Women's History Month 2003 commemorative events continue at the Women In Military Service For America Memorial on March 25 with a discussion and book signing for The First, The Few, The Forgotten - Navy and Marine Corps Women in World War I. Authors Jean Ebbert and Marie-Beth Hall will lead the discussion which is scheduled for 12 noon to 1 PM. The program is the final event in a series of brown bag lunch programs hosted by the Women's Memorial Foundation in celebration of Women's History Month.

The First, The Few, The Forgotten - Navy and Marine Corps Women in World War I is groundbreaking and unique in its discussion of these all-but-forgotten women who served in the military during World War I. Shattering the myth that the role of women was limited to nursing, this absorbing text breathes life into history and brings to light the stories of the nearly 12,500 women who served in the US Naval and Marine Corps Reserves from 1917-1920. Ms. Ebbert, a seasoned author and Navy veteran herself, along with Ms. Hall, who is an editor, researcher and writer, also co-authored Crossed Currents: Navy Women in a Century of Change, which was published in 1993. Fascinated with the depth and richness of information uncovered about the World War I women while researching for Crossed Currents, the authors concluded that this lost part of military and women's history deserved to be told. The First, The Few, The Forgotten was released in 2002.

The program is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch and a friend. Those interested in attending can reserve a seat by calling 703-533-1155 or 800-222-2294. The Women’s Memorial, located at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, is readily accessible by Metro (Blue Line) and paid parking is available.

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