The Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation and the Women’s Research & Education Institute (WREI) will co-host a discussion and book signing with six women authors, five of whom are graduates of the nation’s prestigious military academies, on Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010, at 6:30 p.m. The event is in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of women graduating from the Academies, a major milestone in the history of women’s service to the nation.

The authors will discuss their books as well as offer their first-hand perspective of the young women who have come of age over the past 30 years at the Service Academies—their contributions to the military and to today’s combat team. Retired Navy Captain Lory Manning, WREI’s Director of the Women in the Military Project, will moderate the discussion.

Participating authors include:

• US Coast Guard Reserve Commander Martha LaGuardia-Kotite (USCG Academy 1989), So Others May Live: Coast Guard’s Rescue Swimmers: Saving Lives, Defying Death (2008)
  
  
• Retired Navy Commander Darlene M. Iskra (first Navy woman to command a ship at sea), Women in the United States Armed Forces: A Guide to the Issues (Contemporary Military, Strategic, and Security Issues) (2010); Breaking through the Brass Ceiling: Strategies of Success for Elite Military Women (2008)
  
  
• Sharon Hanley Disher (US Naval Academy 1980), First Class: Women Join the Ranks at the Naval Academy (1998)
  
  
• Gail O’Sullivan Dwyer (West Point 1981), Tough as Nails: One Woman’s Journey Through West Point (2009)
  
  
• Donna McAleer (West Point 1987), Porcelain on Steel: Women of West Point’s Long Gray Line (2010)
  
  
• Amy Efaw (West Point 1989), Battle Dress (2000) and After (2009)
  

The event, which will be held at the Women’s Memorial, is free and open to the public. To reserve a seat, RSVP by calling 703-533-1155 or email hq@womensmemorial.org. Please include the number attending.

The Women’s Memorial, located at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, is on the METRO Blue Line, Arlington Cemetery stop and paid parking at the Arlington Cemetery Visitor Lot is available. If using a GPS device, use the “Landmark” feature with Arlington National Cemetery.

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