Governor Proclaims Women's Veterans Day 2023

WHEREAS, June 12, 1948, marked the date that women were officially allowed to serve as regular and permanent members of the armed forces in the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and the Coast Guard; and

WHEREAS, women have always played a role in America’s military conflicts, beginning their service as washer women and later overseeing massive hospitals as Civil War nurses; and

WHEREAS, it took decades for the restrictions placed on their service capacity to change, but eventually women were able to participate in the armed forces during peacetime; and

WHEREAS, by 1970, women's roles in the military expanded, finally allowing them to rise to command roles in non-combat units; it was not until 2013 that women achieved full status in the military and were granted the right to serve in direct ground combat roles; and

WHEREAS, currently, there are approximately 2 million female veterans who reside in the State of North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, we owe an inexpressible debt to our current and past servicewomen who have selflessly served so that we may live free; their unquestioned loyalty and valor will undoubtedly inspire future generations;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 12, 2023, as “WOMEN’S VETERANS DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.