Browse Exhibits (3 total)

While all women in the United States Armed Forces share a history of discrimination based on gender, women of color have faced barriers of gender, race and traditional cultural values in their pursuit of opportunity for service in the armed forces. Through persistent efforts in demanding inclusion for their right to serve, women of color have seen their roles across society and all sectors tremendously expanded, including their presence in today’s military.

Born during a time when our country seeks healing amid persistent calls to dismantle systemic racism, this exhibit seeks to highlight the diversity of women of color in the nation’s defense. Across the decades and for all the challenges, women of color still found meaning and value in serving in uniform despite the military’s shortcomings and history of systemic discrimination on multiple fronts—from race, gender, ethnicity and national origin, to sexual orientation and gender identity.

According to a 2018 government report, women of color represented nearly 61 percent of enlisted women in the United States Armed Forces and about 38 percent of women officers.

This exhibition is made possible by the generous support of:

Presenting Sponsor

Comcast NBCUniversal

 with additional support provided by:

Northrop Grumman

GEICO Military

Tito’s Handmade Vodka

Cerner Corporation

Nurses in the Spanish-American War is a virtual exhibition showcasing materials from The Military Women's Memorial Collection which illustrate the vital role of contract nurses in the Spanish-American War. These nurses laid the groundwork for the creation of the Army Nurse Corps which later paved the way for the full participation of servicewomen in the nation's defense.

Thank you to Iron Mountain’s Living Legacy Initiative for digitizing the Military Women's Memorial Spanish-American War collections.