Brigadier General Wilma L. Vaught, USAF, Retired, served in the United States Air Force for over 28 years, retiring in 1985 as one of the most highly decorated women in U.S. history.  Throughout her career, General Vaught forged new paths and pioneered opportunities for the servicewomen who would follow.  A Vietnam veteran, she was one of the few military women in that war who were not nurses.  And, when she was promoted to brigadier general in 1980, she was one of a handful of women in the world who had ever achieved that distinction.

While her military accomplishments are extraordinary, General Vaught's most lasting contribution will be her successful efforts related to the Women In Military Service For America Memorial where she was the driving force that built and now operates the $22.5 million memorial. Located at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, the Women’s Memorial is the nation’s only major memorial to pay tribute to the more than 2.5 million women who have served in the nation’s defense.  The Memorial stands as a place where America’s servicewomen can take their rightful place in history and where their stories will be told for future generations.  Because of Wilma Vaught, the American people and visitors from around the world can learn of the courage and bravery of tens of thousands of American women who, like her, have pioneered the future.

Carol L. O’Riordan, Founding and Managing Partner at the O’Riordan Bethel Law Firm, LLP, has more than twenty years experience in the fields of government contracts (federal, state and municipal); construction contracts and litigation; complex litigation; and negotiation of domestic and international government contracts, construction and financing transactions.  

Ms. O'Riordan has extensive experience in commercial construction and government contract related matters, having represented clients nationwide on government procurement issues from bid protests through claims preparation, pricing, negotiations and litigation.  She is a recognized authority and frequent lecturer on federal and state certification programs, including the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 8(a)BD program, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, and the District of Columbia Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) program.

In addition, Ms. O’Riordan is also a Co-Founder and Director of Washington Consulting Corporation, which specializes in advising governments and companies on matters related to public procurement, and facilitates trade and investment activities of U.S. and international companies.

Ms. O’Riordan obtained her J.D. from Boston University in 1983, and her undergraduate degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University in 1980.  She is a recipient of Boston Univeristy School of Law’s Young Lawyer’s Chair.