Bill to Declare National Women Veterans Recognition Day Passes Committee

Today, during the Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee Meeting, a bill to designate National Women Veterans Recognition Day in Connecticut was passed. This bill now moves to the Senate for consideration.

Senate Bill 721, “An Act Designating National Women Veterans Recognition Day,” sponsored by Senator MD Rahman (D-Manchester), would proclaim June 12th of each year as National Women Veterans Recognition Day, to recognize the significant contributions of women who bravely and honorably served in the United Sates armed forces.

“Women have played critical roles in the military for decades, but their contributions have often been overlooked or underappreciated. Recognizing them ensures their service is properly honored alongside their male counterparts,” said Senator Rahman. “Their courage, sacrifices, and unwavering dedication to our country deserve recognition and appreciation every day. This day will ensure their stories are told, their service is acknowledged, and their contributions are celebrated, inspiring future generations of women to continue breaking barriers and making history.”

According to the Army Women’s Foundation, June 12 is Women Veterans Recognition Day and each year on June 12, the observance is celebrated in recognition of the anniversary of the 1948 Women’s Armed Services Integration Act signing. The first Women Veterans Day was held on June 12, 2018, marking the 70th anniversary of the groundbreaking Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, signed into law by President Harry S. Truman on June 12, 1948. That law enabled women to serve as permanent, regular members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force.

In written testimony submitted by the Alison Weir, the Executive Director of the Connecticut Veterans Legal Center and a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, she wrote, “it is more important than ever to recognize the contributions women have made to in service in the military, dating back to the Revolution. It is not “woke” to acknowledge the sacrifices women have made in service to the nation, and their role in ensuring the effectiveness and lethality of the U.S. Armed Forces.”