March is Women’s History Month by proclamation of the president dated February 29, 2016. American women have played a vital role in all of our history going back to the very founding of our nation. They are strong-minded, dedicated, determined, patriotic and loyal. It is therefore befitting March is being observed as Women’s History Month. The National Women’s History Project (NWHP) began in 1980 and has become the premier resource for information and material on American women and their role in American history. I applaud this observance of all women who have been the inspiration for so much beauty and poetry plus providing nurturing, protection and care giving in our lives.

I am probably a little partial to the women of WWII from Selma for whom I wrote specials on for publication in the Selma Times-Journal. Unfortunately, three of the five are now deceased. They are Virginia O. Nutt, Women’s Army Corps, New Guinea – STJ edition July 29, 2003, Nettie F. Eskridge, AAC Nurse Corps, Europe — STJ edition March 10, 2006 and Francis M. Lanier, US Marine Corps Women’s Reserve, Camp Elliott and Camp Pendleton, California – “Women Played Important Role in WWII” – STJ March 22, 2014.

One of the five, Helen Lattal, still lives here in Selma. Helen is a veteran of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) having served with 8th Air Force Headquarters at High Wycombe, England. Her years of service were 1942-1945. She was active in the community for many years and is a past Commander of American Legion Post 20. Helen is well known in the veteran community and is a very passionate patriot and a delightful lady. Her special was published by the Times-Journal on Wednesday, January 14, 2004.

My other woman WWII veteran, Geraldine “Gerry” Vaden lives in Marion. She served in North Africa and Europe during WW II as an Army Nurse. Gerry returned from the war zone to Fort Slocumb, N. Y. as head nurse treating the war wounded sent back from the campaigns in Europe. She is blessed with a charming personality and a keen wit. You will find her in attendance at most of the events at Marion Military Institute and at Judson where she taught school. I attended her 95th birthday celebration in Marion at Archibald Hall on Judson Campus, and reported the event in the Times-Journal on Sunday, July 26, 2015 edition.

According to the latest data, women now comprise 14.6 percent of our active military forces. A lot has changed over the years and women now serve in units I never would have dreamed they would.

Also, there are Selma treasures I have been blessed to write about for their unselfish contributions. Mallieve Breeding, Jane Moore, and Kitty Singley are very special women in the community.