Bipartisan legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate as a companion to a House resolution urges the U.S. Postal Service to issue a commemorative stamp series honoring women veterans of the armed forces.
The measure was introduced on Tuesday, Nov. 5, by Senators Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.; Martha McSally, R-Ariz.; Jon Tester, D-Mont.; Kamala Harris, D-Calif.; Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska; Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y.; and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.
Murkowski noted that American women have served in the military since the Revolutionary War, distinguishing themselves by their bravery and skills.
One of them was Mary Louise Rasmuson, who enlisted as a private in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II, rose to the rank of colonel and retired in 1962 as the highly respected director of the Corps.
“Colonel Rasmuson is just one female veteran among many who have made significant contributions to the military,” Murkowski said. “Across every branch, women have served bravely and selflessly alongside their brothers and sisters in uniform in combat, behind the lines in foreign lands, and here at home.”
There are currently some 2 million women veterans of the armed forces living in the United States and Puerto Rico who served with honor and distinction. Rasmuson was appointed by Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy as director of the Women’s Army Corps and worked to successfully integrate black women in the WAC. She also ensured that the Army opened new military occupational specialties to active duty enlisted women and women reservists and fought for active duty credit for service in the precursor to the WAC.
