Women’s History Month

One of the first American women to serve in combat, Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man and enlisted in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Her courage and determination demonstrated that women were willing to risk their lives for the new nation long before they were officially permitted to serve.

Cathay Williams was the only known woman to serve as a Buffalo Soldier, disguising herself as a man to enlist in the U.S. Army after the Civil War. Her story reflects the determination of women who served despite official barriers.

Lillian Kinkella Keil was one of the most decorated flight nurses in U.S. military history. Serving with the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II and later conflicts, she completed hundreds of aeromedical evacuation missions, safely transporting more than 10,000 wounded service members from combat zones to medical care.

Known widely for leading enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman also served the Union Army during the Civil War as a scout, spy, and nurse. She became the first woman in U.S. history to lead an armed military expedition.

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker served as a Civil War surgeon and endured imprisonment as a prisoner of war while caring for Union soldiers. She remains the only woman ever awarded the Medal of Honor.

In 1917, Loretta Walsh became the first enlisted woman in the U.S. Navy when the Navy began accepting women as Yeoman during World War I. Her service opened the door for thousands of women to support the war effort in uniform.

Army helicopter pilot Tammy Duckworth was severely wounded when her aircraft was shot down in Iraq. After losing both legs, she continued to serve her country as a veteran advocate, U.S. Representative, and United States Senator from Illinois.

A nurse captured by Japanese forces during World War II, Colonel Ruby Bradley spent over three years in prisoner-of-war camps where she secretly treated fellow prisoners and helped save countless lives despite severe shortages and harsh conditions. After the war she continued serving, ultimately earning 34 medals and citations for her courage, leadership, and dedication to caring for others.

A pioneering aviator and leader of the Women Army Air Force Service Pilots (WASP) program during World War II, Jacqueline Cochran helped prove that women pilots could fly demanding military missions and support combat operations.

Oveta Culp Hobby became the first director of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) during World War II, organizing and leading more than 150,000 women who served in critical military roles across the globe.

Rear Admiral Grace Hopper was a naval officer and brilliant computer scientist who helped pioneer modern computer programming. Her work led to the development of early programming languages and shaped the digital age.

Air Force Lieutenant General Susan Helms was both an aerospace engineer and a NASA astronaut. She flew multiple space missions and helped set a record for the longest spacewalk in history.

In 2008, Ann Dunwoody became the first woman in U.S. military history to achieve the rank of four-star general, demonstrating the continued expansion of leadership opportunities for women in uniform.

Admiral Michelle Howard became the first African American woman to command a U.S. Navy ship and later the first woman to achieve the rank of four-star admiral in the Navy.

Army Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester became the first woman since World War II to receive the Silver Star for direct combat action, leading her team during a fierce firefight in Iraq in 2005.

General Jeanne Holm became the first woman in the U.S. Air Force to reach the rank of general officer and helped expand opportunities for women throughout the Air Force.

Army medic Monica Brown received the Silver Star for heroism in Afghanistan after repeatedly exposing herself to enemy fire to rescue and treat wounded soldiers during an ambush.