Alaska History: Mary Louise Rasmuson

Col. Mary Louise Milligan Rasmuson and Lt. Gen. Russell L. Vittrup, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel, Department of the Army, at her retirement at Fort McClellan, 30 July 1962. Photo: U.S. Army, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

If you go to the Anchorage Museum, you’ll see a carved bust of a woman named Mary Louise Rasmuson. She looks like a kind old lady, and she was, but she was much more than that. Let me tell you a bit about her.

Mary Louise Milligan Rasmuson was born in 1911 in East Pittsburgh, PA. Most universities did not admit women during this time period, but she was able to complete a Bachelor of Education degree at Women’s College at Carnegie Mellon University, and a Master’s in School Administration at the University of Pittsburgh. She went on to work as a secretary, teacher, and school administrator.

When World War II arrived, Mary Louise wanted to help her country and became a WAC (member of the Women’s Army Corps).  She worked her way up to the rank of Colonel and after serving in Europe for four years was appointed the WAC director in 1957, then reappointed in 1961.  During her service, she worked to integrate Black women in the Corps and allow women to gain more assignments, promotions, and service benefits equal to male service members.

She met Elmer Rasmuson when he was Alaska’s civilian aide to the Army.  Shortly after, she moved to Alaska with her new husband. Adapting to Alaskan life, she had no problem with camping, fishing, flying in Bush planes, and visiting remote villages. With her husband, Mary Louise worked on several causes including civil rights, health care, and the arts.  She was instrumental in founding the Anchorage Museum. Mary Louise also served on the Rasmuson Foundation board for 45 years and helped them grant millions of dollars to nonprofit organizations.

Operation Mary Louise is a project to connect women veterans to resources in Alaska. I think she’d be pleased to have her name on it. You can learn more about it at

https://operationmarylouise.org

Check out more photos and details about Mary Louise Rasmuson at these sites:

https://www.anchoragemuseum.org/exhibits/extra-tough-women-of-the-north/women-of-the-north-profiles/mary-louise-rasmuson-leader-and-philanthropist/

https://rasmuson.org/people/mary-louise-rasmuson/

Mary Louise Rasmuson showed a combination of grit and grace that few people can muster. We were lucky that she made Alaska her home.