Don't Forget She Served Too!

Survey: Women struggle to be seen as 'real' veterans
Military Times
By Leo Shane III, Staff writer
June 9, 2015

Women already facing discrimination issues in the ranks confront similar challenges being accepted as "real veterans" in their post-military life, according to a new study released by officials at The Mission Continues on Monday.

The survey of women fellows in the group in April found that about two-thirds did not feel "respected and valued as veterans," because of a lack of respect of their service or assumptions they must be spouses instead of former service members.

That feeling in turn hurt their sense of identity and ability to connect with others.

Paired with a shortage of female-specific services at the Department of Veterans Affairs and other military outreach efforts, the struggles left 70 percent of the women surveyed with significant difficulties forming strong relationships after their military lives ended.

"There are limited structured opportunities for women veterans to connect with others who can relate to their experiences and support them during their reintegration," the report states.

"The relatively small number of women veterans can make it even more difficult for them to connect with each other. This can have a negative impact on women veterans' mental health and their successful reintegration into to civilian life."
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If you have doubts, watch this video from last year.

"Thank you to Actor and Advocate Lamman Rucker for being the first celebrity to Stand-Up and support homeless Women Veterans."
Because She Served Too