WASHINGTON – From the women who helped support the Continental Army during the Revolution, to the women serving in our Armed Forces today, America’s military women have long demonstrated courage, patriotism, and leadership. 

In honor of their courage and sacrifice, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) donated $250,000 to the Military’s Women’s Memorial during their annual convention, the 132nd Continental Congress, which was recently held at the DAR’s national headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Funds will be used for a state-of-the-art renovation of the Military Women’s Memorial, which honors and tells the stories of women, past and present, who serve our nation through the Armed Forces.

“We are so delighted to continue our long-standing support for the Military Women’s Memorial and help honor the more than 3 million women who have served our country since the American Revolution,” said Pamela Rouse Wright, DAR President General. “DAR members around the world are devoted to service initiatives that support our nation’s active duty servicemembers and veterans, and this gift is part of our National Society’s commitment to honoring all women who serve.”

More than 3,500 attendees of the 190,000 member National Society watched the donation presentation on National Defense Night during DAR Continental Congress at DAR Constitution Hall. The presentation was preceded by a keynote address from Lieutenant General Nina M. Armagno, Director of Staff for the United States Space Force.

“We are embarking on a new chapter and a renewed commitment to our mission by launching a multitude of programs and initiatives, including a much-needed renovation of the Memorial’s interior,” said retired Army CW5 Phyllis J. Wilson, President of the Military Women’s Memorial, when receiving the donation.

“The renovation will reflect on the past and inspire the future by bringing to life the many diverse stories of servicewomen, ensuring their legacies live on and their rightful place in history is preserved,” said Wilson.

To fully engage visitors, the redesign of the Memorial’s interior will incorporate the latest technologies. DAR will be a major sponsor of the “Defending a New Nation” gallery, the second of seven planned gallery spaces. “Defending a New Nation” will explore women’s military service from the nation’s founding through the end of the 19th century.

Four physical interactive exhibits will engage visitors in the fascinating history of women trailblazers throughout the American Revolution, Civil War, and Spanish American War. From the women who disguised themselves to serve in battle to the female nurses who played a critical role in treating soldiers, the early years of women’s service with the military encompasses a wide variety of inspiring stories that paved the way for women today.

DAR members have supported the Military Women’s Memorial since its founding. Located at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, the Memorial and its 33,000 sq. ft. education center is the nation’s only major national memorial to honor all women who have defended the nation—from the Revolution to the present. It opened in 1997.

The heart of the Memorial is the Register—an interactive database that houses the individual stories of servicewomen, past and present. To date, some 309,000 women’s records of service are preserved in the Register, which is accessible to visitors and online. To assure the story of women’s service to the nation is complete and every servicewoman takes her rightful and visible place in history, a nationwide registration campaign is underway to find and register all 3 million women who have served, and everyone is encouraged to help.

The Memorial’s exhibit gallery chronicles the collective history of military women’s service from the American Revolution to the present. The Hall of Honor at the Memorial pays tribute to servicewomen who were killed in action, died in the line of duty, held prisoner of war, or are recipients of our nation’s highest awards for service and bravery.

Learn more about DAR at www.dar.org and about the Military Women’s Memorial at www.womensmemorial.org.

###

About the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)

One of the largest patriotic women’s service organizations in the world, DAR has 190,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters across the country and several foreign countries. DAR members promote historic preservation, education and patriotism via commemorative events, scholarships and educational initiatives, citizenship programs, service to veterans, meaningful community service and more. For additional information about DAR and its relevant mission, visit www.dar.org.

About the Military Women’s Memorial

The Military Women’s Memorial, located at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, honors and tells the stories of women, past and present, who serve our nation. We are the leading memorial and education center honoring women’s contributions to the service of our nation. As the only historical repository documenting all military women’s service, we educate and inspire through innovative and interactive exhibitions, our world-class collections, and engaging programs and events for all generations. We honor the commitment, contributions and experiences of every woman who serves in, or with, the Armed Forces. To learn more about the Military Women’s Memorial, visit womensmemorial.org.