Female Trailblazers Including Korean War Veterans Awarded on 60th Anniversary of Conflict at Event to Support Army Women
WASHINGTON, March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The 5th Annual Hall of Fame Luncheon and Symposium on Capitol Hill will award soldiers who have paved the way for the advancement of Army Women. The event coincides with Women’s History Month, and will also feature panel discussions to advise current servicewomen honing their careers, and take on issues such as women in combat. The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Cannon Caucus Room, with about 200 people expected to attend, including senior women military leaders, corporate executives and military policymakers.
This year’s inductees into the Army Women’s Hall of Fame include the Army Women who served in the Korean War, accepted by retired Brigadier General Anna Mae Hays , the Army’s first woman General. The award marks the 60th anniversary of the conflict. Although this conflict is often called “the forgotten war,” it marked a turning point for American Servicewomen, as they gained increasingly higher positions and served very close to the front lines – a precursor to today’s combat inclusion.
Other inductees at the event include retired General Ann Dunwoody , the Army’s first female four-star General, the first female Command Sergeant Major, Yzetta Nelson (awarded posthumously), and Sergeant Major Carolyn James (awarded posthumously), a groundbreaking Women’s Army Corp member who earned the Bronze Star. Congressman J. Randy Forbes (R-Virginia) will also receive a special recognition award for his support of Army Women. Leon Harris , ABC7/WJLA-TV News Anchor, will emcee the ceremony.
The symposium, called Refocusing Your Future! is designed to engage today’s servicewomen on issues they face when serving, as well as moving onto other careers. Two panels will include corporate and military leaders to begin discussions.
“Army women have come a long way. We want to honor those who’ve blazed the trail for others, and also offer much-needed support for today’s Army Women,” says retired Major General Dee Ann McWilliams , president of the U.S. Army Women’s Foundation.
The Army Women’s Foundation will also present 29 Legacy Scholarships at the event to Army Women and their children earning degrees and certifications to improve their careers.
The U.S. Army Women’s Foundation is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization originally established in 1969 to promote women who serve in the U.S. Army.
Symposium:
Cannon Caucus Room #345 9:00am – 10:45
Networking Session :
Veterans Affairs Committee Room #334 – 11:00-12:30
*Congressman Randy Forbes receives award
Hall of Fame Luncheon:
Cannon Caucus Room #345 – 12:30 – 2:30
*1:30-2:30 Awards Presented
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