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Air Force bands celebrate Women's History Month

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Brooke Emery
Washington, D.C. --  As the Air Force at large celebrates the contribution and achievement of women among its ranks, we at The U.S. Air Force Band pay tribute to our unique history by commemorating the significant milestones that have allowed our organization to become what it is today - a dynamic and relevant musical tour-de-force, comprised of the finest Airmen musicians in the country - regardless of gender.

"Few people know the 'how, when and why' women musicians joined the ranks of our nation's military bands," says Joe Tersero in his 2015 article written for the Air Force Musician's Association newsletter, entitled "When History Becomes 'Her' Story." The article details the struggles and triumph of female musicians in service bands, which began in the 1940s with the creation of separate all-women groups, advanced in the 1970s with the first women members integrated into the nation's premier bands, and continues in today's force where, in The U.S. Air Force Band, women comprise 27% of the on-stage Airmen musicians.

During the early 1900s, answering phone calls, maintaining records and providing minor health care were some of few roles women who served in the military were permitted to fill. Jobs left vacant by enlisted men gave women the opportunity to step up and volunteer on the home front. Such was the case with military bands, beginning in 1942. Women of America were called upon to serve in eight newly formed all-female bands and several women-only drum corps during the "Free a Man to Fight" campaign, used as part of the U.S. military strategy in early World War II. Used primarily as a recruiting tool, the bands also performed for war bond drives, entertained troops and engendered goodwill amongst war-weary citizens. Though the bands thrived, all except one were deactivated after the war, a victim of the same legislation that brought them into existence initially. Says Tersero, "One can only imagine the disappointment of these women veterans as their bands were quickly dismantled. However, by their magnificent artistry and unrelenting dedication, they proved women could do the job, and thus paved the way for integration of women in our nation's military bands."

In June 1955, the 543rd Air Force Band, made up of 19 female Airmen, was expanded to some 50 members and officially designated "The United States WAF Band." This upgrade acknowledged their de facto status as USAF representatives, rather than their original status as a simple base band. This meant there were now two bands serving as ambassadors of the USAF: the all-male Air Force Band and the all-female WAF Band. The WAF Band was dissolved in 1961.

In 1952, Martha (Chave) Stewart was hired by the U.S. Air Force Band to serve as a vocalist for the ensemble. It would be another twenty years before a female instrumentalist would be hired by any of the service bands, when Karen (Riale) Erler was hired as a clarinetist in The U.S. Air Force Band. The rest of the service bands followed suit, and by 1973 all premier bands had at least one female member, with numbers increasing rapidly as more women seized the opportunity to audition for vacancies.  Over one quarter of the performing members of The U.S. Air Force Band are now female.

The efforts of women in the past allow for today's women to make their own history not defined by gender. The U.S. Air Force Band, originally all male, then separated by gender, now proudly stands with the Air Force as a whole as a more inclusive team, more powerful than ever. We are proud to share our heritage as we look to the future.