LANSING - March is Women’s History Month, and a time to pay tribute to those women who make the nature and our society a better place. In particular, the Michigan Women’s Historical Center and Hall of Fame focuses on the stories of women veterans through its new exhibit “NUWARINE: Women Proud to Serve”.
People of different genders and ages joined in the opening reception of the history exhibit on the night of March 19th. It displays the life of members of the state's only all-female American legion NUWARINE Post 535.
Diann Aamoth is one of the speakers at the reception and the commander of the NUWARINE Post 53. She said the post is made of 23 members, including nine World War II veterans, and some ones have served in Iraq and Vietnam.
Besides memorializing women’s service in the military, Aamoth said an all-female post has its particular significance.
"Women if they want to join in our post, they feel more comfortable talking to us about their experiences. We can talk more openly if somebody has any problems of sexual harassment or anything like that. You just feel more comfortable because it is all women so I think it is the main thing that makes us unique."
As for the reception, Eddy Jones, visitor and also the Captain of the United States Navy Reserve, said, "The presentation was wonderful. They even had a world war two veteran, who I think is the longest serving post commander. She was here to talk about her experience and hopefully that will inspire other women veterans to get involved in activities like this."
As for the exhibit which shows what those women went through and how they handled some problems during their service, Marilyn Britten, another visitor and the 3rd Zone Commander of the American Legion for the State of Michigan, said "It is very very nice and it highlights a lot of women in this area that have served."
“We are one of friendliest state to women veterans,” said Jim Wallance, State Commander for the American Legion Department of Michigan.
Along with hearing personal experiences of members, visitors also have a chance to see some items ever used by those servicewomen. The exhibit will last through February 27, 2016.