Congress Designates June 12, 2025, as “Women Veterans Appreciation Day” to Formally Honor Service

This resolution is straightforward: it formally designates June 12, 2025, as "Women Veterans Appreciation Day." The core purpose is to officially recognize the service and sacrifice of women who have served in the U.S. military throughout history, acknowledging their contributions from the Revolutionary War to today’s active-duty combat roles. While it doesn't change any laws or funding, this designation is about visibility and recognition for a population that is often overlooked.

The History and the Numbers

The resolution spends a significant amount of time detailing the long history of women’s service, noting that women have been serving formally since the Army Nurse Corps started in 1901, and informally even earlier. This isn't just a nod to the past; it connects directly to the present reality. Women currently make up about 18 percent of active-duty personnel across the Armed Forces, and they are the fastest-growing segment of the veteran population, now totaling roughly 2.1 million women veterans. This formal appreciation day recognizes that this group is growing and increasingly visible.

More Than Just a Thank You

Beyond the official appreciation, the resolution acknowledges serious, specific issues facing this population. It mentions that approximately one in three women veterans who enroll in VA healthcare report experiencing military sexual trauma (MST) during their service. By including this statistic, the resolution subtly highlights that recognition must go hand-in-hand with addressing the unique challenges women veterans face when transitioning to civilian life or seeking healthcare.

What This Means in Real Life

For the 2.1 million women veterans out there—whether they served in the Gulf War, Vietnam, or last week—this resolution provides a moment of official, national recognition. While it doesn't offer a new benefit, it gives communities, employers, and organizations a specific day to focus on their stories and contributions. The resolution also encourages women veterans to share their experiences through the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress, ensuring their service is documented for future generations. Essentially, this is Congress putting a spotlight on a group of veterans whose service deserves more visibility, ensuring that the appreciation is formal and nationally recognized.