U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs CWV - News Update

The women Veteran population is growing and VA is stepping up to meet the need through innovative programming and services specifically designed to serve women.  But, once the programs are deployed, how do we get the word out? [From VAntage Point]

Get the Recruitment & Retention, Employment & Integration, Well Being & Treatment, Servicwomen in the News, Women Veterans, and Upcoming Events DACOWITS news from March 16, 2018. [From DACOWITS]

This is the fourth post in a six-part series highlighting women Veterans’ collections from the VHP archive in recognition of Women’s History Month.  One of the things I love about studying history is that, quite often, stories of the past are hidden in plain sight, so close to home that you can trip over them walking down the street.  Case in point:  while exploring DC, I have spent a lot of time in the area known as “upper NW”–including Ward Circle, where Nebraska and Massachusetts Avenues meet. [From Library of Congress]

This is the third post in a six-part series highlighting women Veterans’ collections from the VHP archive in recognition of Women’s History Month.  The story of women in the military is a story of firsts.  Women have only been allowed to serve in permanent positions in the military since 1948, and even then were limited in what roles they could perform. [From Library of Congress]

Student-Veterans and current members of the U.S. military and their dependents face a unique set of challenges when attending college.  Every CSU campus is committed to supporting these nontraditional students and providing benefits and resources that ensure their academic success.  During Women’s Military History Week, the CSU celebrates the diversity of women in higher education who have served their country by highlighting success stories from across the state [From The California State University]

Her birthday bash is tradition at Claremore center.  For Mamie Dixon, some occasions just call for dancing.  Mind you, at 104 years old, she needs a little more help than she once did.  But if somebody kindly pushes her wheelchair, she can take it from there, tapping both feet to the drum beats. [From Tulsa World]

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Nurse Corps Veteran Dona Mills-Bozman.  Dona served during World War II from 1942 to 1946. [From VAntage Point]

We honor her service.

Major Pauline Cushman lived a life full of adventure and travel.  She spent the majority of her life pursuing a career as an actress.  In 1863, during the Civil War, she was presented with the greatest acting role of her life. She became a spy for the Union. [From VAntage Point]

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran Jeannette Mabe Lewis Marshall.  Jeanette served from 1952 to 1972 during the Vietnam War. [From VAntage Point]

We honor her service.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran, Laura E. Dwyer.  Laura served from 1986 to 1991. [From VAntage Point]

We honor your service, Laura!

These aren’t tales from the dark ages of medicine.  They are ordinary modern realities documented in Maya Dusenbery’s well researched, wonderfully truculent new book, “Doing Harm,” one of a cluster of new investigations into gender bias in medical treatment that also includes “Ask Me About My Uterus,” by Abby Norman, and “Invisible,” by Michele Lent Hirsch. [From The New York Times]

Nina Semczuk arrived at the National Training Center in California prepared to train; she wasn’t prepared for a fellow soldier to die. [From The War Horse]

More than four million Veterans can now use their My HealtheVet credentials to access services from across VA on Vets.gov.  This means that Veterans can now log in one time, in one place, to refill a prescription, check their claim and apply for benefits that help them pay for college and training programs. [From VAntage Point]

Soldier’s Best Friend is an Arizona based non-profit that connects Veterans suffering from combat injuries, such as PTSD and TBI with therapeutic companion dogs.  The group will work with any Veteran that has been diagnosed with PTSD or TBI living in Arizona, or who is willing to relocate as training is available for Veterans offered in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff, Prescott and Sierra Vista. [From VAntage Point]

Army Women’s Foundation summit honors first women Rangers. [From Army Times]

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Virginia Edds Defourneaux.  Virginia served as a nurse during World War II and was in the service from 1945 to 1965. [From VAntage Point]

We honor your service, Virginia!

Women Veterans:  Learn about how the Million Veteran Program will help us better understand how genes affect health and illness in order to improve health care for women Veterans, and how you can participate, in this brand-new factsheet!

When I learned about a fellowship available to Veteran women through my university’s Veterans service office, I was intrigued by the opportunity to embrace my identities as a Veteran and a woman.  While walking to my first Focus Forward Fellowship group activity, I realized that this was a group of women with whom I could deeply connect. [From VAntage Point]

Of the more than 3,200 airmen serving in the Texas Air National Guard, only eight were selected to compete at Camp Swift as part of the 2018 Texas Military Department Best Warrior Competition.  Among the selectees, one stood out from her peers – not just for her skill and abilities in qualifying to represent her unit, but also as the only female competitor. [From U.S. Department of Defense]

The public is invited to come out and recognize March 2018 Women’s History Month with staff and employees of the William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center in Columbia, S.C., by demonstrating perseverance, strength, and persistence as they walk, run or stroll during either one or all four walks planned by the medical center’s Federal Women’s Program. [From Manning Live]

It was a short ceremony, but one that does not happen very often.  Friday morning in Sausalito, Coast Guard officers from Golden Gate Station applauded as Petty Officer 1st Class Krystyna Duffy did something few women have done. [From ABC 7 News]

Women Veterans: VA offers comprehensive health care options for all stages of life.  Whether you’re recovering from an injury, starting a family or looking to lead a more active lifestyle, VA can help. [From VAntage Point]

The Marine Corps has bid farewell to a woman who was the face of the service’s recruiting efforts during World War II.  Veronica Byrnes Bradley, 95, died Feb. 28 in New Milford, Conn. [From Stars and Stripes]

A group of female Veterans gathered Sunday at the Duval County Veterans Memorial Wall to pay their respects to women from Jacksonville who died while serving the country.  It was an event to kick off the 2018 Women Veterans Week of Recognition where gatherings will take place each day. [From The Florida Times-Union]

More women are serving in the Army than ever before, the Army’s vice chief of staff said Monday, down to every brigade combat team battalion.  Since the service lifted the final ban on women in direct-combat units in 2016, more than 600 women have joined infantry and armor units, Gen. James McConville told an audience at the Army Women’s Summit on Capitol Hill. [From Army Times]

Women make up 14 percent of the U.S. military as well as a full quarter of the Veterans who are pursuing a college education upon returning home from service.  In the St. Louis area alone, evidence of their significant presence isn’t hard to come by. [From St. Louis Public Radio]