The Purple Heart, military working dogs, and even the Vietnam War — all have been featured on U.S. postal stamps, but there’s a new proposition to create a special series of stamps to honor women veterans.
Congresswoman Julia Brownley, D-Calif., introduced legislation Tuesday, hoping to create a “Forever” stamp series honoring 17 women in particular.
“Over two million women veterans have served our nation with honor and distinction, and they often go from being a visible minority while serving to an invisible minority when they become veterans. Women have served in our military since the Revolutionary War, and it is important that we recognize their significant contributions in service to our nation,” Brownley said.
The Postal Service has issued stamps in the past honoring military women, like this “Women in Military Service” stamp.
The stamp, introduced in 1997, debuted the same day the Women in Military Service for America Memorial in Washington, D.C. was dedicated.
Brownley’s legislation, however, lists several women as focus for "Forever" stamps including Hazel Lee, the first Asian American woman to become a military pilot; 1st Lieutenant Ashley White and Captain Jennifer Moreno, Cultural Support Team members who were killed in action; Senior Chief Petty Officer Shannon Kent, the first woman to die in combat in Syria; and Specialist Lori Piestewa, the first Native American woman to die in combat while serving in the U.S. military, among others.
The U.S. Postal Service holds a selection process for stamp subjects throughout the year and the public is encouraged to submit their ideas. As of January 2018, USPS announced that no living persons will be honored on a stamp and deceased individuals will be honored no earlier than three years after his or her death.
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