Women Veterans in US Military History
Women Veterans have played a valuable role in their country’s military since well before they had the right to vote.
During the Revolutionary War, women often joined their spouses, brothers, and fathers when colonial militias armed themselves. In addition to cooking, mending clothes, and foraging for food, they served as medics and maintained the essential cannons. Others found ways to join the fight for American freedom. Margaret Corbin and Deborah Sampson are two of the known women who disguised themselves as men to fight on the front lines. Corbin carried on fighting in the Battle of Fort Washington even after being shot three times.
More than 3,000 women served as nurses for the Union in the Civil War. Clara Barton, the legendary founder of the Red Cross, was among the first to receive a “military pass” allowing her
to drive her medical wagons onto the front lines to tend to wounded soldiers. Again, more women disguised themselves as men to join the fight during the Civil War. It’s estimated that more than 1,000 women fought in the Civil War disguised as men.
The U.S. Army Nurse Corps was founded in 1901. By the end of World War, more than 3,000 nurses were deployed to Europe, serving in dangerous conditions while caring for Allied service members and civilians alike. WW1 marked the first time that women were able to openly serve in the military as well. The U.S. Navy, for example, enlisted around 12,000 women in the rank of yeoman (commonly referred to as yeomanettes), throughout WW1. The U.S. Army enlisted women as switchboard operators in high-pressure, high-importance roles near the front lines in France.
All of this history- and all of these sacrifices- took place before the 19th Amendment was ratified.
Issues Women Veterans Face
In the 1980s, a General Accounting Office (GAO) study found that women did not have equal access to VA benefits, nor were they adequately informed of the benefits they could have access to.
This failure to recognize the sacrifices that women Veterans of America have made underscores a historic lack of recognition and access to resources for Female Veterans.
Female Veterans deserve the level of support provided to Veterans from all demographics of the U.S. Military. Recognizing the centuries of contributions made by women to our military, Nation’s Finest provides comprehensive resources for female Veterans, ensuring they receive the support they need and have earned. We will leave no Veteran behind.
Today, VA statistics show that women are one of the fastest-growing demographics in the military, Almost 1 million women are expected to be in the U.S. Army alone by 2025. With that growing percentage comes an increase in female Veterans encountering common roadblocks that many Veterans face. It is estimated that:
- 3,980 women Veterans of America are homeless
- 3.1% of women Veterans are unemployed
- 11% of women Veterans suffer from PTSD
These numbers are unacceptable. More resources are needed for female Veterans.
Support and Financial Resources for Female Veterans
Female Veterans deserve the level of support provided to Veterans from all demographics of the U.S. Military. Recognizing the centuries of contributions made by women to our military, Nation’s Finest provides comprehensive resources for female Veterans, ensuring they receive the support they need and have earned. We will leave no Veteran behind.
Female Veterans deserve the level of support provided to Veterans from all demographics of the U.S. Military. Recognizing the centuries of contributions made by women to our military, Nation’s Finest provides comprehensive resources for female Veterans, ensuring they receive the support they need and have earned. We will leave no Veteran behind.
How does Nation’s Finest provide resources for female Veterans? Here are some of the services that Nation’s Finest team members can provide to Veterans of all eras and backgrounds:
- Transitional housing
- Permanent supportive housing
- Employment services
- Homelessness prevention services
- Individual therapy sessions
- Group therapy sessions
- And more – we tailor our approach to each Veteran
One common misconception is that Veterans need to be homeless or disabled to receive support. Nation’s Finest is committed to helping Veterans from all backgrounds find solutions to the roadblocks preventing them from reaching their full potential.
Reach out to a Nation’s Finest location near you to learn more.
How You Can Help Veterans in Need
Help us provide Women Veterans and beyond with a comprehensive approach to housing, health, and employment. Your donation to Nation’s Finest is more than a financial contribution; it’s an investment in hope and stability for those who have already sacrificed so much. Click below to make a donation now and join us in ensuring no Veteran is left behind.
