News
NYC Mayor's ofice of Veterans' Affairs and Department of Cultural Affairs Announce New Artist Residency at the Harlem Vet Center
Monday, November 9, 2015 | Category: Arts - New York
The Social Design Collective will engage women veterans at the Harlem Vet Center in art interventions that will connect them to the Vet Center's services and resources. Social Design Collective's residency is supported by both private funding from the David Rockefeller Fund through the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and public funding from the Department of Cultural Affairs. Understanding that women veterans less often access earned benefits, the SDC will focus on engaging women veterans with vital services through creative programming. SDC, an art and design collaborative founded and led by Jules Rochielle Sievert, was selected through an open, competitive call for artists. For more than 10 years, Jules’ has connected art, performance, social justice, collective art practice, and applied design to build enduring community partnerships and networks. Jules has worked directly with veterans through the Northeastern University School of Law's NuLawLab,
7 Women Veterans Honored by DAR
Monday, November 9, 2015 | Category: History/Heritage - Michigan
The Abiel Fellows and Amos Sturgis chapters of DAR have honored women veterans in November around Veterans Day since 2001. They hosted their annual tea in Centreville, honoring seven women veterans who served in different eras. They shared their diverse military experiences and recognized how each others' successful service paved the way for women to serve in the future.
Homeless Wounded Women Warriors
Sunday, November 8, 2015 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - National
Author David Walker takes an unabashed look at who is eligible to serve in the military, why so many are not qualified, and notes that less than 1% are serving in the U.S. military. His words: "We can only thank God so many women are picking up the slack. Were it not for women, all of the services would be short-handed." Mr. Walker then discusses homelessness amongst women veterans. The Washington Times contributed more than $60,000 for the "Female Veterans With Children Transitional Housing Facility" in Washington, D.C. There are two houses. One houses six veterans and the other 13 female veterans with children.
A Recent Air Force Sexual Assault Case Displays The Cascading Problems With Military Justice
Wednesday, November 4, 2015 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
James W. Weirick, retired Marine lieutenant colonel and Judge Advocate, comments on a host of prevailing problems with the military justice system in the context of one airman's court-martial. He considers commanders' ability to make military justice decisions, senior command influence within the military and with pending legislation, delayed trials, and the adverse impact on involved parties "on what should be an independent judiciary."
‘My Body Was Not Mine, but the U.S. Military’s’: Inside the disturbing sex industry thriving around America’s bases.
Sunday, November 1, 2015 | Category: Human Trafficking/Sexual Exploitation - International
David Vine, article author, is an American University associate professor of anthropology. His article is adapted from his latest book, Base Nation: How U.S. Military Bases Abroad Harm America and the World. Mr. Vine examines how "women's sex work has long been used to help keep male troops happy—or at least happy enough to keep working for the military." He notes how even today, "commercial sex zones thrive in tandem with many U.S. bases around the world, from Baumholder in Germany to Fort Bragg in North Carolina." In South Korea, the sex trade in “camptowns” surrounding U.S. bases is deeply entrenched in South Korea's economy, politics, and culture.
SCANDAL: Almost Half A National Guard Unit Investigated For Soliciting Prostitution In Africa
Friday, October 30, 2015 | Category: Human Trafficking/Sexual Exploitation - Tennessee
Nine Tennessee National Guardsmen, nearly half of a team deployed on a humanitarian mission in an area of Africa known for prolific human trafficking, have been investigated for reportedly having sex with prostitutes. Other disturbing details emerged including bringing women to rooms with classified information and weapons, ring leaders coaching the activities, cavalier bragging about the sex, and comments that some of the prostitutes were younger than a Guardsman's daughter.
140 Veterans Make History as First All-Female Honor Flight
Wednesday, September 23, 2015 | Category: History/Heritage - National
History was made when 140 women veterans flew to Washington D.C. on the first all-female honor flight. The women ranged in age from 28 to 96 and served during World War II, Korean, and Vietnam War eras. Until now, no local Honor Flight included more than 5 women veterans. The non-profit Honor Flight Network organizes free flights to Washington D.C. to visit memorials built to honor their service to the nation.
First All-Female Honor Flight Brings 140 Veterans to D.C
Tuesday, September 22, 2015 | Category: History/Heritage - National
Ohio women veterans made history when they flew free to Washington D.C. as the first all-female Honor Flight. They visited military-related sites and were honored at special presentation at the Women in Military Service Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. The non-profit Honor Flight Network organizes free flights to Washington D.C. to visit memorials built to honor their service to the nation.
Women-focused Honor Flight Highlights Their Service
Tuesday, September 22, 2015 | Category: History/Heritage - National
In Washington D.C., 140 female veterans gathered for the first women-only "Honor Flight,' a program that brings veterans to the nation’s capital each year to tour the military service memorials and monuments. Organizers shared that "getting women veterans on those trips can be problematic because of stereotypes about their service and contributions, often from the women themselves." The established "Honor Flight" tour was tailored to include a special presentation at the Women in Military Service Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery.
One Female Veteran's Epic Quest for A 'Foot That Fits"
Saturday, September 5, 2015 | Category: Prosthetics - National
For retired Army sergeant Brenda Reed "no struggle has filled her with such rage as her campaign for a foot that fits properly, said Reed, who often wears wide black sandals to fit her wide prosthetic. Last year, a VA specialist cut off the toes on Reed's prosthetic and shaved off the sides in an effort to make it fit into her shoes. Reed said not only didn't it fit, but she also found that she couldn't walk on it. She was given another prosthetic and told to make due. She didn't. She took her case to the VA secretary's office, calling and emailing Secretary McDonald.