Women Veterans December eNews

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Happy Holidays from the WDVA

holiday

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs and the Women Veterans Program would like to wish you and your family a Happy Holiday! 

As you gather with friends, family and other loved ones this holiday season, take pride in all you have done to make your state, country and the world a better place.

All the best in the New Year!

Meet a Woman Veteran Business Owner

Jessica Dragan of Spa Massage on the Go

Dragan

The WDVA Women Veterans Program recognizes the important role women veteran business owners play in our state. We are pleased to share their stories and information about their businesses with the greater veteran community in Wisconsin.

A new feature of our website and of this newsletter will be a video highlighting Wisconsin women veteran business owners.  

Our first video introduces you to Jessica Dragan, owner of Spa Massage On the Go. Jessica is an Army veteran who served as a logistics and transportation specialist for four years. She studied different types of massage for two years in Los Angeles and then worked at one of the area’s most respected spas, Burke Williams, while building her own business. 

“My more than 1,400 hours of professional training has taught me how to customize massage treatments to clients’ individual needs. My four years in the U.S. Military has taught me how to lead others to deliver results and exceed expectations.” – Jessica Dragan

The Women Veterans Program is continually looking for women veteran business owners. In addition to networking with each other, we can share your story and information about your business with the greater veteran community in Wisconsin. Interested in joining our network? Email us today!

ZVS

CALL TO ACTION: Zero Veteran Suicide Initiative

Did you know that suicide deaths among female veterans have increased by 40% over the last decade?

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Suicide is preventable. Collaboration is the key.The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs is a leader in providing benefits to the veterans of Wisconsin and has joined the fight to combat mental health issues among veterans. Working together let's achieve a state with zero veteran suicides.

Check out the ZVS page to learn how you can get involved.

Seeking Artwork by Women Veterans

The US Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans (CWV) is partnering with Veteran Artist Program (VAP) to showcase art by 10 women veterans at 10 VA medical centers around the United States in March 2017 to coincide with Women’s History Month.

The exhibit will include digital still prints of paintings, photography, and mixed media. Biographical storyboards will accompany each work, to include a “before” image of the woman Veteran artist in uniform, an “after” photo, and a short bio highlighting her military and creative journeys. This powerful narrative shows women veterans as a key part of our military and active participants in our communities across America.

Interested in participating? The call for submissions is now openSubmit the following items by December 31st, 2016 via email to submission@veteranartistprogram.org

  • High resolution, digital image of the artwork
  • 100 word bio, including military experience, creative background, and current professional goals
  • Picture of your time in the military (a tradition military head shot will work but an action photo is preferable)
  • Current “after” photo, representing who you are now as a veteran

CWV and VAP will announce the selected artwork and participating VA medical centers January 15th, 2017 and begin preparation for the March, 2017 exhibits and artist talkback. Please submit digital images of your art today and raise awareness of the service, resilience, and creativity of women veterans!