Senator Rahman Applauds Passage of Legislation Establishing National Women Veterans Recognition Day

Sen. MD Rahman, D-Manchester, voted Tuesday with the state Senate to pass legislation he sponsored to designate June 12 of each year as National Women Veterans Recognition Day in Connecticut, to recognize the significant contributions of women who served in the United States armed forces.

Senate Bill 721, “An Act Designating National Women Veterans Recognition Day,” passed the Senate on a unanimous vote Tuesday afternoon and will now move to the House for consideration.

“I’m proud to have sponsored this legislation on behalf of women veterans across Connecticut and I thank my colleagues for their support,” Senator Rahman said. “Women serve in critical roles throughout our nation’s armed forces, and I hope that observing this day of recognition will demonstrate Connecticut’s appreciation for their courage and the sacrifices they have made for our nation.”

Women Veterans Recognition Day was first commemorated by the New York State Assembly in 2008 to mark the anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, signed into law by President Harry S. Truman in 1948. This law enabled women to serve as permanent, regular members of the armed forces. Prior to its passage, women were restricted to serving as nurses during peacetime and all other women were sent home at the conclusion of each conflict.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, states and territories that observe Women Veterans Recognition Day include Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Utah, Virgin Islands, and Wisconsin.