- Since the Revolutionary War, women have served in the military, both officially and unofficially.
- Just as there are famous male veterans, there are also famous female veterans.
- “Golden Girl” Bea Arthur was one of the first members of the Women's Marine Corps Reserve.
Women have played important roles in the military since its beginning, with iconic figures like Harriet Tubman serving in the Civil War. It wasn't always easy being a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, but these women persevered and served their country.
The percentage of women serving on active duty and in the Reserves is increasing, the Department of Defense reported in 2022. In 2021, 17.3% of active duty positions and 21.4% of National Guard and Reserve positions were female, up slightly from the previous year, the department reported, citing the 2021 Military Community Demographic Profile.
Ahead of this Memorial Day (the first day of summer and one of the biggest holidays in the US), we look at 12 famous women who have served in the military around the world, including Bea Arthur and Queen Elizabeth.
Melina Glusac contributed to an earlier version of this article.
