​Hey Women Warriors,

Welcome to July: Legacy, Light & Tactical Joy!

This month, we’re honoring the trailblazing women who served when the world wasn’t looking—including one heroic nurse who led 643 evacuees to safety during the Korean War. (You’ll find her name—and her unforgettable story—at the bottom of this issue.)

We’re also honoring daughters who’ve both worn the uniform, and we’re spotlighting creative ways to recharge through outdoor recreation, art, and equine therapy.

From UV safety tips to free national park access, we’ve got what you need to thrive this summer—whether you’re on a trail, in a hammock, or just avoiding group camping like the ruck march never ended.

VA Claims Corner unpacks how chronic pain is finally being recognized as a claimable condition, and our Women Veteran Trivia will test your knowledge with a surprise twist.

Let’s raise a flag for the ones who came before—and make space for joy, strength, and sunshine along the way.

Let’s go!
​Carma

- Women Veteran Trivia - Who Was She?
​- The Forgotten Front: Women Who Served When the World Wasn’t Looking
​- Marching in Her Boots
​- Shield Up, Warrior: Sun Safety for Summer Missions
- July Special Observances and Resources
​- Do Veterans Go Camping - Joke
​- Heal Outside the Lines: Recreation That Restores
​- VA Claims Corner: Chronic Pain Now Recognized as a Primary VA Disability Claim

She was the first U.S. service member decorated for action in the Korean War… but most Americans have never heard her name.

She didn’t carry a weapon. She carried hope, grit, and 643 souls to safety.
Want to know who she was—and why her story still matters today?

​👉 Scroll to end of this newsletter to meet the woman who led when the world was falling apart.

They called it “The Forgotten War.” But for the women who served, there was nothing forgettable about it.

This July, as we mark the 72nd anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, we’re shining a light on the often-overlooked women who answered the call—from battlefield hospitals to support units far from home. They served in fatigues and in compassion, holding the line in a war that history sometimes skips.

Nurses in Combat Boots
More than 500 Army nurses were deployed to Korea during the war. These women treated frostbite, shrapnel wounds, and invisible injuries we only later learned to name. They worked in MAS*H units with no running water, little heat, and constant movement. Their grit, skill, and calm under fire saved thousands.

Women Behind the Scenes
Beyond the operating tables, women served as clerks, typists, translators, and morale officers. Many were part of the Women's Army Corps (WAC), WAVES (Navy), or worked in intelligence and communications. Their contributions were vital to maintaining operations and managing the emotional toll of war for their fellow service members.

One Voice: A Veteran Reflects
“We weren’t looking for medals. We just wanted to serve. We wanted to help the boys get home. We patched them up, wrote letters for them, held their hands when they couldn’t hold on. That was our mission.”
— Joanne “Jo” Markham, Korean War Nurse Corps (interview, 1997)

How You Can Honor Them
- Read their stories: Visit the Military Women's Memorial. https://womensmemorial.org/
- Share your own: Did your mother, aunt, or grandmother serve during the Korean War era? Send us her story and we’ll honor her in a future social media post.
​- Reflect & Remember: On July 27, take a quiet moment to thank these women. Their war may be forgotten—but they are not.

She watched her mother lace up tight,
A warrior framed in morning light.
With strength and grace, she stood so tall—
A soldier, mother, leader, all.

She learned the cadence, learned the call,
Felt duty’s weight, yet feared no fall.
In camo thread, their stories blend—
Two uniforms, one legacy to send.

Through sand and snow, through trials faced,
They carved a path with fierce embrace.
Not just in name, but in resolve—
Two hearts that serve, two souls evolved.

A bond of blood, of pride, of pain,
Of service running through their vein.
Mother. Daughter. Both stood true—
​A flag, a vow, red, white, and blue.​

Does your family have mothers and daughters who have served?
Let us know and we'll showcase your story in a future social media post.
​Support@womenwarriorsconnect.com

You trained for harsh conditions, but nobody handed you a field manual for UV radiation. Whether you’re hiking, gardening, fishing, or just keeping up with the grandkids, it’s time to armor up—for your skin.

July is UV Safety Month, and that means protecting your most exposed territory: your face, arms, and any proud tattoo zones that have seen one too many summers without backup.

I'm feeling extra passionate about this topic because I went to a family reunion in June, and my great aunt had just had skin removed from her scalp and both sides of the back of her neck due to skin cancer.

Why This Matters for Veterans
Women veterans face higher-than-average exposure risks—thanks to years spent in training fields, deployments, or long days outside the wire. UV damage doesn’t just cause wrinkles. It can lead to serious skin conditions, including melanoma. But the good news? Protection is simple and powerful.

Mission Ready for the Sun: Your UV Protection Checklist
✅ SPF 30+ Sunscreen – Apply every 2 hours. Don’t forget ears, neck, and back of hands.

✅ Sun Shirts (UPF 50+) – Long-sleeved, breathable gear is your best defense.
✅ Tactical Headwear – Wide-brim hats or caps with neck flaps win over style points here.

✅ Sunglasses – UV-blocking lenses protect your eyes and reduce headaches.

✅ Hydration Pack – Keep water within arm’s reach at all times—your energy and skin depend on it.

✅ Time It Right – Avoid peak sun from 10am–4pm if possible. Schedule morning PT or evening outings.

✅ Aftercare – Use aloe or a skin-calming lotion post-exposure, especially after long outdoor missions.

Field Intel: A Dermatologist's Quick Tip
“Women with service-connected outdoor roles need regular skin checks. Veterans, especially those with lighter skin tones or sun-sensitive meds, should see a dermatologist once a year.”
— Dr. Lara Kim, VA Dermatologist & Veteran Advocate
​

July is:
- National Recreation and Parks Month
- National Minority Mental Health Month
- UV Safety Month

July 4 - Independence Day
July 6–12 - National Therapeutic Recreation Week
July 13 - National Moth­er-Daughter Day
July 25 - National Hire a Veteran Day
July 27 - National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
​July 29 - Army Chaplain Corps Anniversary
​July 20-26 - Massage Is For Everybody Week

ENTERTAINMENT & EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES

Space A Resources:
- Space-A Travel: https://www.amc.af.mil/AMC-Travel-Site/AMC-Space-Available-Travel-Page/
- DoD Lodging: https://www.poppinsmoke.com/
- Poppin' Smoke Blog: https://www.poppinsmoke.com/

Parks & Recreation:
- National Recreation and Park Association: https://www.nrpa.org/
- National Parks Pass: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm
- U.S. Vet Connect's Comprehensive Resource Hub: https://www.usvetconnect.com/
*This is a small but mighty list. U.S. Vet Connect has a deep resource database with free programs and retreats for Archery, Arts, ATV/Off Roading, Cycling, Equine, Fishing, Golf, Hiking, Homesteading, Hunting, Martial Arts, Motorcycles, Music, Retreats, Scuba Diving, Service Dogs, Winter Sports, Yoga and More...

Jobs:
- Feds Hire Vets: https://www.fedshirevets.gov/
- Veterans Ascend: https://theascendcollective.org/veteransascend/
- Career One Stop: https://www.careeronestop.org/
- Corporate Gray: https://www.corporategray.com/
- Empower Employ: https://empoweremploy.us