The Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation, Inc., is the nation’s only major memorial to honor the some 2.5 million uniformed women who have served in the nation’s defense. Its primary mission is to chronicle the history of women’s service in the military and tell the story of the women who have served. Located at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, the memorial and its 33,000-square-foot education facility features an exhibit gallery, 196-seat theater, bookstore, never-before-seen artifacts, period uniforms, and rare photographs and memorabilia, beginning with the American Revolution.
At the heart of the memorial is the Register, the computerized database of past and present servicewomen. This interactive system, which includes the pictures, awards and decorations, and memorable experiences of nearly 250,000 uniformed women, is accessible by visitors and is designed to grow as women continue to register.
The Women’s Memorial Foundation, the nonprofit organization that built and now maintains the memorial, presides over the world’s largest archive related to women’s military service. The foundation also manages a vigorous oral history program and maintains an extensive library of books by and about military women. The archive, library, and oral history files are available to scholars, researchers, and journalists. To learn more about the Memorial, its programs and activities, membership eligibility and how to join, visit the Web site at www.womensmemorial.org, or call 800-222-2294/703-533-1155.