While not always recognized for their efforts and service, women have been instrumental in every conflict in American history, both on the battlefield and at home. This page is dedicated to the many significant roles of women in military service.
Photos from an unidentified Wisconsin nurse who served in World War I and the early postwar years as a Reconstruction Aide. These nurses helped rehabilitate wounded soldiers. Also shown are American Red Cross insignia and medal from the same era.
July, 1918 magazine calling for women to join the war effort as nurses.
WAVES uniform. The WAVES "Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service" were part of the US Navy Reserves in WWII.
Women's Army Corps Ike jacket to a veteran that served overseas in the ETO.
Collar disc for the Women's Army Corps
WAVES cap and insignia
Recruiting poster from 1943 encouraging women to join the Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). Each branch of the service had opportunities for women to serve.
Women's Army Corps medal
Souvenir wooden shoes and prayer book of a WWII Army Nurse, who served aboard hospital ships during and after the conflict.
WWII-era WAVES rates
WWII WAVES collar insignia
Uniform and nursing school graduation cape from a Chicago nurse. She served on hospital ships throughout WWII and later founded the Chicago chapter of Mothers of WWII.