FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Date: June 3, 2025 

Media Contacts:  

info@wiscimil.org

908.256.6727 

WASHINGTON, DC – On June 5, Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06) will hold a press conference with the Women in the Services Coalition (WiSCI) to express their support for women in the military and address the Trump Administration’s efforts to erase their accomplishments and historic contributions. Specifically, Rep. Houlahan, Rep. Deluzio, and representatives of WiSCI will address recent Administration actions and executive orders designed to sideline women in the military, undermine senior female leaders, and minimize or demolish many of the programs that support and protect women in the military.

“Women have fought in every American conflict going back to the Revolutionary War, yet this administration pretends that only men can lead troops in combat,” said Brenda S. “Sue” Fulton, Army veteran and Executive Director of WiSCI. “Now, senior women are fired without cause. DACOWITS (Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Service) is reportedly being disbanded, despite a long history of recommendations that strengthened military readiness. Women are removed from DOD websites. Service members are discouraged or prohibited from participating in any events that acknowledge the historic legacy of women.”

“We as veterans are here, standing up for women still in uniform, because their voices are silenced,” she added.

Speakers will include:

REP Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Air Force veteran and Ranking Member of the HASC Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

REP Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Navy veteran and graduate of the US Naval Academy.

REP Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Navy veteran.

Ky Hunter, Marine veteran and CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).

Janessa Goldbeck, Marine Corps veteran.

Mary Tobin, Army veteran.

Olivia McQuail, Army veteran and Ranger-qualified.

Sue Fulton will emcee.

Media inquiries should be directed to info@wiscimil.org. 

Bios: 

Janessa Goldbeck served as a Marine Corps Combat Engineer Officer, leading missions overseas and supporting service members as a Uniformed Victim Advocate. Before serving in the military, Janessa led efforts to protect civilians in conflict zones as a human rights advocate. She currently serves as CEO of Vet Voice Foundation, a national nonprofit that advocates for veterans and military families to actively participate in our democracy.

Mary Tobin is a 2003 West Point graduate. She served 10 years in the US Army as a communications officer, including two combat tours in Iraq. Mary co-founded Do More Together, the first official organization of Black West Point alumni. She currently serves as Vice President of Programs at More Perfect Union, which seeks to unite the country and strengthen communities through social connection, service, and civic engagement.

Sue Fulton is a 1980 West Point graduate, from the first class to include women. Since her Army service, she has continued to advocate for a stronger military through repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and lifting the combat exclusion rule. She previously served as Assistant Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and is currently the Executive Director of the Women in the Service Coalition, Inc. (WiSCI).

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About WiSCI: The Women in the Service Coalition, Inc. (WiSCI), is a  new organization formed by women veterans concerned about the erasure of women’s accomplishments in military service, the threats to women’s ability to serve in all roles for which they are qualified, cuts to initiatives designed to remove barriers to inclusion, and the consequent impact to military readiness and effectiveness.