November 11 serves dual markers for me, it mark’s Veterans Day and also my grandmother’s birthday: a veteran of World War II herself. Both my grandmother Elizabeth and her sister Jean served in the war in different supplemental but pivital roles. However, their acknowledgements are barely recognized. I’m reminded of a celebratory lunch in my grandmother’s nursing home on her birthday addressed to “All Male Veterans.”

She took the poor person at the front desk to task for such a sexist invitation (in such a cut throat way the head of the home later referred to her as “killer” lovingly. But you get the point, we have a point of view that men went and served women stayed behind to carry on the workings of the country. And don’t even get me started at how the accomplishments of BIPOC women are even further marginalized. Let’s look at a few:

Bea Arthur

Prior to starting her theatrical studies Beatrice Frankel enlisted in the Marine Corps when she was 21 years old in 1943. She was promoted to the rank of staff sergeant before meeting her future husband and being discharged. Her enlistment papers describe her as a rather argumentative individual. That’s…hard to believe. Right?

Susan Ahn Cuddy

Susan was the first Asian American woman to join the Navy in 1942 despite facing constant adversity following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Marion Miller Hill

The war saw a number of Indigenous women join the Canadian forces, even though they were given a small, miniscule fraction of what the men or white women were earning. Marion was a driver in Halifax who maneuvered large trucks with ease despite being only 5’3″

Dovey Johnson Roundtree

Dovey was chosen to be one of the first 40 Black women asked to join the WAC (Women’s Auxiliary Corp) when it was formed.

So this Veterans Day thank you to all that have served but especially to those who served despite not being treated with as much respect domestically as they truly deserved.