|
Women Veterans Committee
21 and a WAKEUP 24th Evac nurses are the stars in upcoming movie Recently completed movie based on, and as a tribute to, the 24th. Fiction, but based a lot on real incidents and people. It is the first American War Movie ever allowed to shoot in Vietnam. Movie has many great stars including Amy Acker, Danica Mckellar, Faye Dunaway, Tom Sizemore and many others. Heroes of the movie are the nurses. We will have the world premier of the movie in Chicago the week of Oct 26. NOTICE: Seeking to Interview Women Veterans of the Vietnam War Dr. Heather Stur, Assistant Professor of History at the University of Southern Mississippi, is writing a book that looks at women's experiences in the Vietnam War, and she'd like to interview women who served in Vietnam during the war, as well as women who enlisted in the military in the years immediately following the end of the draft. She is in particular need of the voices of African American women veterans who served in Vietnam, but in need of women of all races and backgrounds. Women veterans who are willing to be interviewed, contact Dr. Stur at: heather.stur@usm.edu VA Secretary establishes new initiatives for Woman Veterans
Continuing the operation of organizations such as VA's Center for Women Veterans and the Women Veterans Health Strategic Healthcare Group. "During this observance we should remember the special contributions and sacrifices of the 200,000 women currently serving in the armed forces and 1.8 million who are Veterans," Assistant Secretary L. Tammy Duckworth said. Women Veterans are one of the fastest growing segments of the Veteran population. They comprise 7.5 percent of the total Veteran population and nearly 5.5 percent of all Veterans who use VA health care services. VA estimates women Veterans will constitute 10 percent of the Veteran population by 2020 and 9.5 percent of VA patients. For more information about VA programs and services for women Veterans, please visit: www.va.gov/womenvet/ and www.publichealth.va.gov/womenshealth. GAO Testimony Preliminary Findings on VA’s Provision of Health Care Services to Women Veterans Womens memorial E-Newsletter: August 2009 Women's Memorial e-Register VVA Testimony Statement for the Record Of VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA Submitted by Marsha (Tansey) Four, RN, Chair VVA Woman Veterans Committee,Before the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Regarding S.252, The Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009, Section 111, Woman Veterans Health, July 14, 2009 Good morning Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Burr, and distinguished members of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Thank you for giving Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) the opportunity to submit our statement for the record regarding VA Health Care Services for Woman Veterans. VVA supports swift passage of S.252, “The Veterans Health Care Authorization Act of 2009”; however, we would like for additional language to be included in Section III, regarding woman veterans health care which was missing from H.R. 1211, the Women Veterans Health Care Improvement Act that was passed by the House. It is indisputable that the number of women in the military has risen consistently since the two percent cap on their enlistment in the Armed Forces was removed in the early 1970s. This has resulted in an increased number of women we can now call “veterans”, and most assuredly, will have a direct bearing on the number of women who will be knocking on the door of the VA in the very near future. A focus on the capacity and capability of the VA to equitably and effectively provide care and services must be a priority today. Planning and readiness is essential for the future. These responsibilities also require oversight and accountability in order to meet VA and veteran goals, objectives, requirements, standards, and satisfaction, along with agency advancement. While much has been done over the past few years to advance and ensure greater equity, safety, and provision of services for the growing number of women veterans in the VA system, these changes and improvements have not been completely implemented throughout the entire VA system. In some locations, women veterans still experience significant barriers to adequate health care. Thus, VVA asks Secretary Shinseki to ensure senior leadership at all VA facilities and in each VISN to be held accountable for ensuring that women veterans receive appropriate care in an appropriate environment by appropriate staff. There is much to learn about women veterans as a separate patient cohort within the VA. Women’s Health is now studied as a specialty in every medical school in the country. It has moved far beyond that of obstetrics and gynecology. Gender has an impact on nearly every system of the body and mind. This has great significance in the ability of any health care system to provide the most appropriate, comprehensive, and evidence-based scientific treatment and care. This also has a direct effect on the delivery system along with staff requirements to meet the needs of women now utilizing the VA health care system, as well as for those new women veterans who will soon be accessing the system in the days and years to come. [ Read testimony ] VVA National Women Veteran Members Survey The VVA National Women Veteran’s Committee is attempting to gather information from its women veteran members to determine their utilization of the VA for health care and benefits. We will be able to use this information as a thumb nail sketch of our women veteran members in Congressional testimony, when addressing issues of importance with the VA, and in better understanding our membership base. This was originally mailed to women veteran members… however…If you did not receive this anonymous survey in the mail, please take the time to download the survey here. If you did not receive it in the mail, please provide your new address to the National Membership Dept. 1-800-882-1316. On behalf of the entire committee, I extend my thanks for your participation in this national effort. PLEASE NOTE: THIS SURVEY IS FOR VVA MEMBERS ONLY Veterans Affairs Honors Military Women of Past, Present By Samantha L. Quigley WASHINGTON, March 27, 2009 – The women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion were honored for their morale-boosting efforts during World War II in a ceremony at the Department of Veterans Affairs here yesterday. Alyce Dixon and Mary Ragland, two former members of the battalion, were on hand to accept the accolades and to set the record straight. “What a monumental challenge [you’d] taken on. That’s the kind of can-do spirit that is the hallmark of the American soldier,” said John Gingrich, Veterans Affairs’ chief of staff. “You cleared out two years [worth] -- 7 million pieces -- of backlogged mail in just three months.” Read Complete ArticleDepartment of Veterans Affairs, advisory committee on women veterans, report 2008, recognizing women veterans...american heroes Before the U.S. House of Representatives Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Health H.R. 1211, Women Veterans Health Care, H.R. 784, H.R. 785 and Emergency Treatment in Non-VA Facilities March 3 , 2009 Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Brown, Distinguished Members of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health and honored guests, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) thanks you for the opportunity to present our statement for the record views on this important veterans legislation being presented before this subcommittee today. It is indisputable that the number of women in the military has risen consistently since the two percent cap on their enlistment in the Armed Forces was removed in the early 1970s. This has resulted in an increased number of women we can now call “veterans”, and most assuredly, will have a direct bearing on the number of women who will be knocking on the door of the VA in the very near future. A focus on the capacity and capability of the VA to equitably and effectively provide care and services must be a priority today. Planning and readiness is essential for the future. These responsibilities also require oversight and accountability in order to meet both VA and veteran goals, objectives, requirements, standards, and satisfaction, along with agency advancement. While much has been done over the past few years to advance and ensure greater equity, safety, and provision of services for the growing number of women veterans in the VA system, these changes and improvements have not been completed implemented throughout the entire VA system. In some locations, women veterans still experience significant barriers to adequate health care and oversight with accountability. Thus VVA asks the new Secretary to ensure senior leadership at all VA facilities and in each VISN to be held accountable for ensuring that women veterans receive appropriate care in an appropriate environment.
Women Veterans have been an integral part of Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) since it was founded in 1979. As a leader in moving the agenda of women veterans, the pro-active approach of Vietnam Veterans of America benefits all women who served in the military regardless of time or place, both now and into the future. In the Spring of 1979, Linda Van Devanter met and discussed the concerns, issues, and needs of women veterans with a number of the founding members of Vietnam Veterans of America. It was then that VVA made its commitment to women veterans. The Women Veterans’ Committee began as the Women Veterans’ Project in the Spring of 1979. By a VVA National Constitutional amendment in 1999, the Women Veterans’ Committee attained Standing Committee status at all levels of Vietnam Veterans of America. Women have served this country with great pride in all branches of the Armed Forces. The role of women in the military is varied, diverse, and expanding. VVA National Women Veterans’ Committee illustrates this diversity. Members and advisors of the Committee are volunteers from both enlisted and officer ranks. They served in Vietnam, stateside, and worldwide with a broad range of duty assignments, occupations, and experiences. Diversity is the element that helps the Committee identify and respond to the needs of all the women veterans. The Women Veterans’ Committee, as a representative body, is the voice of those who seek strength and support in resolving problems and addressing concerns related to all women veterans. The Committee identifies issues and needs specific to women veterans and develops strategies to address and resolve them. Our goals are accomplished through communication, representation, advocacy, and outreach on behalf of women veterans. The Women Veterans’ Committee maintains a watchful stance as a guardian of equitable care and benefits for women veterans. The Women Veterans’ Committee establishes legislative priorities and actively advocates Congress to secure the passage of responsible and just legislation that women veterans have earned.
|
Women Veterans
|
about
vvacommunity
membershipbenefitsgov't
affairs public
relations events
publicationsformsmarketplace
vva
committees & task forces | avva | household
goods donation | veterans support foundation | links
of interest | sponsors
membership brochure | join vva | renew your membership | locate your local chapter | membership notes update | membership services
vva publications | current year press releases | public service announcements | logos | media request sign-up
Read
or Print Complete Testimony
