Bea Arthur’s commanding performances in “The Golden Girls” and “Maude” remain etched in pop culture, but before her rise to fame, Arthur was blazing trails in the Marine Corps’ Women’s Reserve. Enlisting at the age of 21, she served as a typist and truck driver, and despite being described as “argumentative” by her supervisors, she achieved the rank of staff sergeant before being honorably discharged in 1945.
Harriet Tubman is renowned for her heroic efforts with the Underground Railroad, but she was also a pivotal figure in the Civil War. In 1863, Tubman became the first woman in U.S. history to lead a military expedition, an operation so secretive that only President Lincoln was privy to it. Her military service earned her recognition decades later, in 1899, with author Thomas B. Allen lauding her as “one of the great heroines of the Civil War.”
Queen Elizabeth II served during World War II as a driver and mechanic in the Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service, known then as “Second Subaltern Elizabeth Windsor.” Her service is a unique royal hallmark, as she remains the only woman in the Royal Family to have entered the armed forces.
Taking to the skies, Eileen Collins shattered the glass ceiling as both a pioneering Air Force pilot and NASA’s first female shuttle commander. Her commitment to excellence started early on in her Air Force career, stating in Time, “My philosophy was to be the best pilot I could be.” Her aspirations propelled her to become the first female space shuttle pilot.
Another notable veteran, Jennifer Marshall, known for her role as Susan Hargrove in “Stranger Things,” served in the U.S. Navy from ages 17 to 22. Her diverse roles in the military included working as a forklift operator, aircraft handler, and logistics specialist. Her continued support for veterans is exemplified through her work with non-profits like Pin-Ups For Vets.
Sunny Anderson, a beloved Food Network star, credits her military background as a foundation for her culinary success. Serving as a radio broadcaster and journalist in the Air Force, working in Seoul, South Korea, and in San Antonio, Texas. Anderson affirmed that her transition to civilian life began even before she joined the military, always aiming for practical skills she could utilize post-service.
The airwaves resonate with the voice of Robin Quivers, Howard Stern’s long-time co-host, but before her radio fame, she served as a captain in the Air Force. Quivers, who has a nursing degree, was still part of the reserves when she began her career with Stern in 1981.
Actress Zulay Henao’s portrayal of military life on “Army Wives” is backed by personal experience, having served three years in the U.S. Army. She previously spoke to the paparazzi about her time in the military, saying: “I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing, and I wouldn’t have the perspective I have of the world, if it weren’t for the Army.”
Olympians like Shauna Rohbock and Amber English have also demonstrated the remarkable synergy between athletic prowess and military discipline. Rohbock, an Olympic bobsledder and silver medalist, honed her skills as part of the National Guard Outstanding Athlete Program. English, still an active service member, won gold in women’s skeet shooting at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressing national pride for her achievement on Twitter.
From “Wonder Woman” Gal Gadot’s tenure in the Israel Defense Forces to Dr. Ruth Westheimer’s training as a sniper after surviving the Holocaust, the stories of women veterans in the spotlight are as diverse as they are inspiring.
Relevant articles:
– 12 famous women who served in the military, Business Insider, Mar 1, 2024
– She Served: 8 Inspiring Women Veterans & Their Stories, Endeavors
– Lori Robinson | Biography, Rank, & Commands, britannica.com