The Pentagon Celebrates 75 Years of Female Military Service

Austin addressed a gathering of numerous individuals assembled in the auditorium of the Pentagon for the ceremony. He said, ‘The United States military needs women. This is a priority for the Department of Defense.’

Enacted on June 12, 1948, the Women's Armed Services Integration Act marked a pivotal moment as it granted women the opportunity to pursue military careers for the first time. Prior to the implementation of this law, women were only permitted to serve as nurses or in restricted roles primarily during periods of war.

The origins of this law can be traced back to a bill introduced in late 1947, advocated by Representative Margaret Chase Smith, a Republican from Maine who held the distinction of being the first woman to serve in both the House and Senate. The bill faced significant opposition within Congress, necessitating several months of negotiations to secure approval from the House and Senate Armed Services committees.

Several notable individuals, such as Army General and future President Dwight D. Eisenhower, advocated for the permanent inclusion of women in the military, emphasising the importance of granting them full benefits. Joining the cause were Army General Omar Bradley and then-Defense Secretary James Forrestal, who also voiced their support for the legislation.

In attendance at Monday's ceremony at the Pentagon were four distinguished women who had served in the military several decades ago. Among them were Norma Gene Rambow, a former Marine field cook who served during World War II and will celebrate her 100th birthday in September. Also present were Marion Marques, a former cryptographer in the Women's Army Corps, Corinne Robinson, a former corpsman in the Navy Women's Reserve, and Hilary Rosado, a former imagery analyst in the Army.

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, who holds the distinction of being the first woman in her position, remarked during the event, ‘This anniversary serves as a timely opportunity to celebrate that tremendous talent, tenacity and expertise that women have long contributed to [the military’s] mission. Today, women are able to serve in the military regardless of their race or identity. …They can serve in combat roles, and they can become Army Rangers, fighter pilots and four-star generals.’