Our Mission is to ...

About Military Women Across the Nation (1979-2015)

MILWOMEN

formerly WAVES National

Our members have served in all major conflicts, including WWII, Korean Era, Vietnam, Cold War, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom, Global War on Terror, Operation New Dawn, Afghanistan, Iraq, and in Peacetime.

Join MILWOMEN TODAY!

Formerly WAVES National

  • Keep all military women, past and present, informed of current benefits associated with their military service


  • Keep female veterans connected while preserving our common history


  • Provide opportunities for women in tomorrow's armed forces through networking, socialization, and service with and for other female veterans

Three former WAVES met some 30 years ago to seek out other WAVES and assist them as they were transitioning from the military back into civilian life.  From the tireless efforts of Jeannie Palermo (Dicks), Loda Mae Dobbins and Esther Govorchin, the WAVES National Corporation was founded.


In 1980 there were 3,000 names and addresses on file with 768 paid members from 47 states.  The first WAVES National Convention was held in Sacramento, CA with over 250 attending.  The theme was "Still Something Special."  During that convention it was decided to issue a newsletter "White Caps" to be published six times a year in order to keep everyone informed of relevant events and issues as well as to remain connected to the organization.


In 1985 the IRS formally recognized WAVES National as a non-profit Veteran's Service Organization (VSO) under IRS Code 501(c)(19).  From there the organization expanded across the nation and evolved from a social organization to service as a VSO.  


Eleven U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officers from the WWII and Korean eras were initiated in Philadelphia in 2004, and we chartered the first-ever all-active duty unit stationed onboard a Navy ship ... the "Relentless WAVES of the USS FORREST SHERMAN" Unit 154 in January 2006.  

At the WAVES National convention held aboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship ALLURE OF THE SEAS in August 2014, members voted to expand the membership to include women who have honorably served or are serving in all facets of the United States Military.  The name was also changed to reflect the new demographic:  MILITARY WOMEN ACROSS THE NATION.  

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On 20 June 2015, 40 military women from Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama were the first to obtain formal charter under the Military Women Across the Nation as Unit #157, Tri-State Women Veterans.  ​


We welcome aboard all military women!