Women Marines Uniform Collection; Our History our Service

05/30/2026

The Uniform Collection honor the Marine Corps service of Corporal Yoli Vega by displaying the uniform of her era during her retirement from Judson Independent School District after 26 years of teaching at Hartman Elementary School.

Yoli Vega was born on Septembex 22, 1958, in Harbor City, California. After graduating high school in June of 1976, she worked Civil Service (Immigration and Naturalization Service) from January 1977 - February 1978.

Yoli Vega joined the United States Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program in January 1978. Corporal Vega served until February 1981.

05/25/2026

MEMORIAL DAY

HONOR. REMEMBER. NEVER FORGET

On this Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice protects our freedom and preserves the values we hold dear.

11/14/2025

Follow my TikTok profile to learn more about Women Marines!

Check out rosaosborn1’s video.

11/11/2025

The Women Marines Uniform Collection, Our History Our Service, was showcased at VFW Post 8905 for the Marine Corps Birthday Cake cutting ceremony, sponsored by the Marine Corps League The Sgt MJ Marty Gonzalez 1485 Detachment. It is an honor to be invited as it aligns with the organization's mission to continue educating and preserving the history of Marines.

Happy Birthday Marines!!

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11/10/2025

From the founder of the Women Marines Uniform Collection, Our History, Our Service, CWO4 Rosa Osborn, Retired:

Happy 250th birthday to all the Marines who've served, past and present; thank you for your commitment and sacrifice. And to all the families and friends of the Marine Corps, thank you for your unwavering support.

11/09/2025

The Women Marines Uniform Collection, Our History Our Service, was exhibited in celebration of the 250th Marine Corps Birthday Ball, sponsored by the Marine Corps Coordinating Council, Houston, Texas.

The collection featured women Marines uniform from WWII to present with a special feature of Drill Instructors and recruit training.

11/08/2025

The Women Marines Uniform Collection, Our History Our Service will be on exhibit at the 250th Marine Corps Birthday Ball at Woodlands Waterway Marriott tonight, the 8th of November.

A fundraiser is underway, see attached picture. The raffle will be at the ball (DO NOT HAVE TO BE PRESENT TO WIN). Please support this organization preserve the history of the Marine Corps.

11/07/2025

Did you know - November 7th marks the anniversary of the approval to form the Marine Corps Women's Reserve in 1942 by Commandant Lt. General Thomas Holcomb.

This event was a significant step towards women's integration into the Marine Corps, although they would not become a permanent part of the regular Corps until the Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 was passed.

The anniversary of the Women Marines Reserve is February 13, 1943, the date the Marine Corps Women's Reserve was established. This date is celebrated annually to recognize the contributions of women in the Marine Corps, particularly their service in World War II to "Free a Man to Fight". But what about the contributions women Marine made in World War I ? What about all the women Marines?

Anniversaries for military branches and their components typically commemorate the legislative act or foundational moment that created the institution, rather than the "first" individual to join, which can sometimes be hard to definitively verify across all potential historical contexts.

Opha May Johnson made history, when she was the first woman to enlist in the Marine Corps Reserve on August 13, 1918. While a significant "first", her enlistment date August 13, 1918, is distinct from the Reserve's official establishment date August 29, 1916. The anniversary of the Women Marines Reserve is February 13, 1943, the date the Marine Corps Women's Reserve was established.

The anniversary of the Marine Corps Women Reserve is celebrated on February to mark the legal and institutional founding of the Marine Corps Women Reserve, a date that came after Opha May Johnson's enlistment.

This date is celebrates the contributions of women in the Marine Corps, particularly their service in World War II. But what about women in World War I ?

As the Marine Corps continue to integrate in all area, should we celebrated a segregated organization as the Women Marine Reserves or should we celebrate women Marines, the date that Opha May Johnson enlisted?

11/07/2025

As we closer to the Marine Corps Birthday, I want to recognize the uniform history of women Marines starting with the legendary Lucy Brewer and women Marines who serve during World War I. All the photos are of women Marines in uniform from World War I. Please share post.

Legend has it that the first woman Marine was Lucy Brewer who supposedly served, disguised as man, on board the Constitution in the war of 1812. While there is no evidence that Miss Brewer ever wore a Marine uniform, there can be no question about Opha May Johnson (no available pictures in uniform), who on 13 August 1918 enrolled in the Marine Corps to become the first woman Marine.

During World War I, women Marines didn’t have a uniform designed specifically for them. Women were given men’s coats and those coats were tailored to them. The tailor designed was made by the Quartermaster of the Marine Reservists. The tailors were instructed to make two-piece suits (jacket and skirt) of green wool in winter and tan khaki in the summer. Accessories included a specially designed shirt, regulation necktie and overcoat, brown high-topped shoes for winter and oxfords for spring and summer - the first low shoes most of them had ever worn. Matching overseas caps on which they proudly wore the globe and anchor insignia were the preferred headgear; however, during inclement weather the women reservists were permitted to wear campaign hats. Raincoats, gloves, and purse were not issued, and while old photographs show some women wearing gloves, handbags were not permitted on any occasion.