The Veterans of Foreign Wars is proud to recognize and honor the countless contributions of our nation’s women service members, veterans and the many others who have aided in the defense of our country throughout the month of March, Women’s History Month.

With women being integral to every facet of American life including the establishment of the United States, it is surprising the nation has only been officially commemorating women’s achievements and contributions for 43 years.

Congress passed Public Law 97-28 in 1981, designating “Women’s History Week” beginning March 7, 1982, to recognize the undeniable fact that “American women of every race, class, and ethnic background served as early leaders in the forefront of every major progressive social change movement, not only to secure their own right of suffrage and equal opportunity, but also in the abolitionist movement, the emancipation movement, the industrial labor union movement, and the modern civil rights movement,” and whose roles and contributions had been “consistently overlooked and undervalued in the body of American History.”

Authorized and requested by the law, President Jimmy Carter issued a presidential proclamation declaring Women’s History Week and called on a grateful nation to mark the observance with ceremonies and activities.

Within a few years, 14 states had already expanded the weeklong commemoration to the entire month of March. Finally in 1987, President Ronald Reagan signed the newly passed Public Law 100-9 designating the month of March as Women’s History Month.

The VFW salutes and honors all women service members, veterans and unsung heroes for their indelible achievements and contributions to our country, our freedom and our way of life.