This show is about the history of women in the military. There are also a few notable women from those time periods. Military has been a part of me for ten years now. I wanted to mix my military background with these pieces. These posters are redesigned and re-imagined from the time periods in which they belong. The pieces are based off of original posters and slogans from the various eras. This series is to educate people on the background of women in the military and how far women have proven themselves. This show is being hung on my ten year anniversary of joining the Illinois Army National Guard, November 23, 2004. This holds a significant mile stone in my life and having is celebrated in an art gallery is special to me. I enjoyed making these posters that represent women’s history in the military. 

~ Military History of Women ~ Displayed at Northeastern Illinois Universtiy 

~ November 23, 2014 to December 5, 2014 ~ Elizabeth Deahl

 

 

 

 

 

Timeline Events

 

• 1775–1783 - During the Revolutionary War, women follow their husbands to war out of necessity. Many serve in military camps as laundresses, cooks, and nurses but only with permission from the commanding officers and only if they proved they were helpful.

• Sept 1776 - Molly Hays aka molly pitcher, went to battle with her husband,nursed the wounded, carried water to the soldiers, and when her husband laid wounded by the cannon, she took over in his stead, and proceeded to fire the cannon. Ergo, the nickname Molly Pitcher, due to carrying a pitcher of water.  “These are the times that tries Men’s souls.” ~ Molly Ludwig Hays

• April 26, 1777 - Sybil Ludington's father, Colonel Henry Ludington, received a messenger, that the British troops raided Danbury, Connecticut. Sybil, as the oldest child took her horse and a stick and took off into the night. Her ride started about 9pm and ended about dawn. She rode over 40 miles. She used the stick to prod her horse and knock on doors. When she arrived back home exhausted and rain soaked, 400 of her father's men were ready to march. She did this all at the age of 16yr old.

• 1782–1783 - Deborah Sampson serves for over a year in General Washington’s army disguised as a man. After being wounded, her gender is discovered and she is honorably discharged. Later, she receives a military pension from the Continental Congress.

• 1861–1865 During the American Civil War, women serve as matrons (administrators)of hospitals as well as nurses and cooks in both Union and Confederate battlefield hospitals. Wealthy women help fund permanent hospitals. Dr. Mary Walker becomes the only women to receive the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest military honor. Women also serve as spies and some, disguised as men, serve as soldiers.

• 1914 - Red Cross Nurse - Nurses took care of the wounded from the Revolutionary War to the Present. They were the angels on the battle field that the soldiers looked for.

• 1917-1918 - During last two years of World War I, women are allowed to join the military. 33,000 women serve as nurses and support staff officially in the military and more than 400 nurses die in the line of duty.

• 1941-1944 - women were official enlisted into the military and received full benefits. During World War II, more than 400,000 women serve at home and abroad as mechanics, ambulance drives, pilots, administrators, nurses, and in other non-combat roles. Eighty-eight women are captured and held as POWs (prisoners of war). WAVEs, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service,  SPARs - coast guard, Women's reserve, motto - (Semper Paratus-Always Ready). WACs - Women's Army Corp, WASPs - Women's Air Force Service Pilots,

• 1948 - Congress passes the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act granting women permanent status in the military subject to military authority and regulations and entitled to veterans benefits.

• Korean - 1950-1953 - During the Korean War, over 50,000 women serve at home and abroad. 500 Army nurses serve in combat zones and many Navy nurses serve on hospital ships.

• Vietnam - 1962-1972 - During the Vietnam War, over 7,000 women serve, mostly as nurses in all five divisions of the military, Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. All were volunteers.

• 1973 - The military draft (only for males) ends and an all-volunteer military is formed creating opportunities for women.

• 1991–1992 - During the Persian Gulf War, more than 41,000 women are deployed to the combat zone. Two are taken captive.

• 2005 - During the “War on Terror,” Sergeant Leigh Ann Hester becomes the first woman awarded the Silver Star for combat action.

• 2008 - 16,000 women are serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Germany, Japan, and other related areas. For the first time in US military history, a woman is promoted to the rank of four-star general. She is promoted by the US Army.