Hines VA hosts Women Veterans celebration in Kankakee

The free event included area non-profits and government agencies offering support unique to female Veterans, as well as art activities, yoga, self-defense instruction and massages. The keynote speech was given by Marine Corps Veterans and Illinois State Representative Stephanie Kifowit.

"I am honored to have been the keynote speaker at the Celebrating Women Veterans event held at Kankakee Community College and share my military story,” she said. “It was an honor to address my fellow women Veterans and share insights on the challenges and triumphs we face.” 

Located 60 miles south of downtown Chicago, Kankakee was chosen to better serve women Veterans in rural areas. In 2019, three of every four women using VA services had urban addresses, but the number of rural women is increasing, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

“It’s not very often you get a female Veteran event down here in Kankakee, so I was really excited to see it and what they had to offer and see other women Veterans,” said Claudia Booth, an Air Force Veteran. “I was afraid there wouldn’t be very many women Veterans here, so it was wonderful to see such a big turnout.”

Fifty Veterans attended the event with seven enrolling in health care at Hines and 13 screened for toxic exposure while in the military as part of the 2022 PACT Act. Attendees were excited about the event’s offerings.

“It was a really wide selection. I was surprised to see how many people, really from all over the country came to offer their services,” said Booth. “It was really mind-boggling. I wasn’t expecting it.”

“I had no idea a majority of this stuff existed, so it’s been very informational and very fun,” said Sadie Piehl, Army Veteran, KCC student and vice president of the KCC Veteran’s Association. Piehl plans to share the resources she collected with fellow Veterans she served with and the school’s Veteran Association.

Building camaraderie among women Veterans was also highlighted by participants. 

“I think the best part of the day was the feeling of community,” said Karen McLean, Hines VA clinical nurse manager and event coordinator. “It was very palpable, just looking at the Veterans and community partners engaging. There was this overwhelming sense of community that was really quite emotional.”

Attendees agreed events like this are essential for women Veterans.

“I served back in the 80s, so this wasn’t commonplace when I was serving. To see this coming to fruition and to have women Veterans get together like this, it’s really heartwarming,” said Booth.

Women are the fastest-growing group of American Veterans and are projected to comprise 18 percent by 2040, so events like this highlight opportunities for the more than 2 million women Veterans in the United States today.

“Many women Veterans feel alone and isolated; this event showcased the incredible support network available to women Veterans,” Kifowit said after her keynote speech.

Hines VA Hospital hopes to use the event as a model for future women-focused events.

“We are committed to bringing women Veterans through our doors to ensure they receive the best care in the nation,” said James Doelling, Hines VA hospital director. “We will continue working with the community to provide resources that are important to our women Veterans.”