Serving In Silence - Paperback
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Serving In Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story
VIETNAM VETERAN
RECIPIENT OF THE BRONZE STAR
MOTHER OF FOUR
VA NURSE OF THE YEAR
DISCHARGED
In 1989, during a routine interview for top-secret security clearance, U.S. Army Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer revealed that she was a lesbian—and began an ordeal that, despite her distinguished twenty-six-year military career, resulted in her discharge from the U.S. Army. Her dismissal garnered intense media coverage, stirred debate all the way to the presidency, and ignited her activism that continues today.
In this revealing autobiography, Cammermeyer writes of her decision to challenge the official policy on homosexuals in the military and of her victory in Federal District Court and beyond. But much more than a book about laws and politics, Serving in Silence is about coming of age, being a mother, and finding one's center; about the daily horrors of nursing in Vietnam; about "coming out"; and about a brave soldier's life.
The Book That Inspired the Television Movie
Starring Glenn Close as Margarethe Cammermeyer. The NBC made-for-television movie received three Emmy Awards and the prestigious Peabody Award, with Barbra Streisand as executive producer.
Updated Edition with Epilogue
This new edition includes events from 1994 to 2016, covering the life-changing results of ending Don't Ask, Don't Tell and legalized marriage for same-sex couples.
Distinguished Military and Civilian Career
Throughout Col. Cammermeyer's life, her achievements included completion of a BS in Nursing from the University of Maryland and a M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Washington, which honored her with the 2015 "Distinguished Alumni Veterans Award." Col. Cammermeyer has received many other awards including The 2016 "Leonard Matlovich Award" from the American Veterans for Equal Rights; induction into the Washington State Nurses Hall of Fame in 2014; The "Legacy Award" from the Point Foundation in 2010; the "Women Who Dared" Award from the National Council of Jewish Women in 1999; and the "Soldier of Freedom Award" from the Human Rights Campaign in 1993.
Though Dr. Cammermeyer's twenty-six year career as an Army nurse was interrupted by her discharge, she continued to care for veterans at a VA hospital until her retirement. She lives on Whidbey Island, WA with her spouse Diane Divelbess and continues to speak out on civil rights issues.
Cammermeyer, Margarethe: "There are times when change can be made only by individuals stepping forth to expose themselves and their vulnerability so that others become aware that there are differences in the world and that these differences are okay. They don't affect our ability to be part of an organization or to make a contribution." - Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer, Ret.
Born in Oslo, Norway in 1942 during the Nazi occupation, Cammermeyer lived across from Nazi headquarters. Her parents used her in their exploits as they supported the Norwegian underground in resisting the Nazis. At 17, Cammermeyer started college at the University of Maryland. By 1960, she was old enough to become an American citizen. In 1961, she joined the Army Student Nurse Program.
In 1967, she was sent to the 24th Evacuation Hospital at Long Binh, Vietnam for 14 months as head nurse of a medical unit and then eight months as head nurse of the neurosurgical intensive care unit. She returned to the military in the Army Reserves in 1972, ultimately achieving the rank of Colonel in 1987.
In 1989, as Chief Nurse of the Washington State National Guard, she told the military, "I am a lesbian" during a top-security clearance interview. She was separated from the military on 11 June 1992, despite an exemplary military and civilian professional record. Her attorneys filed suit in Federal District Court in Seattle challenging the existing ban on homosexuals in the military. The policy was judged unconstitutional and based on prejudice. She was reinstated in the National Guard in June of 1994, resuming her previous position as Chief Nurse. In March 1997, after 31 years of dedicated service to America, she retired with full military privileges.
Dr. Cammermeyer and Diane Divelbess, her partner since 1988, were married on the first day that same sex marriage was legal in Washington State.
Edition
Revised with Ne Edition
Contributor(s)
Author
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Serving In Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story
VIETNAM VETERAN
RECIPIENT OF THE BRONZE STAR
MOTHER OF FOUR
VA NURSE OF THE YEAR
DISCHARGED
In 1989, during a routine interview for top-secret security clearance, U.S. Army Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer revealed that she was a lesbian—and began an ordeal that, despite her distinguished twenty-six-year military career, resulted in her discharge from the U.S. Army. Her dismissal garnered intense media coverage, stirred debate all the way to the presidency, and ignited her activism that continues today.
In this revealing autobiography, Cammermeyer writes of her decision to challenge the official policy on homosexuals in the military and of her victory in Federal District Court and beyond. But much more than a book about laws and politics, Serving in Silence is about coming of age, being a mother, and finding one's center; about the daily horrors of nursing in Vietnam; about "coming out"; and about a brave soldier's life.
The Book That Inspired the Television Movie
Starring Glenn Close as Margarethe Cammermeyer. The NBC made-for-television movie received three Emmy Awards and the prestigious Peabody Award, with Barbra Streisand as executive producer.
Updated Edition with Epilogue
This new edition includes events from 1994 to 2016, covering the life-changing results of ending Don't Ask, Don't Tell and legalized marriage for same-sex couples.
Distinguished Military and Civilian Career
Throughout Col. Cammermeyer's life, her achievements included completion of a BS in Nursing from the University of Maryland and a M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Washington, which honored her with the 2015 "Distinguished Alumni Veterans Award." Col. Cammermeyer has received many other awards including The 2016 "Leonard Matlovich Award" from the American Veterans for Equal Rights; induction into the Washington State Nurses Hall of Fame in 2014; The "Legacy Award" from the Point Foundation in 2010; the "Women Who Dared" Award from the National Council of Jewish Women in 1999; and the "Soldier of Freedom Award" from the Human Rights Campaign in 1993.
Though Dr. Cammermeyer's twenty-six year career as an Army nurse was interrupted by her discharge, she continued to care for veterans at a VA hospital until her retirement. She lives on Whidbey Island, WA with her spouse Diane Divelbess and continues to speak out on civil rights issues.
Cammermeyer, Margarethe: "There are times when change can be made only by individuals stepping forth to expose themselves and their vulnerability so that others become aware that there are differences in the world and that these differences are okay. They don't affect our ability to be part of an organization or to make a contribution." - Col. Margarethe Cammermeyer, Ret.
Born in Oslo, Norway in 1942 during the Nazi occupation, Cammermeyer lived across from Nazi headquarters. Her parents used her in their exploits as they supported the Norwegian underground in resisting the Nazis. At 17, Cammermeyer started college at the University of Maryland. By 1960, she was old enough to become an American citizen. In 1961, she joined the Army Student Nurse Program.
In 1967, she was sent to the 24th Evacuation Hospital at Long Binh, Vietnam for 14 months as head nurse of a medical unit and then eight months as head nurse of the neurosurgical intensive care unit. She returned to the military in the Army Reserves in 1972, ultimately achieving the rank of Colonel in 1987.
In 1989, as Chief Nurse of the Washington State National Guard, she told the military, "I am a lesbian" during a top-security clearance interview. She was separated from the military on 11 June 1992, despite an exemplary military and civilian professional record. Her attorneys filed suit in Federal District Court in Seattle challenging the existing ban on homosexuals in the military. The policy was judged unconstitutional and based on prejudice. She was reinstated in the National Guard in June of 1994, resuming her previous position as Chief Nurse. In March 1997, after 31 years of dedicated service to America, she retired with full military privileges.
Dr. Cammermeyer and Diane Divelbess, her partner since 1988, were married on the first day that same sex marriage was legal in Washington State.
Edition
Revised with Ne Edition
Contributor(s)
Author