80th Anniversary Message
Posted in: Female Marine, History, Marine Corps, Military, USMC, Values, veterans, WMA, Women Marines Association, WWIICelebrating 80 years since the USMC Women Reserves 13 Feb 2380 years ago, the slogan “Free a Marine to Fight” drew 19,000 women to the USMC Women Reserves during World War II. Today we are approximately 18,000 strong. We have moved from performing mainly clerical positions to filling combat infantry MOS slots worldwide. Every generation
80th Anniversary of the Marine Corps Women Reserve
Posted in: Female Marine, History, USMC, Values13 February 2023 – 80th Anniversary of the Marine Corps Women Reserve Since World War II By Rosa Osborn. It is not widely known why we celebrate 13 February as the Women Marines’ Anniversary. Eliminating the obvious, when women were officially authorized to serve in the Marine Corps Reserve, one might ask themself why we
Ruth Holman USMCWR
Posted in: UncategorizedCEDARBURG — As friends and family members gathered in Cedarburg on Nov. 4 to celebrate Ruth Holman, it wasn’t just to commemorate the Lasata Senior Living resident’s 100th birthday. It was also an opportunity to recognize and honor a woman who was a pioneer in so many ways — as a member of the United
Meet Kassie Diaz
Posted in: Conflicts, Female Marine, History, Iraq, Life After the Corps, Marine Corps, Values, Women Marines AssociationWMA LIFE MEMBER An Interview with Kassie Marie DiazBy Alyssa Diaz Known as the first, and only, female to operate unmanned aircraft as an external pilot for the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army, Kassie Diaz also qualified as a Pioneer UAV1 External Pilot in 2002. Additionally, she served as a Corporal
2022 – 2024 National Board
Posted in: UncategorizedThe new WMA National Board WMA presents the slate of officers for the 2022-2024 WMA National Board. The WMA National Bylaws dictates no ballot was necessary. Article Eight, Section 3. Ballots: “An election ballot shall be published only for the office(s) which have received more than one nominee.” The Nominating Committee conducted due diligence
Soldiers’ Angels
Posted in: Life After the Corps, Uncategorized, USMC, veterans, VolunteerThe Women Marines Association is proud to partner with Soldiers’ Angels in taking care of our military members and veterans. Soldiers’ Angels is a national nonprofit headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, founded in 2003 by the family of General George Patton. Through its global network of thousands of volunteers,they fulfill its mission of providing aid,
Recruitment of women Marines in the ’70s
Posted in: Boot Camp, Female Marine, History, Marine Corps, Military, Training, USMC, Vietnam, WMAThis recruitment film, produced for the U.S. Marine Corps by Dallas-based Bill Stokes Associates, portrays the recruitment and training process for women in the Marines. The film starts with “Susie Smalltown” who joins the Marines for the “glamorous uniform”. The viewer then witnesses the transformation that takes place for women recruits during basic training and
Posted in: WMA Ruth L. Wood: Proud to be a U.S. Marine
Our History – Our Service
Posted in: Afghanistan, Awards, Conflicts, Female Marine, History, Iraq, Korean, Marine Corps, Military, Personal Stories, Values, veterans, Vietnam, WMA, WMA History, WWIIBy Rosa Osborn In 2010, as a warrant officer and several years in the Marine Corps, I thought I knew it all. I knew the history of the Marine Corps. We all do. I didn’t discover just how little I knew until 2010 while attending the WMA Convention in Denver. I was not only amazed
WMA Member of the Month Rosa Osborn
Posted in: AwardsCWO4 Rosa Osborn (Frank), Retired Rosa Osborn was born Rosa Artiaga, in Queen Creek, Arizona in 1971 and raised primarily in Channelview, Texas. Eight days after graduating high school she was on the yellow footprints at Parris Island. Once asked, why she joined the Marine Corps, she replied that unlike most, she ran away to
Rosa Osborn
Posted in: Awards, Female Marine, History, Life After the Corps, Marine Corps, Military, USMC, veterans, Volunteer, WMA, WMA History, Women Marines AssociationJulia Hamblet Awardee WMA extends congratulations to WMA Member Rosa Osborn as the 2022 recipient of the Julia Hamblet Award. I want to take this opportunity to announce the recipient of the Julia E. Hamblet Award as our own, Rosa Osborn, for her extraordinary efforts in the preservation of the history of women Marine uniforms
Rev. Melinda Townsend
Posted in: Life After the Corps, Membership, Military, Personal Stories, USMC, Volunteer, WMAWMA Mational Chaplain Melinda Townsend was born in Denver, CO and raised primarily in the north-central area of New Mexico (Española, Santa Fe and Taos). She spent 3 years living in Aguascalientes Mexico as a teenager giving her a wonderful cross-culture living experience and fluency in Spanish. She graduated from St. Michael’s High School in