Women Veterans Day – June 12th
Remember. Honor.
Women Veterans Day is observed on June 12 in the United States, a date chosen to mark the anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act. The date is not recognized nationally but is recognized by a number of states, either through legislation or proclamation, and organizations.
The Women’s Armed Services Integration Act legally permitted women to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces in a number of official capacities. Most importantly, the act allowed women to serve in all four branches of the military.
The stated goal of Women Veterans Day varies somewhat by state, but can generally be acknowledged as an effort to honor the work of women in the United States Armed Forces and recognize the unique challenges that they have faced
The date was first recognized when the New York State Assembly declared June 12, 2008 to be Women Veterans’ Recognition Day.
I Am Not Invisible
There are roughly two million women Veterans, making up ten percent of the Veteran population and growing. Yet they continue to face significant barriers and challenges in accessing necessary health care and other services, while experiencing a lack of recognition. Women veterans are not only overlooked by those around them, but frequently struggle to consider themselves Veterans.
The I Am Not Invisible (IANI) campaign began in February 2017 as a way to increase visibility of women Veterans, who are often invisible both as Service members and Veterans.
The campaign aims to increase awareness and dialogue about women Veterans and open viewers’ eyes to the myriad contributions, needs, and experiences of women who have served in the military.
