Women have fought and served in every war of our Nation. But it was only 70 years ago that we were given the opportunity to serve as full members of the military.
On the 12th of June 1948, President Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act. A pivotal piece of legislation, the act allowed women to serve as permanent members of the American military. Having fought against oppression and tyranny by serving both overseas and at home, American women would be granted the privilege to remain on active duty. Previously, women were required to demobilize following both World Wars. Although initially limited to only 2% of the total force, this act paved the way to the current state of our Armed Forces.
No nation who restricts half of their talent from participating in their defense can possibly hope to stand against the full and complete power of our Nation.
And we have Margaret Chase Smith to thank. She handily won her Maine seat in the House of Representatives following her husband’s untimely death. In 1948, then-Representative personally dissented from the House’s version of this ground-breaking bill. Differing from the Senate version, this version would have only granted women reserve status. She then petitioned Secretary of Defense William Forrestal (as in USS Forrestal). Secretary Forrestal fully supported the full integration of women. The revised bill passed the House with the Senate’s language.
As an aside, Senator Smith is best known for her Declaration of Conscience. During a particularly difficult time in our history, she stood up to her fellow Senator, Joseph McCarthy. In this 1950 speech, she declared that Americans have the right to express unpopular opinions.
Her hard work and advocacy paid off. Today, women comprise nearly 15% of the total force. Women are serving at every rank, in nearly every occupational specialty.
Happy Anniversary to my sisters in the Navy, Army, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard!
Learn more about our history at the Women’s Military Memorial.