Hey Women Warriors, 

Welcome to February: A Month of Reflection, Savings, and Self-Care!
February is here, bringing with it opportunities to honor history, improve well-being, and strengthen connections—whether with your loved ones or yourself. This month’s Women Warriors Connect newsletter is packed with resources, insights, and ways to make the most of the benefits available to you as a veteran.

Let's Go!
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Test Your Knowledge - State With The Most Bases
Black History Month: Honoring African American Women Veterans
Mark Your Calendar: February's Special Observances
Save Big: Tax-Free Grocery Shopping at Commissaries!
Organization Spotlight: Unlock Affordable Getaways with Armed Forces Vacation Club!
Build Up Your Relationship Bootcamp
February is Heart Health Month: Love Your Heart, Live Your Best Life!
VA CLAIMS CORNER: The Importance of a NEXUS Letter for Your VA Disability Claim
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Throughout history, African American women have played a pivotal role in shaping the U.S. Armed Forces, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of servicewomen. Here are a few remarkable women who have left their mark:

🔹 Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley – The first African American woman to be an officer in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC), she led the all-Black 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during WWII.
🔹 Brig. Gen. Hazel Johnson-Brown – The first African American woman to become a general in the U.S. Army and the first Black Chief of the Army Nurse Corps.
🔹 Cmdr. Darlene Iskra – The first African American woman to command a U.S. Navy ship, leading the USS Opportune in 1990.
🔹 Sgt. Maj. Michele S. Jones – The first Black woman to serve as Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Reserve.

Resources for Minority Veterans: Scholarships & Grants
African American women veterans have access to various scholarships and funding opportunities to support education, entrepreneurship, and career advancement. Here are some key programs:

📌 Pat Tillman Foundation Scholarship – Open to veterans, service members, and spouses, this scholarship supports higher education goals. https://pattillmanfoundation.org/apply/

📌 American Legion Auxiliary Scholarships – Several scholarships are available, including ones specifically for minority veterans. https://www.legion-aux.org/scholarships

📌 The Dr. Betty Shabazz Scholarship for Women Veterans – Offered by the National Black Veterans Association, this scholarship supports Black women pursuing higher education. https://nabvets.com/

📌 The NAACP’s Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship – Available to members of the NAACP, including veterans and their families. https://naacp.org/find-resources/scholarships-awards-internships/scholarships/agnes-jones-jackson-scholarship

📌 Women Veterans Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V-WISE) Program – A program that provides entrepreneurship training for women veterans interested in starting a business. https://ivmf.syracuse.edu/programs/entrepreneurship/start-up/v-wise/

​💡 Tip: Many Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) offer special grants and tuition assistance

February is:
American Heart Month- https://www.heart.org/
National Cancer Prevention Month- https://www.aicr.org/
National Eating Disorder Awareness Week Feb 24-Mar 2 - https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/

Feb 3- Four Chaplains Day - https://fourchaplains.org/the-four-chaplains/
Feb 14- Valentine’s Day
Boy Valentine’s Card: https://www.operationwearehere.com/ColoringValentineBoy.pdf
Girl Valentine’s Card: https://www.operationwearehere.com/ColoringValentinetGirl.pdf
Feb 19- Coast Guard Reserve Birthday
​Feb 19 President’s Day

HEALTH RESOURCES:
Catch A Lift Fund - Women's Initiative- https://catchaliftfund.org/womens-initiative/
Connected Warriors- https://www.connectedwarriors.org/
Do Yoga With Me- https://www.doyogawithme.com/
Fire Team Whiskey- https://www.fireteamwhiskey.com/
Gerofit- https://www.va.gov/GERIATRICS/pages/gerofit_Home.asp
MOVE! Weight Management Program- https://www.move.va.gov/
Team Red White & Blue- https://www.teamrwb.org/
Veterans Yoga Project- https://www.veteransyogaproject.org/

RELATIONSHIP RESOURCES:
Minority Veterans of America (MVA)- https://minorityvets.org/
My Seester- https://myseester.com/
Relationship Transformers Podcast- https://martinopodcast.com/all-podcast-episodes/
Salty Women Veterans- https://www.facebook.com/groups/saltywomenvets
Vets Talk Podcast- www.vets-talk.com
Women Veterans- https://www.facebook.com/groups/Femalevets
Women Veterans- https://www.facebook.com/groups/373736470548085
Women Warriors Connect- https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenwarriorsconnect/
Woven Women Vets- https://www.wovenwomenvets.org/

Did you know that veterans with service-connected disabilities, Purple Heart recipients, and VA caregivers now have access to commissaries?

You can access over 200 military commissaries worldwide and save over 25% compared to civilian grocery stores with tax-free groceries.

Veterans with a service-connected disability rating (0% or higher), Purple Heart recipients & former POWs, and VA approved caregivers (registered in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers) all qualify to access Commissaries.

To access the Commissary, bring your VA healthcare enrollment card and a valid photo ID. You can locate your nearest commissary at:  https://shop.commissaries.com/

Also, The Commissary also accepts SNAP/EBT benefits, making it even more accessible for veterans needing financial assistance.
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If you're planning a trip this year, don’t forget to check out Armed Forces Vacation Club (AFVC), a free travel club offering huge vacation discounts exclusively for military personnel, retirees, and veterans.

What is AFVC?
Provides access to resort stays worldwide starting at just $409 per week (that's about $58 per night!).
Available to all veterans—not just retirees! Includes destinations in the U.S., Caribbean, Europe, and more.

How to Join?
Sign up for free at  https://www.afvclub.com/ and start booking discounted vacations today!

💡 Tip: AFVC also offers last-minute deals that let veterans book vacations for as low as $309 per week.
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This month, I’m challenging you to strengthen your relationship—whether it’s with your significant other or yourself. The Build Up Your Relationship Bootcamp is inspired by Dr. Cheryl Fraser’s Sex, Love, and Elephants podcast (episodes 37-40) and is designed to help you deepen connection, appreciation, and intimacy.

How It Works:
Each topic below can be your focus for a day or two, building up until Valentine’s Day. Or if you want to spend one week on each topic area, you can continue with the bootcamp on past the holiday:
1. Touch – Prioritize physical connection. Try a three-breath hug (align hearts and hug for three deep breaths) and share a goodnight kiss. If you’re focusing on self-love, give yourself a daily hug.
2. Talk – Express appreciation for your partner with thoughtful words or notes. If you’re single, journal about what you love about yourself.
3. Tease – Build anticipation with flirty messages or love notes. If working on self-love, write a "What I Love About You" letter to yourself.
4. Tantalize – Engage in soothing touch, like a hand or foot massage, or change up intimacy routines. If focusing on self-care, schedule a professional massage.

A Bootcamp Checklist is available to help you track your progress.
Ready to build a stronger, more connected relationship? Let’s do this together! 💙
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How Stress and PTSD Impact Heart Health for Women Veterans

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., and stress-related conditions like PTSD can significantly increase the risk for women veterans.

How PTSD & Stress Impact the Heart:
Higher Blood Pressure: Chronic stress leads to hypertension, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Inflammation & Artery Damage: PTSD can cause increased inflammation in the body, contributing to heart disease.
Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms: Many veterans may turn to smoking, drinking, or emotional eating to cope with stress, which negatively impacts heart health.
Poor Sleep & Fatigue: PTSD-related insomnia and anxiety put extra strain on the heart.

How to Protect Your Heart Health:

✅ Get Regular Checkups: VA Healthcare offers free annual heart screenings for enrolled veterans.
✅ Move Your Body: Even a 20-minute daily walk can improve heart health.

✅ Eat Heart-Healthy Foods: Focus on whole foods, lean proteins, and Omega-3-rich foods.

✅ Use VA Stress-Reduction Programs: The VA offers free mental health resources, yoga therapy, and meditation programs.

✅ Monitor Blood Pressure: Many VA clinics provide free blood pressure monitors to veterans at risk for hypertension.
💡 Tip: You can request a VA cardiac health screening at your next appointment!
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Free Tax Filing Services for Veterans

Filing taxes can be overwhelming, but several programs offer free tax preparation services for veterans:
📌 IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program – Provides free tax prep for veterans and those who earn under $60,000 per year.
📌 Military OneSource MilTax – A 100% free tax software available for veterans within one year of leaving active duty.
📌 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide – Offers free in-person and virtual tax help for veterans of all ages, not just retirees!
📌 H&R Block’s Free Online Filing for Veterans – Some veterans qualify for free federal and state tax filing through H&R Block.

What VA Benefits & Disability Compensation Mean for Your Tax Return
🤔 Do you pay taxes on VA disability payments?

✅ No! VA disability compensation is not taxable and does not need to be reported as income.

Other Tax Breaks for Veterans:

​💰 Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption – Many states offer property tax reductions for disabled veterans. Check with your state VA office!

💰 Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – Veterans with lower incomes may qualify for this major tax refund boost.

💰 State-Specific Veteran Tax Benefits – Some states provide state income tax exemptions for military retirement pay.

💡 Tip: Always check https://www.irs.gov/ and your state VA office for updated tax credits and deductions.
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A NEXUS letter is a crucial part of your VA disability claim. It provides a clear link between your military service and your current disability, proving that an in-service event, injury, or illness caused your condition. Without this letter, your claim may be denied.

What is a NEXUS Letter?
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The VA requires medical proof that your disability is service-connected. A NEXUS letter, written by a licensed medical professional, explains this connection. Many veterans avoid seeking medical help due to concerns, such as how a PTSD diagnosis might impact gun ownership, but these fears are often based on misinformation. Seeing a doctor is essential to securing the benefits you deserve.

How to Get a NEXUS Letter
If you already have a treating physician, they may be able to provide a NEXUS letter, but it must be written using VA-specific language. Most civilian doctors use a higher standard of medical certainty than the VA requires. To ensure accuracy, consider consulting a VA doctor or an independent medical team familiar with VA claims.

When and What to Submit
Submit your NEXUS letter as early as possible in your claim process. The letter should be factual, concise, and include:

✅ A clear statement linking your condition to your service

✅ The doctor’s certification in the relevant medical field

✅ A professional opinion using VA-approved language (e.g., “at least as likely as not”)

✅ Confirmation that the doctor has reviewed your medical history

A well-prepared NEXUS letter can significantly strengthen your claim. If you need help, VA claims experts can assist in reviewing and preparing your letter to ensure it meets VA standards.

* Content adapted from VA Claims Insider Blog
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There’s one U.S. state with more military bases than any other—do you know which one?
✅ Answer: California, which has 32 military bases across all branches.

Not sure the best way to get started? Follow these simple steps to hit the ground running.

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