Looking Back

From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History 

accessible at www.djnfoundation.org

62 | NOVEMBER 3 • 2022 

T

wenty-five years ago in Washington, 
D.C., the Women in Military Service 
for America Memorial was officially 
dedicated on Oct. 18, 1997. Often referred to 
as the “Women’s Military Memorial,
” it is a 
monument to all women who have served in 
America’s Armed Forces. 
In one respect, perhaps, the many years of 
planning for the Memorial reflects the long path 
women have trod for equality 
in the U.S. Armed Forces. The 
president of the Memorial, Phyllis 
J. Wilson, voiced the opinion of 
many women who had served when 
she spoke at the American Legion’s 
National Convention in 1997: “I 
was a soldier and I didn’t feel like 
I needed a place for women only,
” 
Wilson said. “I was wrong. America 
still does not quite get that there are 3 million 
women who have defended this nation. We get to 
tell their stories individually and collectively.
” 
I thought that the Women’s Military Memorial 
would be an appropriate topic for a Looking Back 
column, so I searched the William Davidson 
Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History for 
reports about the Memorial. I must admit, I was 
a bit surprised — I did not find a single story on 
the topic. This, too, may be reflective of the long 
struggle for recognition of women in the U.S. 
Armed Forces.
However, I did find stories about Jewish women, 
including Michiganders, serving in the U.S. mili-
tary. For example, “Women Warriors” in the May 
28, 1999, issue of the JN addressed an exhibit about 
Jewish women in the military that was displayed at 
the National Museum of American Jewish Military 
History in Washington, D.C. (May 28, 1999, JN). 
One of the featured women was Ethel Gladstone, 
who served as a nurse with the U.S. Fifth Army 
Corps in France during World War I. Indeed, 
women have aided the wounded in all American 
wars, often serving in dangerous areas near the 
front lines or working amidst those with infectious 
diseases.
During World War II, many women served 
in the Waves and WACS, auxiliaries to the U.S. 
Navy and Army. Detroiter Sylvia Granader was 
one of 1,074 women selected to be an Army Air 

Corps Service Pilot, 
a WASP (Nov. 22, 
2002, JN). She, like 
other female pilots, 
flew unarmed air-
planes to Europe 
or dragged targets 
behind their planes for 
machine-gun practice 
for bomber gunners. 
Several were shot down 
in the process. 
The Women’s Armed Services Integration Act 
of 1948 was a major step forward for women. It 
allowed for the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces 
to directly recruit women into their ranks, rather 
than into auxiliaries. However, combat roles for 
women were still prohibited until recently. Maj. 
Gen. Jeannie Marie Leavitt became the U.S. Air 
Force’s first female fighter pilot in 1993 and was 
the first woman to command a USAF combat 
fighter wing. 
 Today, women can be found in just about 
every military occupation where U.S. Forces 
are deployed, including Jewish women from 
Michigan. A recent JN cover story featured Rachel 
Baker in the National Guard (Aug. 4, 2022).
By the way, many American women, like Yael 
Kidron, also serve in the Israeli Defense Forces 
(March 18, 2010, JN).
The Women in Military Service for America 
Memorial is an important monument. It is a per-
manent thank you to all the women who have 
served. 

Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation archives, 
available for free at www.djnfoundation.org.

Mike Smith
Alene and 
Graham Landau 
Archivist Chair

$200 Aug. 4-10, 2022 / 7-13 Av 5782
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See page 12

The Women’s Military Memorial

Women in Military Service 
for America Memorial

