By Tiffany Williams –
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Governor Maura Healey unveiled an exhibition in partnership with the Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) and 3-5-0 Girls.
The exhibit showcases uniforms from the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) dating from World War II until 1978, when the WAC was integrated into the Army. The uniforms honor the veterans of the Women’s Army Corps, which was first introduced and advocated for by former Massachusetts Congresswoman Edith Nourse Rogers.
The exhibit also highlights many women who served at Massachusetts military installations, including Fort Devens, Bedford Army Air Field (now Hanscom Air Force Base), and Westover Field.
Former Congresswoman Rogers represented Massachusetts’ 5th District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1925 to 1960, covering areas from Lowell to Groton to Ayer. She played a crucial role in shaping policies that provided essential support for veterans. Notably, she was instrumental in establishing the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (which became the WAC in 1943) and advocating for benefits for women veterans. Rogers’ advocacy for veterans and women’s rights helped pave the way for women to serve in the military while ensuring they received proper recognition and benefits for their service.
Since taking office, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has prioritized the revitalization of veterans’ services in Massachusetts. In March 2023, Governor Healey established the state’s Executive Office of Veterans Services (EOVS) and appointed Jon Santiago as the Commonwealth’s first-ever Secretary of Veterans Services to lead the transformation of this cabinet-level secretariat focused on veteran care.
Over the past two years, EOVS has overhauled its operations and programs to redefine how veterans are supported in Massachusetts, including the expansion of the Women Veterans Network (WVN)—a statewide initiative designed to connect, support, and uplift women veterans through tailored resources, outreach, and community-building.
3-5-0 Girls is a local women- and veteran-led organization based in the MetroWest area, named in honor of the 350,000 women who served during World War II. Their mission is to make women’s military history visible and accessible through living history, traveling exhibits, presentations, lectures, community outreach, and public events.