NEW ORLEANS- Since Opha May Johnson signed the dotted line in 1918, women have been making their mark in United States Marine Corps history. To ensure the traditions and history of women Marines are passed on to new generations, the Women Marines Association was established in 1960.

The Molly Marine chapter LA-1 of New Orleans received multiple awards at their recent WMA convention and professional development conference; including the most prestigious award given: the Ruth and Dick Broe Award.

More than 70 WMA chapters competed in five categories of awards: newsletter, history book, website, recruiting, and chapter achievement. The Molly Marine chapter entered two categories in the chapter achievement competition and placed first in “volunteerism” and “Esprit de Corps, patriotism and camaraderie.”

“There are so many things, just in the last two years, that we’ve done,” said Cpl. Elizabeth Damron, the special projects officer for the Molly Marine chapter.

The main volunteer event, that is near to each member’s heart, is the annual Molly Marine statue clean-up. After Mardi Gras each year, the chapter makes it their mission to restore the first Molly Marine statue, sculpted in 1943, to its original state. Other events include feeding the homeless, cleaning up the Audubon Zoo, regular visits to nursing homes, and hosting multiple fundraisers.

It is because of events like these, that the chapter received the Ruth and Dick Broe Award. This most-celebrated award is given to the one chapter that has demonstrated overall chapter achievement over the past two years.

“As area director, I am so proud of our Louisiana chapter; their active participation in community events is commendable and they are well deserving of the award,” said Maria Crowley, Women Marines Association area six director.

The local Molly Marine chapter was presented with a plaque that has been shared among chapters since 1998. On Monday, Oct. 15, the chapter presented the award to Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, commander of Marine Forces Reserve.

“This is a great honor, thank you so much,” said Hummer. “I'm privileged to be the commander of Marine Forces Reserve at this time and to be able to receive this wonderful plaque.”

The plaque will hang at the Marine Corps Support Facility New Orleans until the next convention in 2014 when the Molly Marine chapter will be presented with a personalized, permanent plaque to be placed in the building.

In the next two years, the Molly Marine chapter plans on doing even more volunteer events and increasing member participation.

“We’ve done such an awesome job the past two years. I see us improving by maybe doing a little bit more volunteerism and community service,” said Melanie L. Young, president of the Molly Marine chapter.

The WMA, a non-profit and charitable organization, is the only veterans association for and about women Marines. There are 78 chapters in the U.S. and several chapters in other countries around the world. Their mission statement focuses on preserving history, being charitable, promoting the well-being of elderly women Marine veterans, promoting community welfare, and fostering camaraderie among those who have served and are serving in the Marine Corps. For more information on the WMA visit: http://www.womenmarines.org.

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