Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will host a forum featuring three D.C. National Guard women back from combat duty in Iraq on Monday, April 21, 2008, 5:30 PM to 7:30PM in 2203 Rayburn. The forum, to be moderated by Commander Carol Holland, will be followed by a reception honoring the Commander and the three soldiers, Specialist Stephanie Wade, Captain Yolanda Lee and Captain Gladys Lanier.

Norton said, "These women are among more than 160,000 women who have served in combat in Iraq. Despite their numbers, most of us are uninformed about the experience of women who serve in combat during a shooting war." Yet, Norton said, "Women are not only a sizable but also an indispensable part of today's armed services. We can't do without them but we know next to nothing about their unique experience."

The Congresswoman is a strong opponent of the invasion of Iraq and is a champion of the volunteer soldiers on whom the country depends and has sponsored a number of bills to help reduce their risk in combat and to ease their transition back home. I want my constituents to hear directly from these courageous women who have been on the front lines of the Iraq war. Norton said, "We will not understand this or any other war, or the sacrifices made by so many for so few until we break the silence surrounding the women who serve in the same combat positions as men today."

Light refreshments will be served at the reception.