VA Celebrates Women's History Month

VA Celebrates Women's History Month

WASHINGTON (March 7, 2011) - The Department of Veterans Affairs joins
with the nation to observe Women's History Month in March by recognizing
and honoring women Veterans.

"Duty. Honor. Pride. These words reflect the spirit of generations of
American women who have sought to defend the rights and freedom of
others," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. "The
history of women in the armed forces began more than 220 years ago with
women who served during the American Revolution and continues through
the present day. VA is honored to serve these women who have
contributed so much to our Nation."

Women Veterans are one of the fastest growing segments of the Veteran
population. Of the 22.7 million living Veterans, more than 1.8 million
are women. They comprise nearly 8 percent of the total Veteran
population and 6 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.

In recent years, VA has undertaken a number of initiatives to create or
enhance services for women Veterans, including the implementation of
comprehensive primary care throughout the nation; staffing every VA
medical center with a women veterans program manager and regional
offices with a designated woman Veterans coordinator; supporting a
multifaceted research program on women's health; improving communication
and outreach to women Veterans; and continuing the operation of offices
like the Center for Women Veterans and the Women Veterans Health
Strategic Healthcare Care Group.

"During this observance of Women's History Month, let's remember the
special contributions of the ever-increasing number of women serving in
the armed forces," said Tammy Duckworth, assistant secretary for public
and intergovernmental affairs. She noted that women currently make up
more than 14 percent of the active-duty military and 18 percent of the
Guard and Reserves.

VA has 43 women's memorials and monuments at its National Cemeteries
across the country. Additionally, several notable women are buried in VA
National Cemeteries, including Chief Specialist Evelyn B. (Ulrich)
Einfeldt, a Navy World War II Veteran who was one of the 67 Navy "WAVES"
involved in Operation Magic. She assisted with the assembly of BOMBE
(Enigma), a machine to decode German and Japanese transmissions. She was
laid to rest at the Fort Sill National Cemetery on April 6, 2006.

Lillian Kinkela Keil, an Air Force flight nurse pioneer, is buried at
the Riverside National Cemetery. She flew 425 combat missions and took
part in 11 major campaigns, including the D-Day invasion and the Battle
of the Bulge in World War II and the Battle of Chosin Reservoir in
Korea. One of the most decorated women in American military history, she
was awarded 19 medals.

For more information about VA programs and services for women Veterans,
please visit: http://www1.va.gov/womenvet and
http://www.publichealth.va.gov/womenshealth.

Here's one of my videos to help you know how rich the history of women is serving in the military.