Female Veterans can connect at Milwaukee VA event
Despite being the military’s fast-growing demographic, women comprise only about 10 percent of Veterans, and it’s not uncommon for them to feel marginalized, unrecognized and disconnected. The Milwaukee VA is looking to change that.
On April 26, the Women Veterans Retreat will take place 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the War Memorial Center, 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee.
According to organizers, led by the Milwaukee VA Chaplain Service, the goal is to bring female Veterans together to revel in their camaraderie and boost their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health.
“The goal is connecting women Veterans,” said U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Dona Drew, community engagement and partnership coordinator for the Milwaukee VA. “This is an opportunity for them to network, learn more about themselves … and to reminisce about when they were serving.”
“We’re hoping to connect and make it really personal,” said Annali Topf, a Milwaukee VA chaplain, noting that the event will begin with a panel of female Veterans sharing their stories. “We hope that sets the tone for the event and for others to share their stories, to create a space of vulnerability, but also to show how strong women Veterans are.”
According to a survey conducted by the Wounded Warrior Project, 91% of female Veterans feel that civilians don’t understand their experience and that when they exit the military, they often feel disconnected or isolated.
Drew agreed with that, saying she has found support in connecting with fellow female Veterans.
“Talking with other Veterans has always been helpful for me,” she said. “Women Veterans are unicorns … and when I meet a female Veteran, I immediately put my guard down and want to connect. I want to hear their story and share my story.
“There’s a connection, because we’ve gone through similar things and encountered the same barriers,” she said. “The culture in the military is male-dominant, and we have to fight harder to do the same job and be recognized.”
Following a welcome and the panel discussion, participants will move into breakout sessions covering chaplain services, Whole Health, music therapy and mental wellness.
Lunch will be provided, and nearly two dozen organizations that support female Veterans will have resources available.
The day will conclude with a memorial walk, from the War Memorial’s eternal flame to nearby Veterans Park. The intent, Topf said, is for participants to reflect on the day and remember those who have been lost.
There will be plenty of time for networking throughout the day, and Veteran Sanctuary will be showcasing its holistic services that range from acupuncture to orthopedic massage.
It’s all designed to emphasize wellness and meet the needs of female Veterans.
“This will be a chance for the women to learn some things about themselves,” Drew said. “I think they will find connections they didn’t know existed.”
Those connections are important, said Milwaukee VA Public Affairs Specialist Katie Eggers, currently serving with the Wisconsin Army National Guard, noting that female Veterans form strong bonds.
“When you run across somebody who has been through similar stuff, you feel validated,” she said. “This is a unique opportunity to really connect and to share the struggles and the victories.”
Topf agreed, noting that participants can pick and choose what appeals to them and partake of the various activities however they want.
“We’re trying to meet all the different aspects for the women,” Topf said. “We hope that they leave feeling validated for the work they’ve done, for who they are as Veterans. We want them to leave feeling rested, peaceful, grounded and centered.”