THE VFA PIONEER HISTORIES PROJECT

June Willenz

December 17, 1924 – May 3, 2020

“When you talk about veterans, most people think of men. They don’t think about women.” – June Willenz, 1985

Human rights activist and champion of women in the military. Executive Director, American Veterans Committee (AVC); first and only female head of a veteran’s organization which focused its attention on the rights of the less-than-honorably discharged and women veterans, 1965-2003. Developed the first legal aid project for veterans with discharge-related problems. Member, First Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, and Executive Committee, Veteran’s Administration, 1983-1986. Chair, World Veterans Federation’s Committee on Women, 1983–2006. Initiated effort to build the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, approved 1986. Author, Women Veterans: America’s Forgotten Heroines, published 1983. Bachelor’s degree, Chemistry, University of Michigan,1945. Master’s degree, Philosophy, University of Michigan, 1947. Doctoral studies, Philosophy (ABD), The New School for Social Research, New York.

Photo 1. Women Veterans: America’s Forgotten Heroines’, by June Willenz, 1983. Photo 2. June Willenz with Hillary Clinton, 1990s.