News
Inspiring Lives International Awards Announcement
Monday, March 21, 2016 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - International
On March 12, 2016, "Inspiring Lives International" announced six winners for its first annual "Inspiring Lives International Awards" at the "Global Sisterhood's Global Gala." One of the six recipients was Army Captain Jaspen Boothe, the founder of "Final Salute, Inc.," which serves homeless women veterans and their children. "Final Salute, Inc." provides housing and other emergency assistance for women veterans at risk of homelessness.
Lori Robinson To Become First Woman To Lead US Combatant Command
Saturday, March 19, 2016 | Category: Combat - National
Four-star Air Force General Lori J. Robinson was nominated by President Barack Obama to be the first woman to serve as military combatant commander of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and US Northern Command (NORTHCOM), leading all military forces in North America.
About Face: U.S. Military Seeks Historic Overhaul of Justice System
Tuesday, March 15, 2016 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
The Defense Department quietly proposed the most far-reaching reforms to its justice system in decades in December 2015. Included in the reforms: the Pentagon would issue sentencing guidelines for military crimes, military judges would determine sentences previously rendered by juries of military personnel with little or no legal experience, and all convicted service members would have a right to appeal. Neither the legislation nor the 1,300-page review addressed the role of commanders, which continues to be a contentious issue in Congress after years of controversy over the military’s handling of sexual assault. More than three dozen changes to the Uniformed Code of Military Justice were imposed by Congress prior to the release of this report. Don Christensen, President of "Protect Our Defenders," noted the changes were far reaching, "but the central issue of the commander’s influence, he said, remained untouched."
VA Announces Community Care Call Center to Help Veterans with Choice Program Billing Issues
Monday, March 14, 2016 | Category: Department of Veterans Affairs - National
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) "Community Care Call Center" is now operational. Veterans can work directly with the VA "Community Care Call Center" to resolve debt collection issues resulting from inappropriate or delayed "Veterans Choice Program" billing. Call 1-877-881-7618 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time) for assistance.
The Pentagon is Finally Developing Combat Gear that Fits the Female Form
Monday, March 7, 2016 | Category: Combat - National
Women in the military have been wearing male-centric combat gear for decades, which left them unprotected. Servicewomen and men experience infertility and may need artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization as a result of injuries. The Pentagon is now engineering anatomically-appropriate equipment, but the new gear is not expected to be implemented before 2019. And while the creation of gender-specific protective gear is critical, Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a helicopter pilot who lost both legs in combat in 2004, notes that sometimes change is slow and that "some of it could be cultural, but I think it’s mostly bureaucratic. It just takes a long time from when a requirement is first identified to when something can be fielded.”
Aura Home for Women Veterans Opens in Asheville
Sunday, March 6, 2016 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - North Carolina
North Carolina has some of the highest numbers of homeless women veterans in the country. The Aura Home for Women Veterans will assist women with military service who are experiencing homelessness to find long-term housing and employment. The organization opened a new office in the United Way building on South French Broad Avenue on March 6, 2016.
Making the Connection': Women Veterans Conference
Friday, March 4, 2016 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - California
Ms. Lindsey Sin, California's Deputy Secretary of Women Veterans Affairs is the speaker at Cal State Fullerton's fourth annual Women Veterans in Higher Education Conference scheduled for March 5, 2016. The conference theme is “Making the Connection: Mentoring, Networking & Sharing Our Experiences” is the theme of the fourth annual Women Veterans in Higher Education Conference at Cal State Fullerton.
Labor Department Offers Career Boost for Women Veterans
Friday, March 4, 2016 | Category: Employment - National
Nancy Glowacki, the women veteran program manager of the U.S. Labor Department's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS), notes that “transitioning service members and veterans may experience culture shock, difficulty translating their skills for the civilian work environment, unfamiliarity with the civilian job search process, and more.” VETS added the "Employment Assistance for Women Veterans Webinar" to its webpage. “In this 31-minute video, women veterans can learn about free self-paced classes available online, free individualized services in their local community where veterans receive priority of service, and more intensive case management for veterans who have greater challenges with employment,” says Glowacki.
Celebrating Women in the Military: Inaugural Women Veterans Symposium held at OSU
Thursday, March 3, 2016 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - Oklahoma
Servicewomen and women veterans gathered Thursday at Oklahoma State University for the inaugural Women Veterans Symposium. The conference focused on how women veterans are well prepared to be leaders throughout the community, state, and nation. Retired Major General Rita Aragon, the keynote speaker, shared how women’s roles in the military have changed over time.
First Female Thunderbird Pilot Helping to Showcase Women Veterans’ Stories
Thursday, March 3, 2016 | Category: Advocacy/Outreach - National
Colonel Nicole Malachowski, the first female Air Force Thunderbird pilot, joined forces with First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden to promote a social media campaign, #WomenVets, to spotlight women veterans' stories. They goal is two pronged: enhance the image of women veterans and encourage the 200,000 service women now in the military to use their benefits and services when they become veterans. Mrs. Obama shared that only one in 10 women veterans use GI Bill benefits and 75 percent of women veterans don’t use the Veterans Affairs health care system. And, there is a continuing challenge: “One striking reality is that many women veterans don’t self-identify as veterans,” she said.