News
Protect Our Defenders Announces First Annual Justice Award Winners
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
On January 20, 2016, two attorneys from the California Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center (LAS-ELC), Cacilia Kim, Special Counsel, and Elizabeth Kristen, Director of their Gender Equity & LGBT Rights Program, received the "2016 Protect Our Defenders Justice Award." Ms. Kim and Ms. Kristen received the inaugural award for their tireless work on behalf of military sexual assault survivors through Protect Our Defenders (POD) "Pro Bono Network." POD is the only national human rights organization solely dedicated to ending harassment and sexual assault in the U.S. military. Former Chief Prosecutor of the U.S. Air Force and President of Protect Our Defenders, Colonel Don Christensen, will present the awards..
Journal Shares Discoveries on Women Veterans' Long-Term Health Outcomes
Tuesday, January 19, 2016 | Category: Health Care - National
The "Women Veterans in the Women's Health Initiative" supplemental to "The Gerontologist," published in February 2016, includes 13 articles by Department of Veterans Affairs researchers and colleagues comparing aging and mortality differences between veteran and non-veteran women. Research findings were extracted from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a long-term study funded by the National Institutes of Health's National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and begun in 1991. Researchers stated that "prior military service identifies a group of women who face special challenges as they grow older."
Veteran Underemployment Represents Growing Concern
Sunday, January 17, 2016 | Category: Employment - National
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterans continue to have a higher unemployment rate than non-veterans and veterans of the recent Middle East conflicts have a higher rate than other veteran populations. Female veterans with Gulf War-era II experience have greater unemployment rates than male veterans who served during this same time period. And, active duty servicewomen may struggle more finding employment than National Guard and Reserve women.
Advocates: Connecticut working to end veteran homelessness
Sunday, January 17, 2016 | Category: Housing/Experiencing Homelessness - Connecticut
In January 2015, it was estimated that 47,725 veterans were homeless nationwide on a single night with about 34 percent unsheltered. While most were men, 4,338 were women. According to the same study, between 2009 and 2015, there was a 35 percent decrease in the homeless veteran population. "Homes for the Brave" provides transitional housing and support services for veterans. Forgotten Heroes, a partner of Homes for the Brave, is the only facility specifically for female veterans in Connecticut.
Mass. Agency Aims to Help Businesses Run by Women, Veterans and Minorities
Friday, January 15, 2016 | Category: Business - Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Growth Capital Corp. (MGCC) aims to assist small-business owners, particularly minorities and women, to obtain a line of credit. The quasi-public agency fills the gap between banks and online lenders, assisting more than 260 companies with capital financing commitments totaling $83.8 million. The MGCC recently launched "Diversity Goal Support" which helps minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses with up-front capital to fund initial start-up costs like payroll and supplies when competing for state contacts.
The Women Excluded From Arlington National Cemetery
Friday, January 15, 2016 | Category: History/Heritage - National
In 2015, the Secretary of the Army rescinded the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) eligibility to be inurned at Arlington National Cemetery after their official veteran status was achieved in 1977, over 30 years after they served stateside and overseas during World War II. They flew 77 different types of aircraft and over 60 million miles. Thirty-eight died during the war. General "Hap" Arnold fought for WASP official military status in 1944, but unexpectedly lost that Congressional battle. His letter to the WASPs and the legislative bill is included in this article. About 200 WASPs went to Korea and Vietnam as Reserves. Since 2002, they have been eligible to be placed in Arlington National Cemetery with standard honors. Legislation to restore inurnment rights has been introduced by Representative Martha McSally, an Air-Force veteran, and Senator Barbara Mikulski put forward a similar bill in the Senate. Today, there are only 115 WASPs living, all over 90 years old.
Air Force Colonel in Colorado Charged With Rape, Assault
Friday, January 15, 2016 | Category: Sexual Harassment/Assault/Trauma - National
An Air Force colonel at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado was charged with rape, assault and adultery in late 2014 or early 2015. He was the second in command of the 50th Space Wing communication satellites. A hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence for a court-martial is scheduled for March 17, 2015.
Military and Women-Focused Tech Charities Received $160K from CompTIA & Creating IT Futures Foundation Since 2013
Thursday, January 14, 2016 | Category: Education - Illinois
CompTIA's "Creating IT Futures Foundation" have donated more than $400,000 dollars to technology-related charities since 2013. Military and women-focused charities with technology programs have benefited from this philanthropy, receiving 40 percent ($160,000) of the donations.
First Command Reports: Military Families Commit to Grow Financially in 2016
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 | Category: Finances - National
First Command Bank found that middle-class military families are confident their household finances will improve in 2016 and they're making positive New Year's resolutions to achieve their aspirations. They share the top 10 resolutions. This comes when their is continuing defense budget uncertainty and downsizing.
Meet the Veterans invited to the State of the Union
Tuesday, January 12, 2016 | Category: Department of Defense - National
Six women and men currently serving along with military veterans were honored at President Obama’s final State of the Union address s guests of the White House.