s Memorial mission matters so deeply.
• Michael Claus from Senator Susan Collins’ office, for honoring Senator Margaret Chase Smith’s enduring legacy.
• MG Jeanette K. Edmunds, USA Retired, for her insights on the significance of this landmark legislation.
• Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (Retired) JoAnne Bass, for her inspiring words on leadership and service and for honoring and inspiring our special guest, Julia Hyun, Chantilly Academy Air Force JROTC.
• And Victor Hurtado, who closed the evening with a moving performance of Beyond the Sky, a song commissioned by NASA in honor of trailblazing women in space.
We were proud to present the 2025 Senator Margaret Chase Smith Leadership Award to the first military women astronaut candidates: Colonel Eileen Collins, Colonel (Dr.) Nancy Currie-Gregg, and Lieutenant General Susan Helms—true pioneers who opened doors for generations to follow.
Congratulations and thank you to Colonel (Dr.) Nancy Currie-Gregg, USA Retired, for accepting the 2025 Senator Margaret Chase Smith Leadership Award on behalf of herself and her fellow trailblazers. It was an absolute privilege to hear her powerful story and personal journey, as she honored her fellow women astronauts and fellow award recipients. As CMSAF (Ret.) JoAnne Bass shared, Dr. Currie-Gregg’s keynote remarks were among the most inspiring she’s ever heard.
We are especially grateful to Amazon Global Military Affairs for their generous sponsorship that made this special evening possible.
As Rosalyn McDaniel so perfectly stated:
“This isn’t just a memorial. It’s a bridge, connecting generations of servicemembers. It’s a testament to those who dare to serve. It’s a beacon of inspiration for those who will follow. Let us continue to support and uplift women in military service – to tell their stories – we all have stories – and ensure future generations can see clearly what they can become. Because when we show young women what’s possible, we expand the boundaries of what they believe they can achieve. This commitment to such a worthy cause as the Military Women’s Memorial validates exactly why I am here and it tells me that I am in the right place, right space, continuing to make a difference. I want to thank you all – to those who have served, who are serving, and those who will serve. And I want you to know that your visibility is creating possibilities that will echo through generations to come.”
And as Charlotte LaBelle shared:
"That’s why events like this—and, more importantly, the Military Women’s Memorial—matter so much. The stories, the service, the legacy of those who came before us must be preserved, honored, and celebrated.”
Rosalyn McDaniel summed up the evening nicely when she said, “We don’t always get an opportunity to stand in the light and not in the shadow, and so we are going to take advantage of that tonight. We’re going to make history and we’re going to have some fun." And we sure did!
If you weren’t able to join us or would like to experience the program again, you can watch it here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1BwVeoGE5q/
Each year, this event serves as a beautiful reminder of why the Military Women’s Memorial exists — to ensure the stories, service, and sacrifices of America’s military women are honored, remembered, and shared with future generations.
Thanks to you—our members, friends, and partners—these stories live on. You are the reason we can continue this mission, and we are deeply grateful for your unwavering support.
Thank you for being part of our Military Women’s Memorial family. Together, we ensure that military women and their service continue to shine brightly—for today, and for generations to come.
With heartfelt gratitude,
The Military Women’s Memorial Team
