Muster Up, Women Marines!
By: Kimberly UsseryPosted on January 15, 2026
Women Marines:
It’s your history—preserve it.
They’re your stories—hear them.
They’re your sisters—join them.
The Women Marines Association (WMA) is the only organization that exists for female Marines, and it needs help from her sisters in arms. All over the United States, local chapters have been struggling to recruit new members, with 12 of its 64 chapters at risk of closing due to aging membership and the inability to meet regularly. With each chapter closure, the photographs, stories and, most importantly, opportunities for mentorship are lost.
You might think that the WMA is your grandma’s garden club, a bunch of old ladies drinking and spilling the tea, but it is so much more than a social gathering.
Female Marines, like all Marines, long for a mission-purposed life. Become active in your local WMA chapter and shape it into the mission that calls to you. Do you feel called to mentor new recruits? To provide guidance in the transition from active duty to retired? To volunteer for projects? To curate photos, memorabilia and stories? To spread the word on social media? All these roles need to be filled. Whatever your mission, you will have a club of tough, resilient and like-minded women to work with.
“I joined WMA because I needed a community, one that I could lead again. I think part of the Marine Corps tradition is leaving something better than you found it. So, when I said I wanted to be a part of this, that’s my commitment,” explained 29-year-old Sergeant Nadia Urbina-De La O, who serves as the vice president of WMA CA-2 San Diego County.
Mission Statement of the WMA
Founded in Denver, Colo., 1960, the WMA is committed to preserving and sharing the proud heritage of women who have served in the U.S. Marine Corps—from World War I to the present day. We educate current and future generations about our enduring legacy and provide un-wavering support to all women Marines through every stage of their life and service.
Mentorship Opportunities with Active-Duty Women Marines
“I joined the Marine Corps at 19. I joined, but I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. Honestly, I don’t think any of us did,” recalls Urbina-De La O. Remember that feeling? The WMA is a resource to support women and get them connected to others who have marched down the same road.
Retired Master Sergeant Jeannine Marie Franz, the WMA National History and Archives Chair, joined the organization when she was a 30-year-old staff sergeant stationed in Camp Fallujah, Iraq, and became that chapter’s president. “Once I joined, I learned that accessibility to senior female leadership was readily available. They would go to our luncheons and events, so there was a good chance you could just sit down and ask questions. They weren’t necessarily in your chain of command, but it’s an environment where you can ask for advice and guidance from an experienced woman.”
Often, women Marines are placed in a unit where there are no other women. These Marines need someone to turn to for advice on uniquely feminine problems such as juggling expectations to be a perfect mom and a perfect Marine or finding strategies that will help them get promoted in the male-dominated Corps.
“It’s important to have a woman’s perspective—that’s why WMA is so important,” explained Marta Sullivan, a retired lieutenant colonel and current vice president of Marine and Spouse Programs for the Marine Corps Association. Sullivan recalled that four months after having her first child, she was back to work in the field but still nursing her baby. She needed other women to explain to her how they had dealt with the same situation.
Older female Marines can provide a vital connection with younger women who share the same cultural references.In turn, those Marines can receive mentorship from older women who have transitioned out of their military careers and into new ones.
Sharing Stories with Future Women Marines
Maybe your WMA mission is to coach young women who dream of standing on the yellow footprints. Aimee Gonzales, a 21-year-old lance corporal, grew up attending WMA events in the OR-1 Portland, Ore., chapter with her mother, who is also a Marine.
“There were a couple of ladies—Patty and Golda—who were World War II veterans, and there were other Korea and Vietnam era women Marines. It was so enjoyable to talk to them. They really loved their time,” said Gonzales. Having these WMA experiences helped when she decided to enlist in the Corps. “[The WMA members] told me what to expect and prepare for,” she explained. “It was a lot easier for me to notice things that were not quite right because of their experiences. It was a little bit more eye opening. A lot of women don’t have that same advantage of talking to a female Marine.”
Mentorship Opportunities with Women Veterans
The WMA also provides an opportunity to network with women who have established post-military careers.
“I am more of a Marine today than I was when I was in uniform. And I say that because of the principles that we were taught, you know, operating in integrity, excellence, decency, order and honoring leadership—even if you don’t like the people, right? I pull from those principles, and I stand strong,” said Laurie Sayles, Marine veteran and current CEO of Civility Management Solutions. “You’ve got to maintain those principles that you learned from the Marine Corps, and that’s your differentiator.”
Job hunting is challenging for everyone, and for Marines, there is the added stress of transitioning from military to civilian life. WMA provides support and strategies.
“Joining WMA gives you contacts all over the place because you meet so many people within that organization, especially when you go to the conventions every other year. There’s such a wealth of knowledge in the room,” said MSgt Franz.
Public Service Projects
One of the purposes of the WMA, as stated in their bylaws, is to provide care and assistance to hospitalized veterans and members of the Armed Forces of the United States. Many chapters volunteer in veterans’ hospitals and veterans’ retirement homes. Likewise, many WMA chapters participate in stand downs, free events that provide veterans with onsite medical and dental attention plus information on navigating benefits and support services.
“WMA OR-1 has been a pillar of the Salem Stand Down, consistently volunteering their time, tirelessly collecting items, and adding a touch of warmth by baking sweets for attendees,” said Sergeant Rosy Macias, the vice president of OR-1.
WMA MI-2 Motor City actively supported troops from 2002 to 2022. Their project Operation Caring Friends sent letters and care packages to service-members who received little or no support from home. Commands and chaplains reached out to the group, and the program grew.
“We are finally on our last month of deployment, and it warms my heart each time my team gets a care package from those of you who support their troops…. It might not be that big of a deal to you, but it means the world to us,” wrote one recipient.
Many WMA chapters also participate in Wreaths Across America and join in local events with other military organizations.In San Diego, De La O participated in the Coronado 4th of July Parade. She walked beside the car that carried 103-year-old Marine Corps veteran Sgt Roberta “Randy” Tidmore. Tidmore has been a long-time member of the WMA CA-2 chapter, as well as other service organizations such as Honor Flight.
One of the purposes of the WMA, as stated in their bylaws, is to provide care and assistance to hospitalized veterans and members of the Armed Forces of the United States
National WMA Activities
To support excellence among female Marines, the WMA provides awards and scholarships. The organization began the Molly Marine Awards in 1969, which go to one recruit in each graduating platoon at boot camp, selected by her peers for demonstrating the qualities of an exemplary Marine. The WMA also provides annual memorial scholarships up to $5,000 and assistance grants to members undergoing financial difficulties.
As part of their mission to preserve and promote the history of female Marines, the WMA maintains a historic collection of uniforms and artifacts. The Women of the Corps Collection began as a history project by the WMA Colorado Columbine chapter (CO-1) in 2004. It grew into a unique and definitive collection of every uniform used by women Marines since WW I. The WMA presented the full collection at the last convention, and a partial collection of the uniforms is available for display at museums. If interested, contact the WMA’s National History and Archives Committee at [email protected].
The History of Women Marines
Women Marines need to hear the stories of those who have gone before, appreciate their fights for equality and learn from them. By hearing their stories, you will know that change is possible.
Most WMA chapters hold an event in February honoring the establishment of the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve under the “Free a Man to Fight” campaign. During WW I, the Marine Corps admitted women for clerical services in order to send more men into combat. Opha May Johnson became the first female Marine reservist in 1918. However, in 1919, all women Marines were returned to inactive status.
During WW II, the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve was established in February 1943. Females were only assigned to 30 occupations, consisting mostly of administrative work. But as the war continued, women were assigned as mechanics, drivers, welders and air traffic controllers. At the end of the war, women’s roles were again demobilized. But, in 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act, providing a separate women’s corps within each branch of the military.
Female recruits began training at Parris Island, S.C., in 1949. In the following years, the manpower demand from the Korean War increased recruitment goals for women. Schools such as Naval Amphibious School and Command and Staff College opened to women officers.
In the ’60s and ’70s, the Vietnam War and anti-military attitudes caused manpower shortages across all branches. The 1967 Marshall Commission removed the policy that limited women to only 2% of the military and lifted restrictions on promotions, and in 1976, the first female drill instructors graduated from Drill Instructor School. This allowed women to independently supervise and train female recruits at Parris Island and opened more leadership and promotional opportunities for women Marines.
In 2015, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter ordered all military occupations and positions opened to women. In 2020, the National Defense Authorization Act mandated the Marine Corps to integrate all training for males and females at both Parris Island and Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, Calif. By 2023, all training companies were integrated.
The Closure of the 4th Battalion
In 2023, the Marine Corps deactivated the 4th Recruit Training Battalion at Parris Island. From 1986 until just recently, all enlisted women trained in this battalion before earning the title of United States Marine.
“It means closure, but it also means progress because this is something that has been needed for a long time. For women Marines to be validated more, I think the integration was necessary,” said Sgt Kay Ross in a 2023 interview with WTOC.
But the moment was also bittersweet because it ended a chapter of women’s history.
“The guys had their bragging rights with their battalions—we had ours. To say I went to boot camp with the 4th Battalion makes me proud to this day,” said SSgt Melissa M. Roy.
Some wondered, with the full integration of the Marine Corps, whether there was still a place where women Marines could experience camaraderie. Would the unique history of women in the Corps be buried?
“The Women Marines Association will retain your identity for the rest of your lives…. This is your safe haven,” promised Ann L. Crittenden, WMA National President.
Sign Me Up!
You can head over to www.womenmarines.org to join the WMA as a term or life member. Then search their map for the local chapter nearest you and join them. Most local chapters have active Facebook groups that post their events, so be sure and check those out. If you’re not interested in joining a local chapter, you can be a member at large. You can still be active within the WMA and volunteer your time and services.
Additionally, the WMA holds conventions biennially, on even years. The location varies throughout the United States. The next WMA convention will be hosted by the MI-2 chapter in Frankenmuth, Mich., Sept. 22-25.
SSgt Sayles shared about one convention, “After I started sharing my experience, one lady said, ‘So we’re standing on your shoulders.’ And I tell you—it touched me. It was just a wonderful experience to have at the WMA that you can’t get anywhere else. There’s nowhere else I could have gone and been in a room full of women Marines.”
No club in your area? Consider starting a chapter. Article 10 of the WMA bylaws states that “five or more active members of WMA who reside in a defined geographic area … or share a common USMC special interest/experience (e.g., music, aviation, drill instructor, deployed, etc.) may apply for a chapter charter.”
The Women Marines Association represents the fewer and the prouder. Your enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps was one of the defining moments of your life. Show your colors by joining the WMA today.
Featured Image (Top): Women Marines with “Papa” Company, 4th Recruit Training Battalion, graduate from boot camp MCRD Parris Island, S.C., March 26, 2021. While the historic 4th Battalion that trained all enlisted women was deactivated in 2023 with gender-integrated training initiatives, the Women Marines Association (WMA) continues to ensure that the stories, mentorship and camaraderie of the women who trained here are never lost.
About the Author
Kimberly Ussery grew up as a Navy Brat and has her MFA in Creative Writing from U.C. Riverside. A retired science teacher, she currently writes book reviews for the Journal of San Diego History and blogs on kimberlyus.com.
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