3/20/2023 4:00:13 PM
The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) is proud to recognize March as Women’s History Month, a celebration of women’s contributions to the growth and strength of our nation in countless recorded and unrecorded ways.
Women of every race, class and ethnic background have played and continue to play a critical economic, cultural and social role in every sphere of life and constitute a significant portion of the labor and volunteer labor forces; charitable, philanthropic, and cultural institutions; and major, progressive social change movements.
In celebration, we are sharing the 2023 Women’s History Month proclamation from the White House.
From a military service perspective, in 1948, Congress passed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act granting women permanent status in the military and entitling them to Veterans’ benefits. In the nation, more than 16 percent of active military personnel are women, and women account for almost 11 percent of all Veterans – serving as one of the fastest growing subgroups in the Veteran population, with this number projected to grow.
Women serve on the frontlines, under fire, as well as behind the scenes in strategy planning and policy development and within their communities, fighting for equal opportunities for all. We thank you for paving the way for future generations.
Want to know more about Women’s history in the U.S. Military?
To get connected to Veteran and community resources and arts/cultural organizations, check out these sites: