The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Ohio (NSCDA) announced a new memorial coming to Eden Park in 2027. The installation will honor generations of women veterans who served the country both in and out of uniform. It will accompany an existing marker placed in 1985, which was the first dedication to women veterans in the United States.
Batavia Township has one of the highest concentrations of veterans in Ohio. As the America 250 celebrations reach their peak in July, a spotlight shines on individuals like these and their remarkable stories of heroism and service. What better time to inspire support for the latest veterans memorial arriving in 2027?
The existing women veterans memorial in Eden Park.
Kathryn Dierckes, a representative for NSCDA - Ohio, met with the Clermont community last Thursday at Batavia Local Schools District to discuss the project.
“Memorials are never built by one person,” Dierckes said. “They are built by communities that decide a story deserves to be remembered.”
During last year's annual gathering of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 10, the organization's president tripped over an object on the ground. Upon closer inspection, the object was none other than the first women’s veteran dedication marker placed in the United States. The NSCDA installed this plaque on October 12, 1985, predating the National Women’s Memorial in Arlington by nearly a decade.
The modest plaque sits not far from the Krohn Conservatory, easy to miss for those who aren’t looking for it. As part of the NSCDA’s mission to preserve history, service existing historic properties, and educate the public, the organization has commissioned a new memorial to accompany the site.
“This is an evolving project by the day,” Dierckes said. The NSCDA secured an artist contract with sculptor Austen Brantley, based out of Toledo, Ohio. Brantley has worked on other public works throughout the country, including a dedication to boxer Joe Louis and the "Power in the Struggle” memorial honoring the Civil Rights movement in Montgomery, Alabama.
Artist Austen Brantley
During her Thursday visit to Batavia Schools, Dierckes presented several stories of women’s valor throughout the nation’s history.
She remembered Deborah Sampson, who disguised herself as a man to fight in the American War for Independence. The military discovered Sampson’s secret after she sustained an injury in combat, but history still honors her today for bravery during a time when leadership refused women the right to serve.
Deborah Sampson
Harriet Tubman was another high-profile name recognized during the presentation. The public remembers Tubman not only for her efforts to free enslaved people through the Underground Railroad, but also for her service as a Union spy during the Civil War.
Harriet Tubman
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker graduated from medical school in 1855 and repeatedly sought permission to serve during the Civil War. The United States Armed Forces initially denied her requests, so she took it upon herself to help the war effort in her own ways, often navigating dangerous battlefield conditions to assist injured combatants.
She was eventually attached to the 52nd Ohio Infantry and became the first female surgeon in the US Army. Captured in 1864, the military awarded her the Medal of Honor and she has since been the only woman in American history to receive it.
Dr. Mary Edwards Walker
More recent examples of heroism reflect the cross-generational service that women have contributed during wartime. Dierckes recalled how Major Charity Adams became the highest-ranking black woman in the US military during WWII and commanded the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.
The Six Triple Eight cleared a massive backlog of undelivered mail for the American troops in Europe. “It is all of these stories and many more, known and unknown, that we are seeking to memorialize with this project,” Dierckes said.
Major Charity Adams
To her, who happens to have a son in active duty, the memorial is deeply personal. “I hear their stories and think of the women and all they’ve done for our country, and they never asked for anything. In a way, this is the least that we can do to thank them.”
The NSCDA partnered with 1001 Colors last fall to begin planning for the new memorial. The organization is currently working with Cincinnati Parks on the memorial's design and approval process.
Although the design is not yet final, the NSCDA approved the concept and involved the curator at the Women in Military Service Memorial to ensure historical accuracy.
The current concept features four 5’6” sculptures depicting women across different eras of military history. The installation will also feature the American flag, not as a background piece, but as an integral part of the sculpture's composition. The NSCDA aims for the piece to convey a shared legacy of service and sisterhood during the nation’s most challenging historical periods.
The organization will hold a presentation at Eden Park on Veterans Day 2026, with more details on the memorial's progress.
Eden Park
The final unveiling will take place on July 12, 2027 (Women Veterans Recognition Day).
Dierckes handles much of the outreach for projects like these in the Cincinnati region. She is currently garnering support through community events, word of mouth, and financial contributions from donors.
She praised the local Clermont community for its enthusiastic support of the memorial. “I’ve never worked on a project like this before, where people come together universally and say, ‘Yes, and how can I help?’"
Clermont residents and business owners who are interested in donating to the project can contact the NSCDA at cincywomenveteransmemorial@gmail.com.
Donors can also leave gifts on behalf of others, including living and deceased veterans.
Get the latest updates on the Women Veterans Memorial.
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