FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 25, 2021 CONTACT: [email protected]; 212-416-5250 Statement from Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner James Hendon on Women’s History Month 2021 New York City Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner James Hendon released the following remarks about honoring the contributions of Women in American history. “Every March, we honor the contributions of women throughout our history and the ongoing struggle to achieve equality. In time’s eternal passage, it was barely one century ago that American women obtained the right to vote, and it was only months ago that Kamala Harris, the first woman Vice-President, was sworn into office. Even as women formed our nation’s backbone, they were forced to stand in the shadows of men. Yet, despite this, they were often the ones who agitated for change and who led the charge for continual progress. In their times, Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, Mother Jones, and Ida B. Wells rowed against the societal grain. They were mocked for their beliefs on suffrage, abolition, worker’s rights, and racial justice. Today, however, we revere them for planting the seeds that have reaped a harvest from which future generations have benefited. The military has also not been immune to the prejudices of the ages. Women have long played an essential role in our nation’s defense. From Concord to Kandahar, from Margaret “Captain Molly” Corbin to General Ann Dunwoody, women patriots have fought for our freedoms even while facing harassment and a deck that was stacked against them. Today, roughly fifteen percent of America’s Active Duty Armed Forces are women. Further, women are the fastest- growing demographic within the Military and Veteran communities. Adding to this renown: women thrive in the military and continue to succeed despite the fact that they were not allowed to serve in occupational specialties and units tasked with direct combat until just eight years ago, in 2013. This transformation did not occur overnight. As Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.” Today, we salute the women of the past and present while looking forward to a future where the final vestiges of outdated thinking and discrimination towards them is swept into history’s dustbin.” About the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services The mission of the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services is to connect, mobilize, and empower New York City’s Veteran community in order to foster purpose-driven lives for US Military Service Members—past and present—in addition to their caregivers, survivors, and families. We assist NYC Veteran community members on issues that include, but are not limited to: employment, housing, food security, wellbeing, benefits, culture, and targeted advocacy. For more information, please visit www.nyc.gov/vets, call (212) 416-5250, email [email protected], or follow us on social media @nycveterans. .