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June 12, 2026
Women’s Veteran Day marks the anniversary of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, enacted June 12, 1948. It is a United States law that enabled women to serve as permanent, regular members of the armed forces in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and the recently formed Air Force. Prior to this act, women, with the exception of nurses, served in the military only in times of war. During World War II, over 150,000 women had served in the WAVES (the Navy) and the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps and were still serving when the act was enacted.[1] Women also took part in the SPARS, which was created by the Coast Guard, and the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve, during the war.[2] In total, 350,000 American women joined and served during World War II.[3] Section 502 of the act limited service of women by excluding them from aircraft and vessels of the Navy that might engage in combat. [Wikipedia]