Women in the Military: Season II - Pioneers

Women in the Military: Season II - Pioneers

The second season of this series tells the story of the heroic accomplishments of women pioneers in the U.S. military. Subjects include some of the first women Marines, the first woman to earn the rank of Admiral, a career officer that sued the Secretary of Defense leading to women serving on combatant ships, the successful effort to repeal “don’t ask, don’t tell” which discriminated against gays and lesbians in the military, and the Congressional effort to address sexual assault in the military.

Women in the Military: Season II - Pioneers
  • Adele Shimanoff: U.S. Marine

    Directed by Hannah Anderson

    In 1945, Adele, with the energetic support of her family, joins the U.S. Marine Corps, as part of the large influx of women in the military. This short film tells her story. This series tells the story of World War Two from the veteran point of view. Subjects includ...

  • Black Woman & WWII: The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion

    Directed by Gina Gelphman

    In the midst of World War II, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-female African-American unit, undertook the monumental task of sorting and delivering a massive backlog of mail for the U.S. military. Despite facing deplorable working conditions and th...

  • Alene Duerk: The First Woman Admiral

    Directed by Eliciana Nascimento

    This short films tells the story of Alene B. Duerk, the first woman to earn the rank of Admiral in the U.S. Navy. Admiral Duerk served in World War II and during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. After retiring, she went on to deliver meals to the elderly before passin...

  • Time for Change: Kathy Bruyere

    Directed by Daniel Leonard Bernardi

    A remarkable woman challenges two centuries of Navy tradition and discrimination, becoming a champion for equal opportunities to serve on-board ship and in combat...all while rising to the rank of Captain and becoming a source of strength to her family.

  • Zoe Dunning: Repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

    Directed by Silvia Turchin

    Maria Zoe Dunning is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and gay rights activist. She is known for being the only openly gay person remaining on active duty following a series of lawsuits against the U.S. Military and the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy during the 1990s. This i...

  • Jackie Speier: Sexual Assault in the Military

    Directed by Jennifer Hammett

    Congresswoman Jackie Speier explains her approach to protecting victims of sexual assault within the military. Her goal is to take prosecuting powers out of the inner ranks and put it into the hands of properly trained detectives.