Hey Women Warriors,

Welcome to August: Courage, Connection & Breaking Barriers!

This month, we’re honoring the women who served where they “weren’t supposed to”—like 1st Lt. Reba Z. Whittle, the only American woman POW in Europe during WWII, who logged over 500 combat flight hours before being shot down and captured. (You’ll find her story of grit and grace inside.)

We’re also diving into the Purple Heart—when it’s okay to ask about it… and when you should just say “thank you” and move on. You’ll meet trailblazers like Loretta Walsh, the Navy’s first enlisted woman, and learn what TDIU really means (and what it doesn’t) so you can separate fact from barracks rumor.

From Military Marriage Day to Women’s Equality Day, we’ve packed in special observances, free resources, and a quote to remind you that you were forged to rise—again and again—no matter who said you couldn’t.

Some stories this month will inspire you. Others may make you want to grab your rucksack and march straight to Capitol Hill. All are a reminder that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off—because women warriors don’t just serve, they endure, they lead, and they change the rules for the next generation.

Let’s go!
Carma

- Pro and Con List for Asking A Purple Heart Recipient How They Got It
- She Wasn’t Meant to Serve Like That. Good Thing She Didn’t Listen.
- When Duty Isn’t Enough to Protect Your Family
- August Special Observances and Free Resources
- You weren’t trained to quit. Quote
- Before Women Were Allowed—She Enlisted
- VA Maternity Care Coordinators Help You Navigate Care
- TDIU and Truth: What You Can (and Can’t) Do With the Rating

What Do You Think? Should You Ask a Purple Heart Recipient How They Got It?
Proceed with caution... and maybe a helmet.

(👇🏼Scroll to the bottom to see the full pro and con list/explanation)

The True Story of 1st Lt. Reba Z. Whittle, the Only American Woman POW in Europe During WWII
Reba Z. Whittle wasn’t supposed to be in a war zone. At least, not according to most people’s expectations of a woman in 1944.

But Reba didn’t follow expectations.

A U.S. Army nurse from Texas, she volunteered for one of the most dangerous assignments of WWII: flight nurse. Her mission? Airlifting wounded soldiers out of combat zones in Europe, stabilizing them mid-air while enemy fire thundered all around.

She logged over 500 combat flight hours, completed more than 40 missions—and on September 27, 1944, she boarded what was supposed to be another routine evacuation flight over Germany.
The plane never made it.

Shot down near Aachen, Reba was badly injured in the crash. But instead of rescue, she was captured—making her the only American woman taken as a POW in the European Theater of WWII.

Despite her injuries, Reba cared for the wounded around her, even as a prisoner. She endured captivity, was eventually released, and returned home quietly—never seeking fame. It wasn’t until 1997, over 50 years later, that the military officially recognized her as a POW and awarded her the Prisoner of War Medal.

She also received the Purple Heart and Air Medal, symbols of her sacrifice and courage under fire.
“They never expected us to serve like that,” she once said. “But we did.”

This August, as we honor Purple Heart recipients and women who broke through every “not supposed to,” let Reba’s story be a reminder:

Women don’t just serve.
They endure.
They lead.
They make history—even when history tries to forget them.
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Army Sgt. Ayssac Correa believed his military service would shield his family from immigration enforcement. But in March 2025, his wife, Shirly Guardado, was detained by ICE outside her workplace, despite being in the process of legalizing her status. Guardado, who had lived in the U.S. for over a decade and checked in regularly with ICE, was deported to Honduras on her 28th birthday after nearly three months in detention—leaving behind her husband and their 10-month-old son.

Correa had applied for “military parole in place,” a program intended to protect undocumented family members of service members, but Shirly’s expedited removal order disqualified her. Immigration experts note that military families are not guaranteed protection or legal support, and many remain silent due to stigma and fear. Even when applications are filed properly, responses are delayed or denied—creating instability for those who serve.

The case is one of many highlighting the disconnect between service and security. In recent months, ICE has detained spouses of other active-duty personnel, sparking public outcry. While bipartisan bills have been reintroduced to protect military families, many remain vulnerable.

Advocates argue that deporting military family members undermines readiness and retention. Correa is now considering leaving the Army if he cannot be stationed near his wife. “You recruit the service member, but you retain the family,” says one advocate.

Other military spouses, like Alejandra Juarez—deported under the Trump administration and later granted humanitarian parole—face renewed uncertainty as protections expire.

This story underscores how U.S. immigration policy continues to impact even those in uniform, revealing gaps in protection for families who serve alongside them. As one advocate put it, “Families serve too”—and for many, the sacrifice continues long after the uniform comes off.

August is:
- Purple Heart Month

August 1 –7 -  World Breastfeeding Week 
August 4 - U.S. Coast Guard Birthday 
August 7 - Purple Heart Day 
August 14 - Military Marriage Day 
August 26 - Women’s Equality Day
​August 29 - Marine Corps Reserve Birthday
​

AUGUST RESOURCES

Purple Heart Resources
Military Order of the Purple Heart- https://purpleheart.org/
Operation Purple Heart Healing Adventures- https://www.militaryfamily.org/programs/operation-purple/healing-adventures/
Paws for Purple Hearts- www.pawsforpurplehearts.org

Marriage and Family Resources
Military Family Advisory Network- https://militaryfamilyadvisorynetwork.org/
Wounded Warrior Family Support- https://wwfs.org/
PTSD Family Coach app (find in your App Store/Google Play)

VA Maternity and Breastfeeding
The VA has more services for women veterans all of the time. Currently they have abortion services, birth control, breastfeeding and lactation, infertility and IVF, maternity care, menopause, pap test/gynecologic cancer, pregnancy, mental health, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, post-pregnancy health care, pre-pregnancy health, pregnancy loss, sexual health, and suicide prevention.
https://www.womenshealth.va.gov/WOMENSHEALTH/topics/reproductive-health.asp

Parent and Family 
Grow Thrive Parenting Program- https://thrive.psu.edu/universal-parenting-programs/grow/
Babies on the Homefront (App)- https://babiesonthehomefront.org/
Military OneSource - https://www.militaryonesource.mil/
Air Force Aid Society- https://afas.org/
American Legion Family Support Network- https://www.legion.org/familysupport
​

“ You were forged to rise—again and again—no matter who said you couldn’t.”
— Women Warriors Connect
​

Loretta Perfectus Walsh, born in 1896 to Irish immigrants in Olyphant, Pennsylvania, made history as the first woman to officially enlist in the U.S. Navy and hold military rank. After graduating from Lackawanna Business College and working as a recruitment clerk, she volunteered with the Navy League before becoming the first female Yeoman (F) in the Naval Reserve on March 17, 1917.

Just days later, she was sworn in as Chief Yeoman (F)—the Navy’s first female petty officer—earning equal pay and benefits as her male counterparts. Her enlistment came after the Secretary of the Navy interpreted the Naval Reserve Act of 1916 to allow the recruitment of women to fill vital clerical and shore-based roles amid a shortage of male enlistees.

Walsh helped boost enlistment during World War I and served in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. While volunteering at the Philadelphia Naval Home during the 1918 influenza pandemic, she contracted the Spanish flu, which weakened her immune system and led to tuberculosis. She was released from active duty in 1919 and awarded the World War I Victory Medal.

Walsh remained in the reserves until 1921. She later married fellow tuberculosis patient Frederick Bowman but succumbed to the illness in 1925. She was buried with full military honors in her hometown.

Her legacy lives on through annual wreath-laying ceremonies and commemorations, including a named cannon on the USS Constitution and a Pennsylvania state historical marker. Though often referred to as Loretta, her official records indicate her name was likely Loretto.

Walsh’s service marked a turning point for women in the military—breaking gender barriers and paving the way for future generations of women in uniform.
​

Every VA facility offers a Maternity Care Coordinator (MCC) to support pregnant women Veterans through pregnancy and the year after childbirth. MCCs are trained professionals who understand both maternal health and the unique needs of Veterans. Their role is to act as your advocate, ensuring you and your baby receive high-quality, coordinated care.

When you enroll in VA maternity care benefits, your MCC becomes part of your VA health care team. They provide support across every stage—reaching out once per trimester, after delivery, and quarterly during the year following birth. These check-ins help you stay on track with health screenings and follow-up care, especially for conditions like gestational diabetes or high blood pressure.

Your MCC can assist you in navigating both VA and non-VA care systems, accessing mental and physical health services, and connecting with community resources. They’ll also provide educational materials and help you get needed supplies like breast pumps, maternity belts, and nursing bras.

Whether it’s your first child or your fourth, your MCC ensures you’re never alone in the process.

To get started, contact your VA health care provider or local Women Veterans Program Manager. Learn more at the VA Women’s Health Maternity Care page.
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Many veterans are confused about the requirements and rules around Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU)—often due to myths passed around at VFW halls and online forums. This article helps clarify what TDIU is, who qualifies, and how it works.

TDIU Eligibility has Two Key Parts:
1. Disability Rating:
-  You must have either one service-connected condition rated at 60% or higher, or a combined rating of 70%, with one of those conditions rated at least 40%.
2. Employment Impact:
-  You must be unable to maintain substantially gainful employment (a steady job that supports you financially) due to those service-connected disabilities.

Myth-Busting Highlights:
Myth #1: You need a combined 70%+ rating to qualify.

✅ Fact: A single 60% disability also qualifies.

Myth #2: You can’t work at all on TDIU.

✅ Fact: Veterans may still work in marginal employment (earning under the poverty threshold) or in a protected work environment where accommodations are made (e.g., remote work, flexible standards) and still retain TDIU.

Myth #3: TDIU automatically gives you permanent 100% and free dental.

✅ Fact: TDIU pays at the 100% rate, but it's not always considered permanent and may require re-evaluation. Free dental may be offered in specific situations but isn’t guaranteed solely based on TDIU.

Ultimately, misinformation can spread fast—especially among well-meaning but misinformed veterans. This article encourages readers to check facts, speak confidently about their rights, and connect with experts to explore eligibility. TDIU can be life-changing for veterans unable to work due to service-connected conditions, but understanding the fine print is key.
👉 If you think you may qualify, seek guidance and get started.

* Content adapted from VA Claims Insider Blog
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