[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 10, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E124-E125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MARGARETHE ``GRETHE'' CAMMERMEYER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK LARSEN

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 10, 2026

  Mr. LARSEN of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
celebrate Colonel Margarethe ``Grethe'' Cammermeyer's contributions to 
LGBTQ rights and neuroscience nursing in the United States.
  Born in Oslo, Norway, Grethe became a citizen in 1960 and joined the 
Army Nurse Corps in 1961 when she was just 19 years old. After 
finishing college, she served on active duty as an Army nurse in 
Germany, the U.S. and Vietnam. She later earned a master's degree and 
Ph.D. from the University of Washington's School of Nursing. She served 
concurrent careers in VA medical centers, the Army Reserves and the 
National Guard.
  In 1988, while answering a question during a routine security 
clearance interview, Grethe disclosed that she was a lesbian. The 
National Guard then began military discharge proceedings against her, 
but Grethe challenged this action in federal court. In June 1994, a

[[Page E125]]

federal court ruled that her discharge and the ban on gays and lesbians 
serving in the military were unconstitutional, paving the way for 
future LGBTQ service members in our armed services. After returning to 
the National Guard, she served courageously as one of the few openly 
gay or lesbian people in the U.S. military until her retirement in 
1997.
  Grethe is a decorated member of the U.S. military and a nationally 
recognized practitioner of neuroscience nursing. With a focus on 
neuroscience, she has been an active researcher and author or 
contributor to dozens of publications. She has been recognized as the 
Veterans Administration Nurse of the Year in 1985, earned the Bronze 
Star for Service in Vietnam, and was Chief Nurse of the Washington 
National Guard.
  Throughout her career, she challenged policies that discriminated 
against married women and married women who became pregnant. In 2010, 
after 17 years of advocating for the repeal of ``Don't Ask, Don't 
Tell'', Colonel Cammermeyer led the Pledge of Allegiance during 
President Obama's ceremony repealing the policy. Gay men and women are 
now allowed to serve openly in the military because of her 
determination and persistence. In 2012, after same-sex marriage was 
legalized in Washington State, Grethe and her partner Diane Divelbess 
became the first same-sex couple to receive a license in Island County. 
Grethe is not just celebrated among her Island County neighbors but 
recognized nationwide for her contributions to LGBTQ rights.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to commend Grethe for her outstanding 
courage, dedication to expanding the field of neuroscience nursing and 
enduring legacy of service to her community. I ask my colleagues to 
join me in expressing our deepest gratitude for her service.

                          ____________________