Military Women's Memorial’s Post

I wrote an article published on Military Veterans of America's website on evidence-based #publichealth initiatives that support minority Veterans. Racial and ethnic minority Veterans are 44 percent more likely to be in fair or poor mental or emotional health and 51 percent more likely to be in fair or poor physical health (Blevins & Blevins, 2021). The number of minority Veterans is projected to rise to 32.8 percent by 2037 and to 36.2 percent by 2045, making attention to minority Veterans a key issue for Veteran #publicpolicy (Blevins & Blevins, 2021). Read Here:

1. Women veterans have played crucial roles in every conflict since the Revolutionary War, yet their contributions are often overshadowed by their male counterparts, leading to a lack of recognition and appreciation for their service. 2. Despite making up about 10% of the veteran population, women veterans face unique challenges, including gender-specific healthcare needs and higher rates of homelessness, underscoring the need for tailored support services. 3. The stories of women veterans are powerful testimonies of resilience and courage, breaking stereotypes and inspiring future generations, but these narratives are frequently underrepresented in media and historical accounts. 4. Women veterans often encounter a "double invisibility" in both the military and civilian sectors, struggling to have their service acknowledged and their transition back to civilian life supported adequately. 5. Recognizing and honoring the service of women veterans is not only a matter of justice and equality but also enriches our understanding of military history and strengthens the support networks for all veterans. Blessed to have gotten the chance to attend the Women’s Veteran Gala with my beautiful forever date. Such a powerful event to honor all those women past and present for their service to our nation.

For the first day of #BlackHistoryMonth we want to share important information on Black Veteran statistics from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Racial and ethnic minority veterans are a growing proportion of the veteran population, and Black Veterans are a large part of this group. Addressing health disparities among veterans is essential to achieving health equity for all Veterans at VA. Did you know that Black Veterans have a higher proportion with a service-connected disability (63.7%) compared to non-Hispanic White Veterans (55.1%)? Black or African American Veterans comprise 16.0% of all veterans using Veterans Health Administration. To read more of the National Veteran Health Equity Report visit: https://lnkd.in/evzXKnTX

During a recent conference attended by one of our team members, a poignant observation was shared by a female veteran speaker. She remarked that in gatherings where veterans are acknowledged, the attention often naturally gravitates towards her male colleagues. It's an observation that underscores the importance of recognizing the diverse experiences and contributions of all veterans. Women in the Armed Forces have undergone remarkable growth, evolving from comprising just 1% in 1971 to 20% today and growing. This upward trajectory stands as a testament to their resilience and dedication to serving their country. As a nonprofit organization led by a woman and an Army Veteran, we hold deep respect for the sacrifices and achievements of female veterans. With over 2 million women Veterans residing in the United States, their presence and impact on our society are undeniable. Moreover, women play integral roles on the frontlines of our communities, 5% of firefighters, 14% of police officers, 35% of emergency medical personnel, and an impressive 85% in the nursing profession. Overall, women make up roughly half the workforce in the United States. On this International Women's Day, as we celebrate the extraordinary women in our lives for their remarkable contributions both personally and professionally, let us also extend our heartfelt appreciation to the women who have served their country and communities with unwavering courage and dedication. We encourage you to take a moment today to express gratitude to any female veteran or first responder you may know, acknowledging their selfless service and sacrifice. Here's to the remarkable women who have shaped our past, present, and future. Your resilience, strength, and compassion inspire us all. #InternationalWomensDay #womenveterans #womenfirstresponders #thankyou

Fox Nation honoring military, first responders, & more - Read more at:

Why does DAV (Disabled American Veterans) advocate for #womenveterans? A few reasons: 🙋♀️ The military and Department of Veterans Affairs were designed for men. That's not a criticism, just a fact. We (all of us) have a duty to make sure a system that largely neglected women from the start makes the changes needed to serve ALL #veterans today. 🙋♀️ As service members and veterans, women historically have been underserved and underrecognized--so much so that some women veterans struggle to identify themselves as veterans. They've been told for too long that their service doesn't count. 🙋♀️ Military service affects everyone differently, but there are shared experiences among women that are different from the shared experiences of men. For example, women report experiencing military sexual trauma at a vastly higher rate compared to men. 🙋♀️ Women are the fastest growing subpopulation of veterans. DAV fights to ensure the VA and Congress catch up to this reality, sooner rather than later. As our latest report shows, lives are on the line. 🙋♀️ Even as the fastest growing population, women veterans are very much a statistical minority in the VA and veteran community at large. Yet our duty to them remains the same, and DAV is a watchdog making sure VA and Congress fulfill that duty. Find DAV's latest report on women veterans, "Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness," plus past reports and other resources here: https://lnkd.in/gJJc9dWT #mentalhealth #suicideprevention

Our Vice President of Quality and Compliance shares the significance of women in the military and Women Veterans Day in our latest blog post. https://lnkd.in/gH-jBEjq

Check out this insightful article on male military spouses and their unique experiences. Dive into the world beyond the uniform and discover a different perspective on military life. Click the link below to read more! 👇📚 #MilitarySpouses #BeyondTheUniform #UniquePerspectives https://lnkd.in/e3qCvt9h

Call to Action: On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we honor Veterans Day—a day to celebrate all individuals who have bravely served our nation, including women. Women have courageously served in every war since the Revolution, even disguising themselves as men to be allowed to serve. They performed their own wound care to avoid discovery as "just a girl." With over 400,000 women in active duty, National Guard, and reserves, and over 2 million women veterans in the United States, they represent the fastest-growing population of service members and veterans. Every woman who has ever served has done so voluntarily. Nearly 20% of service members in current service are women and our military relies heavily on their contributions. While there are no longer restrictions on the roles women can hold in the US military services, they still face opposition as they break glass ceilings. I want to acknowledge these women as trailblazers for their sacrifices, enduring ostracism, jeers, jokes, and stares of disbelief in their pursuit of excellence in service to our nation, earning a place at the all-boys' table. They have fought their way into traditionally male-only units and positions against all odds, falsely accused of cheating and using personal relationships to gain status. Despite these efforts to hold them down, they have fought harder, adapted their behaviors, and clawed their way into the line. This is a call to action for all the service members who have heard these battle cries against women in uniform. I ask you to counter these damaging sentiments like your life depends on it—because it does. These naysayers weaken morale and destroy teams, while these women warriors make them stronger. Ask yourself, what happens when you are the last two standing on the battlefield and you go down? What will she do? She will drag you home without question. She's a vital part of your team, and someday your survival may depend on her. Bring her into your team as a comrade and make her feel welcome. Do not fear that she will turn away when you need her most; she is not "just a girl"—she is a woman warrior, and you would not be here without her. To all veterans, I see you, I am you, and I know we can do this. #womenveterans; #veteransday; #veteranshelpingveterans