March is Women’s History Month, commemorating and encouraging the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history. Since 1995, U.S. Presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month” although the annual celebration had its beginnings in 1981 with an original Women’s History Week Perhaps no better example exists of the contributions made and the glass ceilings broken by women in recent years than in military circles and within Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) such as BVA.

Women have helped defend our country since the American Revolution. A few served in combat, disguised as men during the American Revolution and Civil War. Many served on the front lines during the two World Wars. It took until 1919 for authorization to be granted for hospitalization and medical care for women who served as Army or Navy nurses during World War I.

In 2025, VA is celebrating 102 years of providing health care for women veterans with the first hospital spaces granted to them at the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, the predecessor to the Veterans Health Administration.

Women service members and veterans have not always been equally recognized for having “borne the battle” in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. The same applies perhaps as well to the women who have served in national and local leadership capacities with VSOs in advocating for their fellow veterans of all genders, races, religions, ages, disabilities, and sexual orientations.

BVA Happenings takes this opportunity to recognize and thank the blind and low vision women veterans of BVA who contribute so much in the way of leadership and support to the organization. May you discover additional benefits and rewards for your service to all veterans.

A special webpage of Military.com offers a wealth of information and resources that attest to the contributions and valor of women dating back to the Civil War.