Life After Service: The Path of a Woman Veteran

Tara Galovski — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 10:01:30 -0500

Veterans comprise about 7.6% of the United States population and, of those twenty million Veterans, only about 10% are women. Clearly, when women separate from the military and disperse into civilian life, their numbers in communities across the country are scant at best. Low base rates in American towns and cities and a general lack of recognition of women’s military service relative to that of men’s coupled with the host of challenges of transition faced by all Veterans can result in uphill struggles for women Veterans – even in the best of circumstances. Belonging and connection are critical for all human beings and arguably even more important for women Veterans who have walked this rare path of service and faced these unique triumphs and challenges. The Women Veterans Network (WoVeN) is designed to help women Veterans find one another and build connections in their local communities and nationally with other women Veterans. WoVeN is a Veteran-led social network and includes an eight-week program in which women Veterans meet for about 90 minutes per week and build connections through the course of a curriculum designed specifically to meet the unique needs of women Veterans.

The importance of WoVeN to our membership is both humbling and inspiring and has far exceeded our expectations. Beyond building friendships and networks with other women, we have found that WoVeN members stand strong for those who need a shoulder to lean on – in fact, the stories of support and strength within the membership never cease to amaze. As one of our women recently told us, WoVeN is the first place in eleven years since separating from service that she feels whole again. In our most recent national event, we traveled as a group to the Women’s War Memorial in Arlington Cemetery. There are no words to describe walking through those halls and viewing the displays of the women who wore the uniform, hearing their stories, and sharing their sorrows as we honored those who did not come home. In our final reflections later that weekend, one of our women described how she has never stood and been recognized as a Veteran in public places (like ball games, etc.). Interestingly, she said that her male Veteran spouse did stand and accept the applause (rightly so!). She went on to say that she had shed her Veteran identity long ago and some of this decision was largely due to the idea that she was often not recognized as a Veteran, often got asked if she was her husband’s caregiver at Veteran events, and she simply got sick of being second-guessed about her service. From the back of the room, another Veteran yelled – “After joining us in WoVeN, will you stand up now?” To which this Veteran replied, “Every time!” And the room erupted in applause.

WoVeN is a place for women Veterans by women Veterans. Women apply to the program from all over the country and we fly our Veterans in to our weekend workshops (upcoming trainings in Orlando Florida in December, San Diego in February, and Boston or Philadelphia in June, 2020!). To the woman, WoVeN peer leaders leave these workshops with a real sense of sisterhood and go on to bring the program back to their towns and cities and foster this same sense of belonging and connection with more and more women Veterans. If you are interested in joining our community, there is no cost and the benefits are immeasurable. Check us out on http://www.wovenwomenvets.org and apply to become a WoVeN peer leader or join one of our groups as a group member. As our members say, “WoVeN for Life”!

WoVeN | Women Veterans Network

To provide a unique social network of women Veterans to foster connections and build relationships in local communities and across the nation.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Nov 5 at 2019 10:03 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 10:03:22 -0500

Excellent share Ms Tara

Response by SN Donald Hoffman made Nov 5 at 2019 10:11 AM

SN Donald Hoffman — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 10:11:25 -0500

Great program, great way to invest into yourselves!

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2019 11:26 AM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 11:26:03 -0500

Amazing share Ms Tara

Response by PO2 David Huelsmann made Nov 5 at 2019 12:20 PM

PO2 David Huelsmann — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 12:20:29 -0500

"Once a veteran, always a veteran" - don't see gender in that phrase at all!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2019 12:42 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 12:42:35 -0500

Tara Galovski I did not have the opportunity to work with women when I served. During my civilian career, the active duty women and veterans that I came into contact with were all squared away. WoVeN looks like an excellent program.

Response by SP5 Jeannie Carle made Nov 5 at 2019 7:15 PM

SP5 Jeannie Carle — Tue, 05 Nov 2019 19:15:15 -0500

All VERY interesting - I may pop in, but at my age, well...............

Response by 1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel made Nov 6 at 2019 2:47 PM

1st Lt Padre Dave Poedel — Wed, 06 Nov 2019 14:47:22 -0500

Excellent resource. Are they organized into city and state chapters? I appreciate the women on this forum and your perspective and expertise.

Response by PO2 Deanna Hasler made Nov 7 at 2019 6:13 AM

PO2 Deanna Hasler — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 06:13:22 -0500

Thank you

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2019 1:24 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Nov 2019 13:24:22 -0500

In my opinion as a retired veteran, being and behaving like a member of an extremely honored and dignified group of active duty, retired, veterans, dependents and CIVSERV community which we all are either in, or come from is NEVER gender specific, and it never should be. A veteran is a veteran is a veteran, and if you served (or are serving actively still) honorably, there's only one accurate designation in my opinion, and that's "member of the military community", and I don't give a rat's a__ what rank, gender, race, religion or whatever you are - we're all part of the same team, and everyone's job is important and necessary to the successful completion of the mission, and any and all who've taken the oath and either worn the uniform, or supported those doing so, are ALL a part of this elite, special group of individuals. I personally thank each and every one of you for your service, and I salute you all!
Warriors Forever!

Response by SrA Amy Luck made Nov 9 at 2019 1:24 AM

SrA Amy Luck — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 01:24:33 -0500

I'd love to hear if a group opens here in the Seattle area ... or Spokane (as I might move there before a group gets here?). I'd totally do the peer leader but my health issues are pretty bad and focus/memory/concentration aren't always good. I have bad days and sometimes miss important things (though I do my very best not to).

Anyway, this sounds great, please let me know!

Amy Luck
[login to see]

Response by CPO Arthur Weinberger made Nov 9 at 2019 7:38 AM

CPO Arthur Weinberger — Sat, 09 Nov 2019 07:38:31 -0500

Men are more dedicated to America.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Nov 11 at 2019 12:18 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Mon, 11 Nov 2019 12:18:56 -0500

More on women in the service, SPC Diana D.!

Response by LT Ed Skiba made Nov 13 at 2019 9:47 AM

LT Ed Skiba — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 09:47:12 -0500

Thanks Ms. Tara. My wife of 53 years is a former " Wave."

Response by SGT Debra McDonough Travis made Nov 20 at 2019 7:41 AM

SGT Debra McDonough Travis — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 07:41:56 -0500

Thank you for sharing. Very interesting information.

Response by SGT Deborahlee Wyttenbach made Dec 5 at 2019 12:56 AM

SGT Deborahlee Wyttenbach — Thu, 05 Dec 2019 00:56:07 -0500

I'm slowly going blind and I have a 7 month old German Shepherd puppy that I'd like to have trained to be my eyes. I'm a Retired Disabled Army Veteran. I've trained dogs prior to joining the Army for guard, attack, and show. I'd started training one dog for search and rescue, but someone poisoned him. I also have a Rescue Palomino Quarter horse gelding and 12 chickens that I take care of. I am being treated for PTSD. I need help in training my dog to be my eyes.

Response by CPL Linda B. made Dec 28 at 2019 5:10 AM

CPL Linda B. — Sat, 28 Dec 2019 05:10:17 -0500

Being an female veteran from before 9/11 and getting connected is like trying to paddle across the ocean..
Often I wish that some of the wounded warriors projects would allow participation for veterans with a disability of 30% or more- especially if they're still openings in an event.

Response by SP5 James Johnson made Jan 7 at 2020 9:27 PM

SP5 James Johnson — Tue, 07 Jan 2020 21:27:11 -0500

If you don't stand up, how can you be recognized???? Never quit.

Response by AA Cheryl Starks made Feb 2 at 2020 5:36 AM

AA Cheryl Starks — Sun, 02 Feb 2020 05:36:59 -0500

Where do you find single veterans?

Response by SN Marvin S. Robinson II made Mar 24 at 2022 7:03 AM

SN Marvin S. Robinson II — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 07:03:45 -0400

OUTSTANDING with Continued BLESSINGS and Best !!!

Marvin S. Robinson II
QUINDARO RUINS/ Underground Railroad- Exercise 2022

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Mar 24 at 2022 4:11 PM

Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 16:11:20 -0400

Great share.