Military Service & the American Woman
On March 8, 2024 the United States, the UK, Australia and other nations celebrated International Women’s Day. In fact the entire month of March is dedicated to Women’s History. As we move forward through this month of reflection, it is both right and proper to recognize the many achievements made by our women in uniform as well as those female civilians who served in defense of our nation.
Historically, women have played a critical role in United States military service. During World War I, thousands of women were deployed to France. Some of these women, known as Hello Girls, served as telephone operators. Their bravery, competence and dedication to duty was legendary. In one instance, a communications building was severely damaged by German artillery. Ignoring possible incoming fire and bitter cold the Hello Girls stayed at their posts and continued providing critical communications support. In another instance, a building housing a communications center was set ablaze. As the fire crept closer the “Hello Girls” ignored the impending danger and stayed at their posts. Finally, only after threat of Court Martial, did these brave women reluctantly evacuate the building. Moments after the blaze was extinguished the Hello Girls ran back inside the still smoldering structure and resumed their vital work. Communications is key in combat environments and the Hello Girls played a crucial role in winning the “War to End all Wars”. So impressed by these female telephone operators, American general John “Black Jack” Pershing consistently praised these women to all who would listen.
For most of his presidency, Progressive Democrat Woodrow Wilson was strongly opposed to women’s rights. That eventually changed due, in part, to the outstanding contributions made by American women during World War 1. Eventually President Wilson did recognize and support the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Unfortunately the Wilson administration’s support for female veterans could be considered, at best, uneven. After helping to win World War 1, the Hello Girls and other United States Army female service members would not receive veterans benefits. Conversely, the United States Navy and Marine Corps female service members would receive veterans benefits.
From its earliest days the American Legion codified the voting rights of women veterans concerning Legion elections. The idea was simple, anyone who wore the uniform had earned the right to vote. Upon its founding in 1919, female American Legionnaires enjoyed the right to vote for the office of national commander. This recognition concerning the voting rights of female American Legion members was in practice well before these same brave ladies could legally vote for their nation’s Commander in Chief!
Upon the outbreak of World War 2, Americans flocked to the military recruiting centers. Women were called to serve in all theaters of that global conflict and the ladies of the United States were determined to do their part. Communications, transportation, logistics, medical and troop morale services were areas where women played critical roles. Women drove trucks, built tanks, produced aircraft and piloted those aircraft around the nation.
Rosie the Riveter symbolized the importance of women’s efforts during World War 2. With so many men serving overseas, females quickly filled employment positions traditionally held by men. Despite long hours, tough conditions and little recognition, this female work force helped turn the tide of the war. The military industries of Italy, Germany and Japan could not compete. America and its female workforce simply outproduced the Axis powers. In order to remember and honor the efforts of these hardworking women, the Rosie Memorial Garden project was formed. In true American Legion fashion several Posts around the nation have planted Rosie Memorial Gardens.
The image of an Army nurse tending to wounded GIs holds a power place in American society. From the birth of our nation to the present day, women have provided care and comfort to our nation’s wounded warriors. Modern day physical therapy can trace its roots to the women of World War 1. As civilians employed by the United States Army, Director Marguerite Sanderson and Reconstruction Aide Mary McMillan built the foundation of today’s Physiotherapy Department at Walter Reed General Hospital. The rehabilitation facility that these women and others like them helped create is considered the gold standard concerning care of our nation’s wounded warriors.
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the horror that had been World War 1 mercifully came to an end. Soon after, thousands of American soldiers boarded troop transport ships and sailed west for American shores. The war weary Doughboys were going home. Unfortunately, for many American families, only the remains of their fallen servicemen would return home. Wives, mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, nieces and others needed a female-focused support system. The American Legion Auxiliary provided that help.
In 1919 the American Legion Auxiliary was formed. While affiliated with the American Legion, the Auxiliary was its own separate entity. The success of this organization cannot be overstated. Guided by the core principles of service to veterans, family and community, the American Legion Auxiliary ladies have been actively supporting the veteran community for over a century. With over 10,000 individual units located throughout the United States, the American Legion Auxiliary is an impressive and important nonprofit supporter of Veteran causes and the broader military community.
From its origins in 1922, the Albert J Hamilton American Legion Post 7 and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 7 have served Whatcom County Veterans and their families. The Bellingham Legion Post 7 bears the name of a young Whatcom County soldier killed in the final months of World War 1. Letters written between Albert and his mother Belle Hamilton are carefully stored in the Post 7 archives. To recognize Mrs. Hamilton’s sorrowful sacrifice, the Bellingham Legion Auxiliary granted her an honorary Auxiliary membership. Belle’s original American Legion Auxiliary membership cards will soon be displayed for all to see at the Bellingham Legion Post that bears the name of her fallen son.
On August 2017 the American Legion elected our first female national commander. In an interview given to Task & Purpose the newly elected American Legion National Commander Denise Rohan gave the following quote: “I’m hoping to bring some awareness to the fact that women have always been welcome in the American Legion. I am a Legionnaire who happens to be a female. I’ve worked from the post level all the way up. [I hope] that brings a new perspective on our organization.”
Today, women fill the American Legion ranks and leadership positions as never before. Michigan American Legion Posts 268 and 193 are led by United States Army Veterans Commander Angela Jaworski and Kathy Musick respectively. Pennsylvania American Legion Post 559 is currently commanded by Elaina Wanamaker, also an Army Veteran.
Closer to home the female veterans of Albert J Hamilton Post 7 are playing an important role in moving Post 7 forward into the future. United States Navy Veteran Carol Penksa is a member of the Post 7 Honor Guard. Army Veteran Laurie Irwin also serves on the Honor Guard and holds the position of Post 7 Adjunct. Donna Trecker, a U.S. Navy Vietnam War era veteran, is also an active member of Post 7.
American women are currently serving throughout the United States military. Their duties have taken them to the furthest reaches of our planet. Other women are spouses, raising families alone while their partners serve our nation in distant lands. At some point, these women will transition from civilian and military service to private life. Many may find themselves in need of support. Fortunately these women are not alone. The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary is there, and has been for over one hundred years.
This article is dedicated to my mother. Rosemary Meyers is the spouse of an Army Vietnam Veteran, mother to a Navy Desert Shield Veteran, and grandmother to an active duty Army soldier.
Robert W Meyers
Post 7 Historian
March, 15 2024
