By: Hon. Megan Goldish
Women have served in America’s armed forces since the nation’s earliest wars. Yet for generations, their service was often performed without the legal recognition, authority, or status afforded to their male counterparts.
That changed on June 12, 1948, when the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act established women as permanent members of the Armed Forces under federal law.
Women Veterans Recognition Day commemorates that pivotal moment while also recognizing the women whose service and leadership continue to shape our military and legal systems today.
Read the full article in the WBAI Spring 2026 Newsletter on pages 22-25 to learn more about the history behind June 12 and why this important day still matters.