Veteran Women’s Month (Photo – VeteransAffairs)
Veteran Women’s Month, March 2024, will support our women veterans for a successful transition to civilian life.
By News Desk
On Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and co-authored by Chair Lindsey P. Horvath to proclaim March 2024 as Veteran Women’s Month and to better support our veteran women for a successful transition to civilian life.
In 1987, Congress declared March, in perpetuity, as National Women’s History Month; and a special presidential proclamation was also issued to specifically honor the contributions and achievements of those women who have served in the United States armed forces.
The Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) research found that women warriors experience military sexual trauma, anxiety, and depression at even higher rates than male warriors. Moreover, a RAND study noted that veteran women are greatly impacted by a lack of childcare when they are trying to continue their education or pursue employment opportunities.
“Veteran women have contributed greatly to our country and the world to protect democracy and freedom. Yet, they, unfortunately, face many barriers in receiving and accessing services and support,” said Supervisor Solis. “Today’s motion is a real opportunity for our local government to go beyond thanking veteran women for their service and ensure we provide for them as they have done for us.”
According to the 2022 Census, 18,890 veteran women call Los Angeles County home.
“The unique challenges facing our veteran women merit our recognition as well as intentional care and support,” said Chair Horvath. “They, like many women across the County, are part of a system that was not designed by them and is only now catching up to their needs and challenges. To our veteran women, I want to say: We’ve got your back!”
“For far too long, the needs of our veteran women have not been adequately addressed and resources not sufficiently allocated,” said Jim Zenner, director of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “This includes transition assistance as they return to civilian life and pursue meaningful employment, as well as health care and needs specific to them like child care. We are committed to correcting this and restoring equity to the services we provide as a community and this motion is a step towards achieving that.”
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