SPRINGFIELD – To recognize the critical role of women in U.S. Armed Forces, State Senators Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) and Jil Tracy (R-Quincy), co-chairs of the Senate Women’s Caucus, are sponsoring a resolution to declare June 12 as Women’s Veterans Day in Illinois.

“Women have sacrificed much for our nation while serving at home and abroad,” Gillespie said. “We are grateful for their service and honor the contributions of the over two million women veterans who have served our country.”

House Joint Resolution 64 declares June 12, 2022, as Women’s Veterans Day and pays homage to the signing of the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, which formally allowed women to serve as regular members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The act was signed by President Harry S. Truman on June 12, 1948.

Women have served in the military in an official capacity since the formation of the U.S. Army Nurse Corps in 1901, however have served informally since the inception of our nation’s military during the American Revolution.

“Women have officially been part of the U.S. Armed Forces since the Army Nurse Corps in 1901 but have also served our nation's military in so many other capacities. House Joint Resolution 64 notes women serving while disguised as male soldiers during the American Revolution and Civil War, as nurses in World War I, and as combat helicopter pilots in Afghanistan,” Tracy said. “It’s truly fitting that we honor women’s wide-ranging contributions to military history.”

House Joint Resolution 64 further urges that Women’s Veterans Day be observed with appropriate programs, services and activities to support the more than 50,000 women veterans in Illinois. The Women Veterans Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs, offers support services to meet the needs of women veterans.

House Joint Resolution 64 was adopted by both chambers without opposition and is effective immediately.

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