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For 25 years, between 1951 and 1976, women service members were involuntarily separated from the military due to motherhood, leaving without separation benefits, counseling or assistance. In 2023, Congress recognized the injustice in its annual defense policy bill, acknowledging the harm it caused to women troops. Now, Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Calif., is leading legislation that aims to make financial and symbolic amends.

Rep. Julia Brownley (D-Calif.) introduced the Women Involuntary Separated Earnings Remittance (WISER) Act last week to “rectify a wrong perpetuated against women servicemembers” who were discharged due to an executive order by former President Harry Truman.

In October, nearly four years after Mariner’s death to ovarian cancer, President Joe Biden signed legislation naming the new clinic for Mariner. Her name was recommended by an advisory panel of veterans and community leaders put together by U.S. Rep. Julia Brownley, D-Westlake Village, who helped lead the drive for the new clinic.