Women's Equality Day: military firsts Published Aug. 25, 2011 Staff Reports 48th Fighter Wing ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - -- On Aug. 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment to the U. S. Constitution was signed granting women the right to vote. Seventy one years later Congress designated Aug. 26 Women's Equality Day. In honor of this day, consider these military women "firsts": The first to receive pensions for military service: Deborah Samson was granted a pension by the Massachusetts legislature in 1804 and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania awarded Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley a pension in 1822 of 40 dollars a year "for services rendered" during the war. During the Mexican War, Elizabeth Newcume, in male attire, was mustered into military service at Fort Leavenworth in September 1847. She served 10 months and spent time fighting Native Americans at Dodge City until her sex was discovered and she was discharged. It took a private act of Congress to award Newcume full payment for 10 months service, plus three months extra pay and a bounty land warrant for 160 acres, 1848. The first to receive medals: The first, and only, woman to receive the Medal of Honor was Dr. Mary Walker, a contract surgeon during the Civil War. Col. Oveta Culp Hobby, the first director of the Women's Army Corps, was the first woman to receive the U.S. Army Distinguished Service Medal in 1945. The first woman to receive the Purple Heart was Annie Fox while serving at Hickam Field during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The first to enlist: Philadelphian Loretta Walsh enlisted in March 1917 and became the first Yeoman (F) in the U.S. Navy. Sgt. Esther Blake is considered the "first woman in the Air Force" having enlisted in the first minute of the first hour of the first day the regular Air Force was authorized. This took place July 8, 1948, at Fort McPhearson, Ga., where Blake was stationed as a member of the WAC. By enlisting in the Air Force she became the first Women in the Air Force. The first to attain the highest enlisted rank: Air Force - Chief Master Sgt. Grace Peterson - 1960 Army - Sgt. Major Carolyn James - 1960 Navy - Master Chief Yeoman Anne Dervartanian - 1959 Marine Corps - Master Gunnery Sgt. Geraldine Moran - 1960 Coast Guard - Master Chief Yeoman Pearl Faurie - 1964 The first to attain brigadier general rank: Air Force - Brig. Gen. Jeanne Holm - 1971 Army - Brig. Gen. Elizabeth Hoisington - 1970 Navy - Rear Adm. Fran McKee - 1976 Marines - Brig. Gen. Margaret Brewer - 1978