Panelists spoke about the expanding role of women in all branches of the armed forces, from the time of the American Revolution to the present. Judith Hicks Stiehm showed pictures as she gave an overview of the history of women in the military. Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer talked about her military career, including the challenges of being forced to leave the military when she became pregnant and later of discovering that she was a lesbian. Topics included the remaining challenges to full inclusion of women in the armed services. Juan Williams moderated the discussion.
“The History of Women in the Armed Forces” was the second panel of the “Freedom to Serve -- Then and Now” forum honoring the 61st anniversary of President Truman’s signing of Executive Order 9981 that ended racial segregation in the armed forces. The forum was held in the auditorium of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. CT on Monday, July 27, 2009. The event was co-sponsored by Servicemembers Legal Defense Network.