Women Marines Association
50 Years Old This Year
We Salute You
In polite society they say you should never ask a lady her
age, but it is okay with WMA. This year (2010) the Women Marines Association
turns 50! The Women Marines Association (WMA) was established in 1960 in Denver,
CO. It's purpose was and is to ensure that our history as Women Marines would
continue to be told and passed on to new generations of Marines. Aside from our
charitable and educational activities, our members enjoy renewing old
friendships and creating new ones. Chapters and members across the nation work
to preserve our history, support our communities and support our military
personnel. WMA hosts a bi-annual convention which gives chapter members and
active duty Marines the opportunity to fellowship, exchange ideas, honor those
who have gone before us and learn about new opportunities within the
organization. This year's convention will be in Denver, CO where WMA began. The
convention runs from
September
2 through
September 7th 2010. For more
information please go to
www.womenmarines.org.
The WMA is a civilian non-profit veterans association comprised of women who
have served or are serving honorably in the United States Marine Corps regular
or reserve components. Since 1918, American women have answered their country's
call to serve. We have served proudly with distinction and honor; each
generation evolving but always retaining our proud traditions.
WMA is a member of the Navy-Marine Corps Council and the National Marine Corps
Council. We also maintain a liaison with Headquarters, Marine Corps. Our
National Historian works closely with the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and
the Marine Corps Association to coordinate an award for the preservation of our
history and an essay contest.
Historical Info
Who was the first Women Marine? Opha May Johnson (August 13, 1918). However, women were only allowed to do clerical work and server in reserve status.
A women reserve was authorized in November 1942 but not publicly announced until February 1943.
The push to free a man to fight allowed the Corps to commission 820 officer and 17,600 enlisted. The significance of women marines made it possible "to put the 6th Division into the field."
When were women eligible to serve on active duty? Not until 1948 was the integration of women into the regular Marines.
Since that time women have achieve the rank of Lt Gen (Carol Mutter), served
as combat pilots, radio operators, truck driver, mechanics, and yes even
admin clerks.
Click
HERE to see how far Women Marines have gone in our glorious Corps