Women's History Month
Celebrating Our Nation's Women
Recognizing the Women Heroes that Served Our Country
Women’s History Month is an annual observance held in the United States during the month of March, which celebrates the contributions and achievements of women throughout American history.
Carry The Load joins in this celebration to recognize the significant impacts that women have made in serving our country.
Army Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester was the first female U.S. Army soldier to receive the Silver Star since World War II for her heroic service in Iraq in 2005. Photo credit: Specialist Jeremy D. Crisp, United States Army.
Celebrating Our Women Heroes
Cassandra Stall
Fallen Hero’s Hometown: Pembroke Pines, FL
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Rank: Major
Major Cassandra Stall served in the Army for 15 years. She graduated from the University of Miami and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 2004, then began her career as an Army Signal Corps Officer. Cassie deployed twice to Iraq. She developed Metastatic Breast Cancer, related to toxic exposure while deployed, and eventually passed.
Cassie had a kind heart and a passion for her Soldiers. She loved her family, nature, camping, hiking, surfing, scuba diving, cooking, traveling, exploring, and most of all her “Boo Boo Bear” Mason (son).
As a true warrior, she fought to the very end and never quit.
Age: 37
Date of Death: July 16, 2019
Kimberly Diane Agar
Fallen Hero’s Hometown: North Richland Hills, TX
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Rank: Sergeant
Sergeant Agar enlisted in 2006 and deployed to Iraq July 2007. On October 7, an IED exploded on the drivers door of the truck she was driving, and another one three months later. She re-enlisted in 2009 as a Helicopter Refueler. She joined the Army Band and Chorus as a Vocalist/Choreographer in 2011. Performed the National Anthem for military functions, including a Fallen Battle Buddies Memorial.
Wore her Heart on her sleeve but was brave, courageous, and very accomplished. She had completed by the time she died the three goals she set for herself at age thirteen while competing for Miss Teen TX/MissTX: to sing, to see the world, to serve.
Through acting, modeling, pageants and singing (especially our National Anthem), she was able to do extraordinary things like travel and meet all ranges of people. She chose to serve because she wanted to do something bigger than herself. She received a Varsity Letter Jacket for Community Service at Birdville HS, and went on to become a Purple Heart recipient in the US Army.
Age: 25
Date of Death: October 3, 2011
Jillian Smith
Fallen Hero’s Hometown: Arlington, TX
Branch of Service: Arlington Police Department
Rank: Officer
Responding to a domestic disturbance call, Officer Jillian Smith was shot and killed while protecting and saving an 11-year-old girl.
Smith became interested in serving in law enforcement as a sixth grade participate in the DARE program. She was a recent graduate of the Arlington Police Academy. She was sweet, tender, and caring to the people she loved and the community she served. Her compassion fueled her bravery in pursuing her passion for police work.
“Jill was a true hero who believed that courage is the most powerful thing to offer your community,” remembers friend Sydney Wells.
Age: 24
Date of Death: December 28, 2010
Origins of Women's History Month
Women’s History Month can be traced back to the early 1900s when the Women’s Trade Union League in the United States began celebrating “Women’s History Week” to draw attention to the contributions of women in labor and social movements.
In 1978, a school district in California began celebrating Women’s History Week, which led to the first national Women’s History Week being recognized in 1980 by President Jimmy Carter. In 1987, the National Women’s History Project successfully petitioned Congress to expand the week to a month-long observance, and since then, March has been designated as Women’s History Month in the United States.
The goal of Women’s History Month is to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women throughout history and in modern times.
Women’s History Month celebrates the achievements of women and recognizes their contributions to society.
Did you Know?
Facts about Women in the Military
- As of 2021, women make up approximately 16% of the active-duty military and 19% of the National Guard and Reserve.
——— - Since 2016, women have been able to serve in all combat roles.
——— - Women have served in every major conflict in US history, including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
——— - Women have played important roles in the military throughout history, including as nurses, pilots, intelligence officers, and military police. They have been awarded numerous military decorations for their service, including the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Silver Star.
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was the first woman to receive the Medal of Honor, the highest military award in the United States, for her service as a surgeon during the Civil War. Credit: Circa 1860-1865. Mathew Benjamin Brady & Levin Corbin Handy.
Four American F-15 Eagle pilots walk to their jets at an Alaska base.
Women Veterans who made history!
Harriet Tubman – Born into slavery, she became a conductor on the Underground Railroad during the Civil War, leading hundreds of enslaved people to freedom. What many don’t know is that she also served as a nurse, recruiter, and spy for the Union Army. Her role was so covert at the time that only President Lincoln knew about it!
Deborah Sampson – In 1782, she disguised herself as a man and joined the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. She served for three years, taking part in several battles before her true identity was discovered.
Lt. Col. Nicole Malachowski was the first female pilot to fly with the USAF Thunderbirds, the Air Force’s premier flight demonstration team. She also served as an advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Brigadier General Wilma Vaught served in the US Air Force for 28 years, rising to the rank of brigadier general. Vaught was also the first woman to deploy with the Strategic Air Command.
Lori Robinson was the first woman to lead a major combatant command in the US military, serving as the commander of the US Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command.
