This bill expresses support for designating June 12, 2026, as "Women Veterans Appreciation Day" to honor the expanding roles and contributions of women in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Jennifer Kiggans
Representative
VA-2
This bill expresses the House of Representatives' support for designating June 12, 2026, as "Women Veterans Appreciation Day." The designation aims to recognize the expanding roles and significant contributions of women in the U.S. Armed Forces. It honors all women veterans for their dedicated military service throughout American history.
New Resolution Designates June 12, 2026, as Women Veterans Appreciation Day to Honor Millions of Female Service Members.
This resolution formally recognizes June 12, 2026, as Women Veterans Appreciation Day, a date chosen to mark the anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act of 1948. The bill aims to honor the service of the more than 2 million women veterans in the United States, acknowledging their roles in every American conflict from the Revolution to the present day. By establishing this day, the House of Representatives seeks to highlight the skill and sacrifice of the fastest-growing segment of the veteran population, which now makes up roughly 10% of all U.S. veterans.
A Legacy of Service
Women have been part of the American military story since the beginning, often in unofficial or disguised roles, but this resolution focuses on the formal path that led to today’s 17% active-duty representation. It traces the timeline from the establishment of the Army Nurse Corps in 1901 to the 1948 law that granted women permanent regular status in the armed forces. For a woman who served in the Persian Gulf or a young officer currently in the Space Force, this day serves as a formal nod to a legacy that was once unrecognized. The resolution also encourages veterans to record their experiences through the Veterans History Project, ensuring that a generation of stories from the front lines and flight decks isn't lost to time.
Facing Modern Realities
Beyond the ceremonies, the resolution acknowledges the specific and often difficult hurdles women face during and after their service. It explicitly mentions that approximately one in three women veterans enrolled in VA healthcare report experiencing military sexual trauma. By including this in the official text, the bill moves beyond simple praise and recognizes the complex reality of the female military experience. For a veteran navigating the VA system today, this acknowledgment is a signal that the unique challenges of women in uniform are being viewed as a central part of the national conversation on veterans' affairs, rather than a footnote.