2023 Women Veterans Day Proclamation
WHEREAS, 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the groundbreaking Women's Armed Services
Integration Act, which was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman on June 12, 1948, enabling women to serve as permanent, regular members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force; and
WHEREAS, women veterans are one of the fastest-growing demographics within the United States military and are expected to reach nearly 20 percent of the veteran population by 2045; and
WHEREAS, Washington state is home to more than 56,000 women veterans who have served our
country with honor and dignity, often in extremely dangerous situations, including being taken as POWs from World War II through Operation Desert Storm, Operation Noble Eagle, and Operation Enduring Freedom; and
WHEREAS, through their selfless sacrifice, courage, dedication, and honorable military service,
women veterans have safeguarded our heritage and freedom while providing valuable service and expertise to our society; and
WHEREAS, women veterans have been leaders not only in securing their own rights of suffrage and equal opportunity but also at the forefront of numerous major progressive social change movements in history, paving the way for future generations to enjoy the unalienable rights, duties, and responsibilities afforded
equally to all residents of the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, each woman veteran is extraordinary in her own way, proving that women working
inside the home or outside in academia, science, technology, business, labor, governance, and more maintain critical roles in every sphere of society; and
WHEREAS, Washington is committed to supporting and recognizing the bravery of all women
veterans, including those who made the ultimate sacrifice and laid down their lives to protect our state and
country;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jay Inslee, Governor of the state of Washington, do hereby proclaim June 12, 2023, as Women Veterans Day
in Washington, and I encourage all people in our state to join me in honoring women veterans for their outstanding achievements and invaluable contributions to our state. Signed this 22nd day of May,2023
Governor Jay Inslee
2023 Women Veterans Day Proclamation
