A multimedia endeavor
Our Projects
The Portraits
These are not traditional portraits of stiff military brass. The full series will bear witness to the commitment, hardships and grit of our American sisters-in-arms from all six services.
In homage to the Women’s Reserve Camouflage Corps, a unit of American women artists who designed and tested camouflage techniques during WWI, camouflage patterning is a part of every painting. Camouflage disrupts perceptions, so what better metaphor for these women who disrupt the status quo in the male-dominated world of our current military. “Defending Democracy” will illuminate an under-celebrated, marginalized sector of our military, the 350,000, roughly 18%, women who serve. To date, there are only a few painted portraits of women in the U.S. Military in the Pentagon.
Anna
Hays, KS. Fourth Generation Army, third generation Airborne, Staff Sergeant Anna Wear was a member of the Cultural Support Team’s (CST’s), an elite female unit that served alongside Special Operations Forces in Afghanistan. In preparation for her deployments, Anna committed herself to attaining the same levels of competency as was expected of the men on her missions. Her role was to directly interact with Afghan women and children during combat operations, as it was deemed culturally inappropriate if performed by a male service member. Today Anna is adjusting to life back home. Though she suffers from PTSD and chronic back pain, she remains grateful for her military experience.
"Rosa"
Key West, FL. “Rosa” (name changed for security purposes) grew up in the Panama Canal Zone and witnessed Operation Just Cause as a teenager. As a young adult, feeling her career opportunities were limited in Panama, this brave young woman left her family and childhood home and emigrated to the United States. With just a few hundred dollars in her pocket and hungry to find work, “Rosa” enlisted in the National Guard. Today, as a naturalized citizen, she serves as an intelligence officer. Her three deployments have included tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. When we met, she was awaiting her next assignment
Nora
Oro Valley, AZ. Vice Admiral (ret.) Nora Tyson was the first female Carrier Strike Group Two Commander and the first female Third Fleet Commander responsible for approximately fifty million square miles of the eastern and northern Pacific Ocean areas including the Bering Sea, Alaska, the Aleutian Islands and a sector of the Arctic.
Nora also served as Vice Director of the Joint Staff. Nora’s exemplary 38-year career began days after graduating from college with an unexpected phone call from a recruiter.
Rhona and Makayla
Queens, NY and San Antonio, TX. Rhona and Makayla are on the easel! This double portrait celebrates the long and historic legacy of women who serve our country in a medical capacity. Rhona Arond, 97, was a WWII nurse and 1st Lieutenant Makayla Shanice Mills, 26 is getting her Medical Degree through the Army.
The Documentary Series
"Sisters in Arms"
Sisters in Arms, our 6-part documentary series tells the epic tale of women in our Armed Forces.
The arc of each 50 to 90-minute episode is a military mission. The real story, however, is about the women who are integral to its execution.
The women in “Sisters in Arms” invite us into their personal and military lives with stories that reveal grit, patriotism and sacrifice.
Whether on land, air or sea, on U.S. or foreign soil, we dive into their day to day. The film becomes a tapestry visually enriched with B-roll of personal effects (mementos, photographs, and video).
Archival footage historically contextualizes their stories and deployments.
From the heroism to the hardships and the sometimes disturbing reality of life in the military, “Sisters in Arms” offers a platform for our military women to speak candidly about their service. In gratitude we offer this platform as a way to venerate their roles in protecting and defending our precious democracy.
"1325"
Portraits of Military Women International
In the spirit of global awareness on the meaningful inclusion of women in security and defense, brought by the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the Women Peace and Security Act, a law approved by Congress in 2017…
Preeminent Artists from the 103 nations who have adopted the Resolution are invited to contribute new artworks featuring women from the ranks of their military for a multinational, traveling exhibition.
The portraits bring to life the untold stories of women from around the world who serve in their armed forces.
Aligning with the WPS objective of promoting a gendered perspective and women’s equal and meaningful participation in peace processes, the mission of “1325” Portraits of Military Women International is the urgent imperative…
To encourage current service women and future leaders to be critical actors in the effort to achieve sustainable international peaceand security.
“Ma’am… may I speak freely?”
The Podcasts
On the local level, at community events such as the Coconut Grove Arts Festival in Miami, this outreach program invites the public to hear first-hand about the lives they have lived, and the things they have done. We have heard stories about WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the Iraq wars, Gulf War Syndrome, the war on terror in Afghanistan, breaking the “brass” ceiling, female “firsts”, heroism, heartache, humor, basic training, deployments, combat, PTSD, physical disabilities, sexual assault and harassment and homelessness.
The recorded interviews for, “ Ma’am… may I speak freely?” will have national reach as a series of podcasts.
We have hours and hours of content and need funding for producing and editing the series. Can you help?
Calling All Female Service Members to Get Involved
Active duty, Guard, Reserve and veteran women are urged to get involved. Tell your meaningful story about life in the military.
Contact MaryEllen@usmilitarywomen.org and find out how you can become a part of the project.