WESTOVER AIR RESERVE BASE, Mass. -- MARCH 2020 - WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Women's History Month honors and celebrates the struggles and achievements of American Women throughout the history of the United States. The DoD Women's History Month poster consists of 3 versions, each of which is identical, except for the
woman depicted in the poster. The observance recognizing women's contributions was established by Public Law 100-9. This observance runs through the month of March and celebrates the struggles and achievements of women throughout the history of
the United States.
This month, DoD pays tribute to the women who pushed gender-defined barriers. They fought for what they believed in, paved the way for the women who came after them, changed the course of history, and redefined the United States military. During
WWII, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, then Commander of U.S. forces in Europe, declared, "They (women) have met every test and task assigned to them... their contributions in efficiency, skill, spirit, and determination are immeasurable.'
Women not only served in WWII in the Armed Forces but also on the home front. Women's involvement in the war effort irreversibly changed women's roles and American culture. As husbands and fathers, sons and brothers shipped out to fight in Europe and the Pacific, millions of women marched into factories, offices, and military bases to work in roles traditionally reserved for men in peacetime. One of the roles women played in the war was provided by the Women's Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs) who were the first women to fly American military aircraft.
They ferried planes from factories to bases, transported cargo, and trained male pilots how to strafe targets. They accumulated more than 60 million miles in flight distances. More than 1,000 WASPs served, and 38 of them lost their lives during the war. The theme set by DoD is, Honoring the Past, Securing the Future!
The 2020 Women's History Month National theme is, "Valiant Women of the Vote." The theme honors the brave women who also fought, but fought to win suffrage rights for women, and for the women who continue to fight for the voting rights of others.