Alaska’s women veterans make up more than twice the national average of the general population, at 1.2% compared to half a percent nationally. Despite this large population, there is a lack of networking systems to connect female veterans or communities that understand their unique experiences. Many services available to them due to their service are underutilized.
Alaska’s women veterans have a vibrant history of service in our state. We have served in all branches and eras of military service. We need to include the voices of women veterans in the larger narrative of veteran’s experiences. With more women serving in the military than ever before, we can also help women veterans as they transition out of the military. We need to understand what works and what needs to be in place to support women after leaving the military so they can be recognized and honored and have a path to continue to serve in their communities as veterans.
-Vanessa Meade, U.S. Army/Gulf War Veteran, Clinical Assistant Professor-UAA School of Social Work, Veteran’s PATH Facilitator
In order to gain a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing this population, Senator Dan Sullivan, in partnership with ACF and Rasmuson Foundation, will host a listening session on Friday, June 8, from 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm at the Wilda Marston Theater in the Loussac Library. The session, which will be attended and led by Alaska women veterans, will be an opportunity for representatives from statewide organizations and agencies that serve women veterans and their families to learn directly from women veterans what programs and opportunities serve the highest priority needs, identify gaps in services and funding, and increase community engagement in support of Alaska women veterans