Tampa's Veterans Celebrate Women Veterans History Month with Creative Storytelling

The gathering brought together female Veterans, allowing them to share their unique experiences while engaging in a creative shadow box crafting session.

As attendees arrived, the atmosphere began to fill with camaraderie and inspiration. Veterans crafted personalized shadow boxes—three-dimensional displays filled with mementos, photographs, medals, patches and pins that encapsulated their military journeys. This art form provided a creative, visible way for participants to express their stories, with each box telling an individual narrative of courage, sacrifice and history.

Army Veteran Marilyn Stewart explained why the Shadow box project is important to her. “I want to share my experiences with my children who were young when I was sworn in. The Army and my service is a part of our family history. I want to leave something behind for them to remember and know that their mother did something important and how important a woman is in this world.”

Several JAHVH staff supported the Women Veterans Program, including Creative Arts Therapy, Center for Development and Civic Engagement and Chaplain Services. Part of the Women Veterans Program’s mission is outreach to Women Veterans and collaboration. Creative arts therapies are part of Veterans Health Administration Recreation Therapy Service. Research supports the effectiveness of arts therapies to increase motivation to become engaged in treatment, provide emotional support for Veterans and create an outlet for expression of feelings.

Army Veteran Sandra Bermudez expressed how these activities help with her mental health. “It was a great opportunity to do something different, refreshing. I feel like I get up in the morning, and I don’t have a purpose. An event like this today lifts my spirits.”

JAHVH Dance Movement Therapist, Brittni Cleland lead the group through a guided mindfulness exercise and physical warm up before constructing the shadow boxes. VA Chaplain Tanya James-Foster provided spiritual guidance and prayer. 

Throughout the event, facilitators encouraged open dialogue, inviting Veterans to share anecdotes from their time in service. Laughter and tears intertwined as stories unfolded, bringing to life the challenges and victories that define their collective experience. Although, sometimes forgotten, Women Veterans hold a unique place in our history. 

Army Veteran, Denise Larracuenta explained. “Often Women Veterans are invisible servants of American society. Events like this one today are a solid reminder that we do have a voice and our service to our country has made a difference. No one can take that away from us!”

The event’s purpose was not only to foster creativity but a celebration of these Veterans lives, their service and the bonds they forged along the way. It was not only to remember the past by recognizing the importance of their contributions, but to honor those that paved the way for future generations.

Chaplain Tanya James-Foster further explains, “Our Women Veterans’ stories are a significant part of history. The vision for our Women Veteran’s history month collaboration was to create a sacred and safe space for our Women Veterans to share their stories.”

As the afternoon drew to a close, the room was filled with smiles and a sense of achievement. Each shadow box stood not only as a personal artifact but also as a symbol of unity and strength among Women Veterans, reminding all present that their legacies continue to inspire others.

James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital continues to accomplish Abraham Lincoln's promise to Veterans, "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan," which is the foundation of the mission statement for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

For more information about the Women’s Veteran Program or Creative Arts therapy, visit our website at https://www.va.gov/womenvet/ or https://www.rehab.va.gov/rectherapy/index.asp

View the photos of the event here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jahvh/albums/72177720324516427/with/54397324870