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Women in military service have long struggled to be recognized not only for the contributions they have made in the past, but the contributions they could make if so allowed. The debate still rages in America, from the family kitchen table to the Pentagon itself. Whatever the final outcome of this debate, the sacrifices made by females in serving their country cannot be denied. Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught, USAF (Ret.) is president of the Women’s Memorial Fund and has made it her mission to bring equal attention to her counterparts, both historical and current. The Women in Military Service for America Memorial Foundation faced a long and difficult battle in our own country to bring attention and a lasting tribute to America’s military women. The commitment of the Foundation and of Brigadier General Vaught paid off with the dedication of the Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetary on October 18, 1997.

Basic Facts About the Women’s Memorial

WHAT: The only major national memorial honoring all servicewomen—past, present and future. The Women In Military Service For America Memorial honors the more than two million women who have served or are serving in or with the US Armed Forces starting with the American Revolution.

WHERE: The 4.2 acre Ceremonial Entrance to Arlington National Cemetery in our nation’s capital.

WHEN: Open to the public every day except Christmas. Dedicated October 18, 1997. Groundbreaking held June 22, 1995.

WHO: Spearheaded by the Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation, Inc. The Foundation, founded in 1985, is an IRS designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

THOSE HONORED: All US servicewomen, past, present and future, including living or deceased women veterans; Active Duty, Reserve, Guard and US Public Health Service uniformed women; and women in the Coast Guard auxiliary and Civil Air Patrol. The Memorial also honors women who served overseas during conflicts, in direct support of the armed forces, in organizations such as the Red Cross, USO and Special Services; and members of the US Public Health Service Cadet Nurse Corps. The Foundation is seeking names, addresses, photos and memorable experiences of women who have served to be included in the Memorial’s Register, an interactive computer database available at the Memorial. Deceased servicewomen from any era or those civilian women who served with other civilian organizations can be registered by family members, friends and organizations.

HISTORY: Congressional resolutions to honor military women were introduced by Senator Frank Murkowski (R-AK) and Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar (D-OH). Signed into law by President Reagan in November 1986.

DESIGN: By Marion Gail Weiss and Michael Manfredi of Weiss/Manfredi Architects, New York City, winners of a national competition. The Memorial features an upper terrace with views of Arlington National Cemetery and the monuments of Washington, DC. On the terrace, there is an arc of large glass panels on which quotations from and about servicewomen are etched. This arc of glass introduces natural light into the Memorial’s Education Center. At the lower terrace, in front of the Hemicycle wall, are the reflecting pool and Court of Valor. The Education Center, located behind the Hemicycle, houses a Hall of Honor, exhibit gallery, theater, and the computer database of servicewomen called the Register. Through the Register, visitors may access photos, military histories and the individual stories of registered women.

FUNDING: The total cost of building the Memorial was $22 million. In building the Memorial, support came from federal grants; proceeds from the sale of commemorative silver dollars; and corporate, organization, and individual donations. The Memorial Foundation maintains and operates the Memorial Education Center; manages an archive and research collection relating to women in the military; conducts an aggressive education program; builds exhibits showcasing the different eras in which women have served using text, images, memorabilia and artifacts; and continues to register servicewomen past and present.

DONATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS: Donations and registrations of servicewomen can be sent to: Women In Military Service For America Memorial, Dept. 560, Washington, DC, 20042-0560. Telephone: 800-222-2294 or 703-533-1155. FAX: 703-931-4208. E-mail: hq@womensmemorial.org. Web site www.womensmemorial.org. Commemorative coins can be ordered by calling 800-222-2294. The Foundation is a registered participant in the Combined Federal Campaign, the annual workplace fund raising drive conducted by the US government for all military, civilian agency and postal workers worldwide and the National Capital Area United Way Campaign. In state and corporate campaigns, donors may designate “Women In Military Service Memorial Foundation” on their pledge cards.

SOURCE: womensmemorial.org

WOMEN IN THE IRAQ WAR

In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, women have continued to serve in America’s military, and have gained rights not allowed in previous conflicts. When remembering the victims of that 9/11 attack, we must also remember the sacrifices these women have made. Pro- or anti-war opinions do not matter. The fact is that these ladies deserve our respect and our gratitude as they continue to struggle not only to serve their President, but their gender. I urge you to visit icasualties.org and read through the list of the female fatalities to date in the Iraq War. Their legacy for equality can only be carried on if we carry it for them in our memories.

Female Fatalities

War Casualty List

9/11, Iraq War, women in the military, Women’s Memorial Fund, female casualties, Wilma Vaught, war casualties

Pratibha Patil was elected India’s first female president on Saturday. Though the office is viewed as mostly ceremonial, the election is seen as a positive step for the country’s girls and women. You can find the full story in Sydney Morning Herald article. With America facing the opportunity to elect it’s own first female head-of-state, it makes me if a country that claims to be a progressive as ours is ready for such a change. Only the next year will tell if we are.

women, politics, elections, India, president

Turkey’s Brothels Produce Two Election Candidates

Two former prostitutes are running for seats in Turkey’s July 22 election to raise awareness about the stigma sex workers face in the nation. With little chance for political victory, they say their goal is to change society instead.

How could this not catch my eye? The cover story on Women’s eNews is a compelling one indeed. This prostitution system that is in place in parts of Europe is unfamiliar to most Americans. There, prostitution is government-run in such countries, offering health benefits and even retirement. But the downside to such a life, as mentioned in the article, is that you forced to register with the police. Such a record is used when running background checks on you and your family members and is used as a way to screen out undesirables.

In a way that is similar to the United States, there is a negative stigma that surrounds workers in the industry. In a way for them, it is a catch-22 because their government funds the occupation, along with benefits and retirement but society treats the workers as outcasts. I find it ironic that in society that mostly consist of strict Muslim’s, prostitution is even a legal way to earn a living.

Another disturbing fact is that many of these women do not chose their occupation. Like the two women discussed in the article, both were sold by their families into prostitutions as young girls. They are then forced to work to pay off their sale price. Once their debt is paid, they are free to leave. Unfortunately, society is not welcoming them with open arms.

These women admit that the chances of winning are slim to none, their goal goes beyond votes. Their goal is to raise awareness about the inhumane way women are treated under the government controlled prostitution business. They also want to show that they aren’t bad people as their society would have you believe. If they are able to at least get people thinking about the problem, that is the first step to change.

women, prostitution, Turkey, government, sex, politics

No, it’s not what you think. But there does seem to be some gender role reversal going on with the Democratic presidential candidates. As most of you know, gender itself is about the cultural views of the roles of men and women and less about the actual biological sex of the person. Terms like masculine and feminine refer to personality traits commonly associated with one gender or another.

Here is what some are saying about the gender roles of the two Democratic front-runners:

Hillary is from Mars, Obama is from Venus - Salon.com

Clara Oleson, an Iowa Democrat and former labor lawyer, explained all these distinctions on a riverbank in Iowa City last week, while waiting to hear Clinton speak to a crowd of about 1,000. “Obama is the female candidate. Obama is the woman,” she said, after admitting that she was one of his supporters. “He is the warm candidate, self-deprecating, soft, tender, sad eyes, great smile.”

So what does that make Hillary Clinton? “She is the male candidate — in your face, authoritative, know-it-all.” To be clear, Oleson was not doubting the symbolic power that Clinton retains as a woman. But she was calling it as she saw it, using the language of Iowa City, a university town. “It’s what the academes would call the difference between sex and gender,” Oleson explained.

So who will America choose? It’s an anomaly of sorts. Does America want a sensitive man or a powerful woman? I think this election will more of a determining factor than people think. This will show whether it is the gender qualities (such as power normally associated with men, and sensitivity normally associated with women) that people vote for. Or will biological sex always be a factor? 2008 will be a banner year for gender dynamics.

women, men, gender, sex, presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, politics

This week’s great woman in history is….

Jeannette Rankin - (June 11, 1880 - May 18, 1973)

Here are some highlights in Rankin’s life:

• She was the first American woman elected to Congress on November 6, 1916.
• She was the oldest of eleven children.
• Rankin attended Montana State University at Missoula and graduated in 1902 with a bachelor of science degree in biology.
• She was a social worker in Spokane, Washington, in a children’s home.
• She became involved in the woman suffrage movement in 1910.
• Rankin became the first woman to speak before the Montana legislature.
• She organized and spoke for the Equal Franchise Society.
• She went to work for the New York Woman Suffrage Party and in 1912 she became the field secretary of the National American Woman Suffrage Association.
• Rankin was among the thousands of suffragists at the 1913 suffrage march in Washington, D.C., before the inauguration of Woodrow Wilson.
• Only four days after taking office, Jeannette Rankin made history in yet another way: she voted against U.S. entry into World War I.
• She was active in the antiwar movement, often invited to speak or honored by the young antiwar activists and feminists.

For more information: Women’s History, About.com

women, history, politics, Jeannette Rankin, legislature, congress

Frustrated with the lack of representation of women in their government, a group of Australian women have launched a predominantly female political party. The party is called What Women Want and was launched in Brisbane, Australia today. The party wants the opportunity to enhance women’s roles.

The party was launched by Justine Caines, a mother of six, who is running as a party candidate, has been lobbying for improvements in maternity leave provisions. Though the party is female-centered, it does have 38 male members who support the groups goals and ideas the same as the other female members. The party has plans to run Senate candidates in each state and territory and wouldn’t rule out running a male candidate.

So, what could this type of mentality mean for other countries around the world? A successful campaign with a female-centered party could mean a change in the way political parties as a whole are viewed. These types of parties might be able to find a way to focus less on candidates and more on the issues. Eventually,this party may not be just viewed as a party that is focused on women’s issues but a party that is working toward a common goal of equality and fairness within the government. The stigma of being outside of the norm male in politics might lose it’s negative connotation if it is shown to move toward change in a positive way. We wish them the best of luck.

Source: Women launch political party - LAURA ANDERSON, AdelaideNow.com

women, politics, political parties, Australia, female, Brisbane

It shocks and appalls me that people still entertain this woman as a serious authority on right-wing politics. It has become obvious over the years that even the most conservative members of Washington no longer wish to be affiliated with her. Yet she still finds a way to get interviews and publish books. So here again, she has gone and shot off her mouth again. What makes this time notable, though, is that someone took the time to put her in her place.

While Ms. Coulter was on Hardball with Chris Matthews, Elizabeth Edwards, wife of presidential candidate John Edwards, called in and gave her a piece of her mind. I find it a bit painful to watch because I can feel the sincerity that Mrs. Edwards has and the cold responses of Ms. Coulter are disheartening. I think what is made clear here is that in order to make fun of someone and their dead child you have to lack a soul. Hopefully at least some part of this request got through to her.

Ann Coulter vs. Elizabeth Edwards on Hardball

For more information: Ann Coulter Battles Elizabeth Edwards on ‘Hardball’ Over ‘Hate’ Language - Editor & Publisher

women, Ann Coulter, Elizabeth Edwards, politics

Though it is still early and there is still much to be seen regarding the presidential election, I wanted to take a moment to show some important factors women should consider when voting in 2008:

• Women outnumber and outvote men, and candidates are already creating campaigns to woo the female vote and strategists are tailoring campaign issues to focus on women’s concerns, including health care and education.

• Women constitute more than half the population, which makes them highly sought-after voters, political observers say.

• They register and vote in larger numbers than men.

• Although some may be influenced by their sex and thus likely to vote for a woman on the ballot, others are just as likely to vote for a man, observers say.

• in last year’s midterm election, exit polls indicated that proportionally more women than men voted for Democrats, and they were credited with helping Democrats regain control of Congress.

• Married, suburban women historically are more likely to vote than their younger, unmarried counterparts, observers say.

• In the 2004 election, 50 percent of women ages 18-24 voted, compared with 44 percent of the men that age, according to the Center for Information & Research on Civil Learning & Engagement.

• Worldwide, more than 40 countries - but not the United States - have had women in charge of their government. England has had Margaret Thatcher, Ireland has President Mary McAleese and Germany has Chancellor Angela Merkel, to name a few.

• The U.S. lags far behind others in female legislative leadership, ranking 70th out of 139 countries, according to data from Women in National Parliaments.

• Top on the list was Rwanda, with 48.8 percent women in their House and 34.6 percent women in their Senate. In the U.S. Congress, women are 16.3 percent of U.S. House members and 16 percent of the Senate.

• Presidential candidates are creating special groups to try to draw women to their camp. Women for Giuliani. Women for Hillary. Women for McCain. Women for Richardson. Women for Romney. And so on.

Source: Women’s Vote is a big factor in 2008 - Anna M. Tinsley, Miami Herald

women, voting, politics, election, presidential, 2008, voters

It’s lonely at the top. Especially if you are the only female vying for the opportunity to become the first female president. This topic has been debated from all angles but the one I find most interesting is that of the women either for or against Hillary Clinton becoming president. So what’s all the fuss? Shouldn’t women just be happy that a woman is even in the running? Not quite.

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