About USMWV

Welcome to our Stories Section, where we honor and celebrate the incredible journeys of women who have served in the U.S. Military. Each story is a testament of the strength resilience, and determination of our of our members. They reflect the unique challenges and triumphs they have experienced throughout their Military Careers and BEYOND.

You will  soon find personal testimonies that capture the spirit of camaraderie, sacrifice, and empowerment that defines our community. These narratives not only showcase the diversity of our experiences but also serve to inspire and uplift others. We invite you to read, reflect, and connect with the powerful stories of the women who have paved the way for future generations of female service members.

Maryann Hites, USMWV President & Founding Member

Hi! My name is Maryann Hites. I have a passion for women veterans and believe the contributions we made were crucial to this country's freedom, no matter what our job (AFSC, MOS, etc.) entailed; so, we need to stand up and be counted for those contributions!  

I joined the U.S. Air Force in 1973. I went in a few months after high school graduation (the final years of Vietnam).  Women were not especially welcome then (today is not much different). So many stories can be told, especially about being a female and single parent...

My assignments included RAF Alconbury, England, (first female vehicle operator at Alconbury); Hahn AB, Germany; Osan AB, Korea; and Florennes AB, Belgium. My stateside assignments were Lackland AFB, Texas (Basic Training); Keesler AFB, Mississippi; Charleston AFB, South Carolina; Little Rock AFB, Arkansas; Dyess AFB, Texas; and, Peterson AFB, Colorado. I travelled a great deal on TDYs (temporary duty) all over.  I loved playing on the Air Force softball and volleyball teams, so much fun!  I retired at Peterson AFB as a Master Sergeant in November 1996 after serving 23 years. 

After retiring, I didn't know what I wanted to do so I returned to school for general education and decided on nursing, earning my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 1999 (UCCS Colorado) and later, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) at Norwich University in Vermont.  I have worked in several medical areas and was glad to have experienced them all. 

I am active with the local American Legion (William Lopp Post 284) and VFW (W.C. Miller) Post 2756 here in Thomasville.  I also am on the NC Memorial Day Parade Committee. I feel that community involvement is important.

I currently reside in Thomasville, NC with my husband Tom and our two rescue dogs Minnie and Rosie. I have one daughter and three grandchildren (a boy (3 yo) and two girls (18 mo & 13 yrs old). I am a native of Pembroke Pines, FL.

Treasurer - Ronnie-Sue Simmons

I starting serving in July 1983 by enlisting in the Air National Guard unit in South Carolina, later transferring to ANG Missouri and ended my military career as an IMA (Individual Mobilization Augmentee) in the Air Force Reserves earning an Air Force retirement after 29 years of service, 13 years of which were on active duty. I retired as an E-8 Senior Master Sergeant while assigned at the Headquarters Air Force, Pentagon in September 2012.

I served in the Middle East-Persian Gulf during Desert Storm as NCOIC of the C-130 base clinic in Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates.

I worked in three career fields during my career, Logistics (MICAP technician), Medical (flight medical technician) and Information Management. During my career I visited most of the United States and several countries, including Panama, Germany, Guatemala, Columbia, Italy, England, and Iceland besides the Middle East.

After retiring militarily, I worked for several years as a Defense Contractor, at Homeland Security, Joint Personnel Recovery Agency (Ft Belvoir, VA), Department of Veterans Affairs “Tech World” in Washington, DC and Department of Defense, International Security Affairs at the Pentagon before retiring permanently in June 2015.

I was born & raised in Pennsylvania and now currently reside in Thomasville, NC with my sister Karen and her husband Tom and our 7+ cats. I am currently active in the VFW and American Legion Posts, and the US Military Women Veterans Group in Thomasville, and am a volunteer for almost anything!

Special Project Coordinator  - Krista Beaver

Secretary - Emily Wardell

Monthly Meeting

1st Friday of every month at 9:30 am

American Legion Post 8 

206 Wilfred Ave., Lexington

Coffee, pastries, and fellowship provided

Donate

U.S. Military Women Veterans events and outreach are fully funded through donations. Donations are used to provide the needed support for women veterans to live successful lives.

<https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/SKQVPPABH9PDS>