03/23/2026
There’s not enough honor and acknowledgment in our culture yet for women in military. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. And when you are out and about, never make the mistake of assuming the woman is the spouse. She may be a military spouse, too. But often she IS the service member. Honor and credit where honor and credit is due! Those of us in the public become the change by expected women to be the ones serving and veterans as much as the male. Let’s support them!
~Dr. Elizabeth
“Love Well”
Women’s Military History Week | The Face of Courage
For generations, we’ve been taught what courage looks like—but too often, we forget: women are also the face of courage.
From the earliest days of our Nation to today, women have served—on the front lines, in hospitals, in code rooms, in cockpits, and in command—often overlooked, always essential.
During Women's Military History Week, we are grateful for the opportunity to shine a light on their stories. Every story shared brings us closer to a fuller, truer history—one where courage looks like all of us.
Today, we honor Deborah Sampson, American Revolution.
In 1782, Sampson, disguised as Robert Shurtleff, served in the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment. Stationed at West Point, she served in Captain George Webb’s Light Infantry, taking on dangerous scouting missions to track British activity. She helped lead a small infantry expedition into neutral territory, engaging directly with Loyalist forces. One daring raid led to the capture of 15 Tory fighters.
In every attempt to avoid discovery, she even removed a musket ball from her own leg. Eventually, she was found out and was honorably discharged. Sampson became one of the first American woman to receive a military pension.
Her story is one of countless examples of courage—stories we are proud to preserve and share every day at the Military Women’s Memorial.
