Atlanta VAHCS Women Veterans Program Manager Helps Shape Future of Support Services at Women Veterans Think Tank
By Gregory Kendall, Public Affairs Specialist
Atlanta VA Health Care System Women Veterans Program Manager Kathleen O’Loughlin served as a table facilitator during the Women Veterans Think Tank held June 11, helping guide discussions focused on improving services and opportunities for women Veterans across Georgia and beyond.
Hosted by The Warrior Alliance and the Georgia Women Veterans Advisory Board, the event brought together approximately 90 women Veterans from across the state, representing a broad cross-section of military branches, service eras, and backgrounds. Corporate leaders, Veteran-serving organizations, and policy stakeholders also participated in the collaborative effort to develop the Women Veterans Think Tank Blueprint for Action, a statewide and national model for advancing outcomes for women who have served in the Armed Forces.
As a table facilitator, O’Loughlin helped lead discussions on challenges and opportunities facing women Veterans, ensuring participants had a voice in shaping recommendations that will guide future initiatives and policy efforts.
“The Women Veterans Think Tank created an incredible opportunity for women Veterans to share their experiences and help identify solutions that can strengthen support systems across Georgia,” O’Loughlin said. “When women Veterans come together with community leaders, organizations, and policymakers, we can build meaningful strategies that address their unique needs and improve access to resources, health care, and opportunities.”
The event focused on gathering insights directly from women Veterans and translating those perspectives into actionable recommendations that can improve services, advocacy efforts, and community support networks.
Among those participating was Rosalyn Williams, an Air Force Veteran and Atlanta VAHCS employee, who praised the event for creating a platform where women Veterans could openly discuss issues impacting their lives.
“Women Veterans bring unique experiences and perspectives that deserve to be heard,” Williams said. “This Think Tank allowed Veterans from different generations and branches of service to come together, share ideas, and help shape solutions that will benefit women Veterans for years to come. It was inspiring to see so many people committed to making a difference.”
Participants engaged in facilitated discussions covering topics such as health care access, employment opportunities, housing, mental health services, leadership development, and community engagement. The information gathered during the event will help inform the Women Veterans Think Tank Blueprint for Action, which organizers envision as a model that can be replicated across the nation.