Press Release: JBSA Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Women in the Air Force
502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs
Release# 231025-01
Release Date: Oct. 25, 2023
JBSA Celebrates 75th Anniversary of Women in the Air Force
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Women in the Air Force program celebrates 75 years of accomplishments along with the Society of Air Force Nurses at the Gateway Club on Joint Base San Antonio- Lackland, Thursday, Oct. 26 at 11:00 a.m. The event is hosted by the 502nd Air Base Wing, 37th Training Wing and the Airman Heritage Foundation. The event features retired U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Susan L. Pamerleau, a former Women in the Air Force squadron commander, as the keynote speaker.
The luncheon is part of the 35th annual reunion held by both the WAF and SAFN. This year marks 75 years since the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.
While women played important roles in the armed forces for years prior, it was not until the act was passed in 1948 did women legally have permission to serve in official capacities, including roles in then-newly-formed U.S. Air Force. As the history of women in the armed forces and the U.S. Air Force paralleled each other, it was not until 1976 that the USAF accepted women on an equal bases as men. Programs like WAF worked to achieve this by laying the groundwork for equal opportunities.
The event features a living history presentation by the Airman Heritage Foundation and other guest speakers.
“Women have left a significant impression on our military history,” Al Herring, AHF Board President, shares. “They continue to make strides in leading innovation in the world’s greatest Air Force, and they are at the forefront of creating new and exciting pathways with our Space Force Guardians. I am thrilled that the Airman Heritage Foundation could partner with JBSA-Lackland to recognize their accomplishments and sacrifices, and honored that guest speaker Susan Pamerleau is again championing their achievements.”
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Media Notes:
Media interested should submit their RSVP to the 502nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs via email, 502ABW.PA.OFFICIAL@US.AF.MIL, no later than 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25.
Airman Heritage Foundation is a volunteer-driven international nonprofit organization based in San Antonio. The organization has a mission to support the USAF Airman Heritage Museum and other heritage-related activities in preserving and honoring the history and heritage of enlisted Airmen and Guardians. For more information, visit https://www.myairmanmuseum.org.
Susan L. Pamerleau’s biography: https://www.usmarshals.gov/who-we-are/about-us/marshals-biography/susan-l-pamerleau
