June 11, 2014
Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell honors women veterans
Assemblywoman
Addie J. Russell (D-Theresa) announced that the Assembly passed a commemorative
resolution declaring June 12 as “Women Veterans Recognition Day” in New York (K.1343).
Assemblywoman Russell also honored the brave women veterans who have served our
country by hosting a luncheon in the Legislative Office Building in Albany to
discuss issues that impact female members of the military.
Women
Veterans Recognition Day coincides with the 65th anniversary of the
Women’s Armed Services Act of 1948. Signed into law by President Harry S.
Truman, the law ensured that women would have a permanent place in the Army,
Navy, Air Force and Marines.
“Women have played a crucial but
often unseen role in defending our freedom for generations. From field nurses
to four star generals, women have served bravely and earned the respect and
admiration of their fellow soldiers and a grateful nation. Today we recognize
and honor the unflinching courage and enduring sacrifice of the women who
fought to protect our values and our way of life,” Assemblywoman Russell said.
Across all branches of the Armed
Forces, there are over 63,800 women veterans from New York State. Currently,
women make up nearly 15 percent of our active duty military and as of 2009,
15.5 percent of the officers across the four military branches are women. In
January 2013, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced that the military would
be lifting the policy against women in combat roles, marking a major
advancement in policy. Further, in April 2013, the United States Department of
Veterans Affairs launched a new hotline to assist women veterans, their
families and caretakers (1-855-VA-WOMEN).
In February of this year, the
Assembly passed legislation authored by Assemblywoman Russell requiring that
veteran organizations direct assistance to veterans who experienced Military Sexual
Trauma (MST) during their military service (A.7086). The legislation awaits
passage by the state Senate. As the chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on Women
Veterans and a member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Assemblywoman Russell
has tirelessly fought to promote policies that support veterans.
“As the role of women in our armed forces continues to evolve, so do the
needs of women veterans,” Assemblywoman Russell said. “Gatherings like the one
we had today are opportunities to not only recognize veterans for their
service, but to continue the dialogue about how we can best serve them.”
In honor of women past and present
who have served our country, Assemblywoman Russell also encourages everyone to
visit the New York State Women Veterans Memorial located on Madison Avenue and South Swan Street
in Albany, near
the New York State Museum.
Barbara Beebe,
left, a United States Air Force veteran, spoke at the Women Veterans luncheon
hosted by Assemblywoman Addie J. Russell (D- Theresa). The luncheon coincided
with a resolution passed today by the Assembly proclaiming June 12 as “Women
Veterans Recognition Day” in the State of New York.