PRINTER'S NO. 4201
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1148
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY NELSON, READSHAW, HENNESSEY, NEILSON, HILL-EVANS,
BIZZARRO, COX, ROTHMAN, SCHLOSSBERG, ROZZI, THOMAS, BURNS,
RYAN, CORBIN, STAATS, YOUNGBLOOD, KINSEY, KAUFFMAN,
CALTAGIRONE, JOZWIAK, MILLARD, MENTZER, PYLE, EVERETT,
PICKETT, DRISCOLL, DiGIROLAMO, GOODMAN, MARSICO, JAMES, DALEY
AND SCHWEYER, OCTOBER 10, 2018
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
OCTOBER 10, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing 2018 as the 100th anniversary year of women in the
United States Marine Corps.
WHEREAS, On August 13, 1918, Opha May Johnson became the
first known woman to enlist in the United States Marine Corps
Reserve; and
WHEREAS, Johnson paved the way for over 300 more women to
enlist in the Marine Corps that year, eventually leading to the
creation of the Marine Corps Women's Reserve on February 13,
1943; and
WHEREAS, Over 22,000 women serving in the Marine Corps played
a pivotal role during World War II, making up over 85% of the
enlisted personnel at the Marine Corps Headquarters; and
WHEREAS, While much smaller in numbers, women served in the
Marine Corps throughout the Korean and Vietnam Wars, as well as
in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom and
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Enduring Freedom and continue to serve in post-9/11 military
operations; and
WHEREAS, In 1943, the idea of women serving in the Marine
Corps was no longer considered abnormal and even former actress
Bea Arthur joined the Marine Corps; and
WHEREAS, In 1947, Pennsylvania native Frances Wancheck was
the first woman to receive a "hash mark" by the Marine Corps;
and
WHEREAS, Bertha Billeb became the first female Marine
promoted to Sergeant Major in 1961; and
WHEREAS, Margaret Brewer became the first female Marine to be
promoted to General Officer in 1978; and
WHEREAS, Carol Mutter became the first female Marine to be
promoted to Lieutenant General in 1996; and
WHEREAS, The first all-female team of Marines conducted a
mission in southern Afghanistan to help the distressed female
population of Afghanistan, a mission which no male team of
Marines would be able to conduct; and
WHEREAS, The progress for women in the Marine Corps has only
continued to grow, including the graduation of the first woman
from the Infantry Officer Course on September 25, 2017;
therefore it be
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor the women
who served in the Marine Corps and who truly exemplified the
core values of the Marine Corps of honor, courage and
dedication; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize 2018 as
the 100th anniversary of women in the United States Marine
Corps.
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