The Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation will celebrate the dedication of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian with a special exhibit titled Native American Women in the U.S. Armed Forces. The exhibit will open September 20 with a program of traditional dancing and music as well as a sneak preview of Navajo Women Warriors: Sani Dez-Bah, an all new documentary about Native women's service. The program is free and open to the public and begins at 6 PM. Those interested in attending should reserve seats by calling 703-533-1155.

This is the second phase of a two-part exhibit which initially opened Memorial Day 2003 with a special tribute to Operation Iraqi Freedom hero Specialist Lori Piestewa, a Hopi woman and the first known Native American military woman killed in battle. Besides Piestewa, five other Native women were featured as well as a host of artifacts and memorabilia related to Native servicewomen. Phase II enhances the original exhibit with more women's stories, rare artifacts like a Creek servicewoman's World War II scrapbook, and other unique items. The exhibit will be on display until the end of the year.

Navajo Women Warriors: Sani Dez-Bah, was produced by ArtReach International in cooperation with the Navajo Nation Executive Offices and filmed, in part, on the Sovereign Dineh Indian Reservation. This will be the first public showing of the film. Native Trails, a troupe of traditional dancers from the American west, will provide guests with authentic pow-wow dancing, drumming, storytelling, and flute music and the best of Native American culture and pageantry.

The Women's Memorial is the nation’s only major memorial honoring all servicewomen, past and present. Located at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, the Memorial is readily accessible by Metro (Blue Line) and paid parking is available at the Cemetery Visitor Parking Lot. For more information call 800-222-2294, 703-533-1155 or visit the Women's Memorial website at www.womensmemorial.org. The Memorial is currently open to the public from 8 AM to 7 PM daily and will be open from 8 AM to 5 PM starting October 1.

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