Inside the Bowery Hotel in New York City on Thursday evening, hundreds of women who have served in special operations and other elite military roles gathered to commemorate the anniversary of the September 11 attacks and to honor their service. The event, hosted by ALLTRU, a nonprofit organization dedicated to female special operations veterans, brought together current service members, reservists, retired personnel, and members of related law enforcement and intelligence communities.
Founded five years ago as the only fraternal group specifically for women in special operations, ALLTRU now includes approximately 375 members. The organization’s mission extends beyond camaraderie and support; it also aids women serving in special operations forces internationally, including funding internet access for girls in countries where education is restricted by authoritarian regimes.
The gala coincided with a decade since the Pentagon lifted its ban on women serving in combat roles—a milestone that remains under review amid shifting Defense Department policies. Despite recent controversies involving the promotion of female officers, the event deliberately avoided political commentary, focusing instead on celebration and remembrance.
Many of the women present recounted experiences from groundbreaking roles within the U.S. military. Among them was Shelane Etchison, a former Army major who joined the service in 2008 as a military police officer due to restrictions on women in combat units at that time. By 2011, she was among roughly 300 women who tried out for the newly formed Cultural Support Teams—specialized groups attached to elite units such as Army Rangers, Green Berets, and Navy SEALs. These teams were designed to engage with local women in Afghanistan, providing intelligence that was inaccessible to male soldiers because of cultural norms.
Ms. Etchison described the grueling selection process and the isolation many women felt as the only females on combat deployments. The teams remained highly secretive, and the death of one member, Ashley White, during a Ranger mission in Afghanistan heightened concerns about exposure. Nevertheless, the Cultural Support Teams continued operating through the ensuing years of conflict.
The gala featured a solemn “Old Glory” ceremony, during which a procession of women from various branches of the military passed a folded American flag while paying tribute to its historical significance in combat. Following the formal proceedings, attendees celebrated in evening attire, showcasing the strength and resilience forged through their military careers.
Women present represented diverse roles, including former members of Cultural Support Teams, Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal officers, Naval Special Warfare personnel, Army Special Operations Command soldiers, pilots from multiple branches, and members of the 75th Ranger Regiment. Also attending were Afghan women who had served alongside American forces and were evacuated to the U.S. by ALLTRU five years prior, following the Taliban’s resurgence.
For these women, femininity often was misunderstood as vulnerability during their service, yet many viewed it as a source of strength and a tactical advantage. Their history of contributing in covert and intelligence roles extends to World War II, when women operated within the Office of Strategic Services.
The evening’s commemoration stretched into the early hours of September 11, with veterans reflecting on the events that drew them to military service and the ongoing impact of their sacrifices. The gathering underscored the evolving role of women in combat and the unique challenges they have faced and overcome within the nation’s elite military circles.