Military Women's Memorial
The Military Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery honors the courage and contributions of women in the U.S. military, commemorating their pivotal role throughout history.
The Military Women’s Memorial stands as a testament to the valor, dedication, and contributions of women in the U.S. military. Situated at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, it is the nation's sole major memorial dedicated to honoring women's military service from the American Revolution to the present day. Opened to the public in 1997, the Memorial's design is a remarkable collaboration by the architectural firm of Weiss/Manfredi. It ingeniously incorporates the historic Hemicycle—a retaining wall dedicated in 1932 as part of the Memorial Bridge project, originally intended as the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery. The Memorial's location on the western terminus of Memorial Drive symbolically connects the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House, linking key historical landmarks.
The initiative to establish the memorial gained momentum in 1983, following the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Women veterans from World War II, feeling overlooked, rallied support for their recognition. With the backing of the American Veterans Committee (AVC) and former Ohio Rep. Mary Rose Oakar, efforts to honor military women intensified. The Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation (WIMSA) was established in 1985, and in 1986, President Ronald Reagan signed PL-610, authorizing the memorial's creation on federal lands in the District of Columbia.
The history of the Military Women’s Memorial is intertwined with the stories and struggles of the women it honors. Since the founding of the Republic, women like Molly Pitcher have showcased bravery, patriotism, and leadership in the face of adversity. The dedication of the memorial was not a straightforward journey. It involved years of advocacy and lobbying by women veterans, spearheaded by the likes of Mary Rose Oakar, who championed the cause in Congress.
The design competition in 1989 attracted submissions from across the nation. The winning design, led by New York architects Marion Weiss and Michael Manfredi, encapsulated the essence of the memorial, although it underwent modifications to better harmonize with the existing architecture. Groundbreaking occurred in June 1995, and after meticulous planning and construction, the Memorial was dedicated on October 18, 1997.
The heart of the Memorial lies in its Register—a testament to the individual stories that shape the collective narrative of women's military service. It houses an interactive database featuring the names, service data, experiences, and photographs of over 300,000 servicewomen. Yet, this represents only a fraction of the approximately 3 million women who have served since the American Revolution. The Memorial also features spaces like the Vaught Center, a gift shop, and the Hall of Honor, paying tribute to servicewomen who made the ultimate sacrifice or demonstrated exceptional bravery.
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