During Women’s History Month, I want to honor some of our nation’s heroes, who have too often gone unsung, uncelebrated: Our proud women Veterans.

Women have been a part of our military history from the beginning. From women who disguised themselves as men in order to serve, like Deborah Sampson during the Revolution, Sarah Emma Edmonds during the Civil War, and Cathay Williams who joined Buffalo Soldiers—to the incredible women generals I nominated earlier this month to serve as the second and third combatant commanders in history: Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost and Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson—the women who have worn the uniform of the United States military served our country with bravery and honor.

They faced the same dangers and made the same sacrifices to serve. And they are entitled to the same benefits and respect as every other Veteran.

As I’ve often said, we as a nation have many obligations, but we only have one truly sacred obligation: To properly prepare and equip the women and men we send into harm’s way, and to care for them and their families, both while deployed and when they return.

Every single Veteran deserves world-class health care and the support that they have earned — no matter their gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, or anything else. We owe you. It’s as simple as that.

Today, as women make up a larger and larger proportion of Veterans, we have to continually improve our ability to meet the unique health needs and care challenges women Veterans face.

We have to keep working to ensure that all women feel respected and are safe from sexual assault and harassment—in our military and in the VA system.

Nothing should stand between our women Veterans and the support and services they have earned.

To all our women Veterans, you represent the best of America. Service. Duty. Honor. Country. It’s who you are.

And on behalf of all Americans, thank you. We can never fully repay you, but I promise that my Administration will always have your back. Thank you, and may God protect our troops.

More information

Read the president’s proclamation at https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/03/01/a-proclamation-on-womens-history-month-2021/.

Topics in this story

VA Women’s HealthWomen VeteransWomen's History Month Celebration

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6 Comments

  1. Carolyn Inman Talbert March 28, 2021 at 21:08

    I was one of the first Vietnam era WAF that gave birth to my son at Mather Airforce Base 11/24/72 served at Clark Airforce Base when chemicals were being spayed all of my illnesses started with abuse by my husband who also was Airforce then there was no help for Active Women of color serving our country and still find it hard to get from HISA to keep me safe in my home. So some women still aren’t treated the same

  2. Joseph Anthony Tinervia March 25, 2021 at 09:54

    Thank You for the recognition and support of us who fought for the rights and freedoms that we hold so dear!!
    As I enter my “golden years” I feel truly blessed that my VA and their Caring Support. have given me the dignity and assistance as my health has needed .
    It has been a helping event that I never was given when I returned from active duty in the USN Pacific Fleet and Vietnam.
    Please continue to be the best supporting and caring government that we fought so hard to preserve.
    Thank You

  3. Jeanette MARTIN March 23, 2021 at 17:49

    Thank you so much for the concern, care and needs of Women Veterans.

  4. Victor Sellers March 23, 2021 at 17:12

    I feel that if it wasn’t for President Trump, no Veterans would even be talked about. I don’t remember Obama or Biden doing anything to better our military or our Veterans. President Trump loved our Troops, our Military, our Veterans, and our Country, but liberals have it all wrong, and don’t care! I pray we survive the next four years.

    • K. Stephens March 25, 2021 at 22:58

      I totally agree. I hope this administration doesn’t cut the VA funding in order to fund social programs benefitting, and encouraging people who don’t lift a finger to earn a living or to better our country.
      We earned our VA Benefits and this administration needs to respect us Veteran’s and our military forces and provide us the care we earned.
      Goodness knows most of this administration wouldn’t make the sacrifices that we did.

      • k corbelle April 8, 2021 at 11:01

        most people on welfare are whites living in small towns, so stop repeating drab misinformation.

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