About Us
Our History
The National Association of Black Military Women (NABMW) is an association of women located throughout the country who are veterans or current members of the United States Armed Forces. It was founded under the former name of "The Black WAAC, WAC, Women in Service."
The Beginning
In July 1976, 21 women who served in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) and Women's Army Corps (WAC) during World War II, Korean, and Vietnam Wars gathered at Lucille Brown's house in Hampton, Virginia. They decided to locate and invite other former servicewomen to a reunion, which was held in 1978 in Dallas, Texas. Since then, Biennial Reunions continued and have been kept in various cities across the United States.
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During one of these reunions, the Black WAAC/WAC/Women in Service group talked about the challenges of aging and the loss of their history. They realized that the younger generation of soldiers, families, and friends didn't even know that Black Military Women existed or served during American Revolution, World War I, World War II, and Korean Wars. They felt that Black Military Women's history was not being captured, recorded, or told anywhere, and they decided to take responsibility for gathering and preserving their own stories.
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The members at this reunion also decided to organize to accomplish this mission officially. The Black WAAC/WAC/Women in Service comprised mainly Army Veterans. However, they decided to open a new official organization to all the Armed Services of the United States. Colonel Dolores Hampton, LTC Mariam Barbary, Maj Laurie Brasher, and Maj Kathaleen Harris assisted in getting the organization started.
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The members reviewed and approved the proposed NABMW bylaws and organization structure at subsequent reunions. The organization continues to evolve, and reunions are held in different cities throughout the United States. The next reunion is set to take place in Phoenix, Arizona, at the downtown Hyatt Hotel in September 2014. The NABMW is committed to preserving and sharing the stories of Black Military Women and ensuring that their contributions are not forgotten.
SOURCE: NABMW ARCHIVES