Maine Advisory Commission on Women Veterans
The Commission was established by the 118th Maine Legislature to act as advisory commission to the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management on issues affecting women veterans. Commission members served as liaisons between female veterans in Maine and the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical and Regional Office Center at Togus.
On July 1, 2015, the Commission was concluded by the Legislature after more than 10 years of advocacy for women veterans. Thanks to the Commission's work, female veterans in Maine now have access to a dedicated Women's Clinic at the VA in Togus that opened in 2014, a VA Breast Health coordinator, and a new benefit of VA Maternity Care through VISN 1.
Additionally, Maine's female veterans are now honored for their service with a prominent plaque in the Hall of Flags at the Capitol Building, in addition to ongoing recognition programs featuring a certificate of appreciation by the state and a special women's coin.
Thanks to the wonderful and dedicated work of the Maine women veterans who worked on, with, and led the Commission, women veterans in Maine are better positioned to be heard and respected regarding specific needs they may have. If you are a woman veteran, support a woman veteran, or know a woman veteran who requires additional assistance that is gender-specific, please email or call us immediately.
Women Veterans Plaque Recognition and Commemorative Coins
Women Veterans Plaque Dedicated February 18, 2011 in the State House Hall of Flags
On Friday, February 18, 2011, the women veterans' plaque was dedicated in the State House Hall of Flags in honor of Maine's women veterans. The fund raising process began in July 2010 to raise the necessary funds for purchasing the plaque and also to purchase silver commemorative coins in the likeness of the plaque to present to Maine's women veterans. Through the many generous private donations received from businesses, companies, veterans' service organizations, and individuals, the Bureau was able to raise the funds to purchase the plaque and purchase some silver commemorative coins designed in the likeness of the plaque for our women veterans.
If you are a Maine female veteran and have not been recognized with the silver commemorative coin, please click one of the links below to download the application and mail it to the address shown on the application along with a copy of your DD214, DD214 equivalent or NGB22 form.
About the Recognition Plaque
After months of planning, a design depicting Maine women who served in different US military capacities over four centuries was chosen. This included the 18th Century - Hannah Watts Weston, Revolutionary War a PATRIOT; 19th Century - Emily W. Dana, Civil War Union Army NURSE; 20th Century - Patricia A. (Chadwick) Erickson, WWII Army Air Force SERVICE PILOT; and 21st Century - Annette M. Bachman, War on Terrorism, Maine Army National Guard.
Annette Bachman posed for the plaque and was on hand at the press conference. The plaque was designed by Maine artist Gary Cooper.
We would like to thank the individuals, organizations and businesses for their generosity in making a contribution towards the plaque and their dedication to honoring women veterans.