The New Jersey Monument

The Women Veterans Monument stands out among markers lining the Memorial Walkway section at the Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in North Hanover, New Jersey. The monument is as unique as the women it honors.

After ten years of planning and fund raising, the New Jersey Advisory Committee for Women Veterans dedicated the monument on June 6, 2003, the 59th anniversary of D-Day.

The 30-inch high statue of a colonial era "Minutewoman" is shown wearing traditional Revolutionary War period clothing, carrying a weapon in one hand and holding a lantern in the other, while shielding a child. It shows the courage and conviction of women serving in times of conflict, according to Col. Maria Morgan, deputy adjutant of the New Jersey National Guard. "An often forgotten fact is that all the women veterans and all the women in uniform were the true volunteers always," said Morgan.

The 100-pound statue sits atop a black pentagonal monolith, with each side representing one branch of the military displaying insignias of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. The words "The Spirit of the American Woman Veteran" are inscribed on the bottom of the granite base.

Col. Kathleen Morrissey, left and Capt. Lynn Molinaro, right, liaisons to the New Jersey Advisory Committee for Women Veterans talk to keynote speaker Brig. Gen. Wilma L. Vaught, U.S. Air Force (Ret) in front of the new monument to women who have served.

For Brig. Gen. Wilma L. Vaught, U.S. Air Force (Retired), president of the Board of Directors of the Women In Military Service For America Foundation, this dedication ceremony is just one of many that are continuing across the country to honor women who have served. General Vaught has seen increased interest in the contributions of females to the military since the opening of the Women In Military Service For America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery in October 1997. "That memorial started a chain of actions," said General Vaught."

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The New Orleans, Louisiana, Monument

Military Women's Memorial Monument, Elk Place at Cleveland Ave. , New Orleans

On Memorial Day, Wednesday, May 30, 1962, the Military Women's Memorial monument in New Orleans was unveiled and dedicated under the sponsorship of the New Orleans Chapter, WAC Veterans Association. It is the First military monument in America dedicated solely to military women and its dedication plaque reads: "to the honor and glory of all military women who offer their lives in defense of the United States in the cause for peace."

Mrs. Camilla Mays Frank designed the monument.
Here's more about former Captain Mays-Frank from the DAR:

Our organizing Regent was Mrs. Camilla Mays Frank, a remarkable woman who lived on St. Louis Street in the heart of New Orleans French Quarter (Vieux Carre). A talented author, she wrote, produced & emceed a weekly radio program on WWL radio for shut-ins, from 1940-42. In September 1942, at the outbreak of WWII, she enlisted in the Women's Army Auxilliary Corps, just barely under the 45yr old age limit. Serving as a Captain in the Women's Army Auxilliary Corps (WAAC) in war-torn Europe, she organized Special Service Clubs for our troops throughout the European Theatre, under the command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

In 1946, she was the only woman of 146 recipients of the " Croix de Guerre" presented at Napoleon's Tomb in Paris. She was also presented the Army Commendation Medal. Her wartime recollections were published in her book, "Far From Eden" in 1982. In 1955, Mrs. Camilla Mays Frank held a meeting at 817 St. Louis St., in the heart of New Orleans "Vieux Carre" to lay the foundation for a new DAR chapter especially for working women. On October 16th, 1956, VIEUX CARRE chapter was officially born.

Mrs. Mays was also the founder of the WAC Veterans Association,Chapter 25, and later served as National President. Camilla Mays Frank was a member of 17 hereditary organizations, numerous military, civic and professional organization. She served as General Chairman of Chapter 25, WAC Veterans Association; and was Organizing Regent of Vieux Carre Chapter, DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution). She was also co-founder and second President of "La Louisiane" Chapter, Colonial Dames of the XVIIth Century. She was a lifetime "Honorary Board Member" of the French Quarter Property Owners Association.
She died on December 27, 1985 at the age of 86.

Sincere thanks to Mary Duvall, Chairman, "Service for Veterans" Committee, Vieux Carre Chapter, DAR, New Orleans, for the story of Camilla Mays Franks.

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Coming soon - The Nurse Helen Fairchild Bridge

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Unless otherwise noted contents © 1996 to date by Captain Barbara A. Wilson, USAF (Ret)