Milwaukee VA hosts traveling exhibit featuring local female Veterans
More than 2 million women have served in the U.S. armed forces, but their contributions are often overlooked.
The Milwaukee VA Medical Center is working to change perceptions by hosting a traveling exhibit showcasing 32 local female Veterans.
The “I Am NOT Invisible” exhibit is on display in the hospital’s south entrance atrium throughout January.
It features larger-than-life photos and biographical vignettes of local women Veterans who served in the military, representing different time periods ranging from World War II to present day.
The display, on loan from the Milwaukee County War Memorial Center, is part of a Department of Veterans Affairs initiative to honor female Veterans and their contributions.
The role of women in the military is expected to grow over the next two decades, resulting in more female Veterans being served by VA.
About 11% of Veterans are women, according to VA’s 2021 estimates. But by 2046, that percentage is expected to rise to about 18%. The number of female Veterans is expected to increase from 2 million in 2021 to 2.2 million in 2046.
Despite the numbers, women’s military contributions are often overlooked, said Kristen Scheuing, education program manager for the War Memorial Center.
“Men tend to wear their Veteran hats and other apparel displaying their military service, while females are less likely to wear that type of clothing,” she said. “Most women Veterans are also proud of their service, but more like to keep it private unless prompted.
“These two factors alone can make women’s Veteran status ‘invisible,’ or less likely to be recognized.”
The “I Am Not Invisible” exhibit’s goal is to increase awareness and dialogue about female Veterans.
The black-and-white photos were taken by Gene Russell, the official photographer for the Secretary of Veteran Affairs in Washington, D.C. Meg Jones, a military journalist from Milwaukee, wrote the vignettes as one of her last tributes to Veterans before passing away in 2020.
Throughout the month, the Zablocki VA will feature some of the local female Veterans on its social media channels.
The exhibit will travel to other locations in the Milwaukee area this year. Anyone interested in hosting the exhibit should contact the War Memorial Center at 414-273-5533 or email info@warmemorialcenter.org