Dunleavy proclaims Women Veterans Day, citing more than 10,000 women veterans in Alaska

Gov. Mike Dunleavy proclaimed Monday, Nov. 9, Women Veterans Day in Alaska. His proclamation says more than 10,000 women veterans call the state home. Last year's proclamation cited the same figure, and his office counted more than 9,000 in 2020.

The Alaska State Legislature wrote the day into state law in 2000, declaring Nov. 9 of each year Women Veterans Day. Dunleavy has issued a proclamation for the day in earlier years, including 2019, 2020 and 2022.

The proclamation notes women have served in every U.S. war and conflict since the American Revolution, though their service was traditionally left unrecognized. Women gained permanent military status only in 1948, when President Harry Truman signed the Women's Armed Services Integration Act.

It asks Alaskans "to recognize and honor the valor and contributions of generations of American servicewomen and their families."

The proclamation also pays tribute to Col. Mary Louise Rasmuson, calling her a trailblazer who served as Women's Army Corps commandant from 1942 to 1962 and dedicated her life to advancing opportunities for women in the military and in Alaska. According to a federal law, she joined the Army in 1942 and directed the corps from 1957 to 1962. The main campus of the Alaska VA Healthcare System in Anchorage bears her name.

The proclamation cites the Operation Mary Louise Project, launched in 2020 to make women veterans more visible and make sure they get the recognition and support they are entitled to. It also cites the Center for Women Veterans, whose mission it describes as improving access to VA benefits, services and opportunities through education, outreach and collaboration.