Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Women's History Month is a time to reflect on the strides women have made through the ages, a celebration of courage, determination, and resilience. It's a tribute to the trailblazers who dared to dream big and break through barriers, paving the way for future generations. From suffragettes fighting for the right to vote to activists championing equality and justice, their stories are a testament to the strength and spirit of women.
This month, we honor not only those who made headlines but also the everyday heroines among us. The mothers and daughters, educators and innovators, leaders and learners who, in big ways and small, contribute to our world's fabric. Their achievements, often unsung, are nonetheless pivotal in shaping our society.
Here are 10 well known accomplishments of women veterans:
1. Joan of Arc led French victories in the Hundred Years' War without military training, becoming a French heroine and saint.
2. Harriet Tubman, an abolitionist, served as a scout, spy, and nurse in the Civil War, famously guiding slaves to freedom.
3. Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man to fight in the American Revolutionary War, one of the first American women in combat.
4. Loretta Walsh was the first American woman to serve in the military non-nursing role and became the first female Navy Petty Officer.
5. Hazel W. Johnson-Brown became the first African American female general and Army Nurse Corps Chief.
6. Eileen Collins broke barriers as the first female Space Shuttle pilot and commander.
7. Ann E. Dunwoody was the first woman to become a four-star general in the U.S. Army.
8. Tammy Duckworth, a helicopter pilot in the Iraq War, became the first female double amputee from the war and a U.S. Senator.
9. Michelle J. Howard was the first woman and African American woman to become a four-star admiral and command a U.S. Navy ship.
10. Leigh Ann Hester received the Silver Star for her heroism in the Iraq War, the first woman to earn it for combat action.
Here are 10 lesser-known accomplishments of women veterans:
1. Mary Seacole provided care for soldiers during the Crimean War with her "British Hotel" and received the Jamaican Order of Merit posthumously.
2. Dr. Mary E. Walker, a Civil War surgeon, is the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor.
3. Cathay Williams was the first African American woman in the U.S. Army and the only known female Buffalo Soldier.
4. Opha May Johnson was the first woman to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps, breaking gender barriers.
5. Lillian Kinkella Keil, a highly decorated flight nurse, participated in over 250 air evacuations during WWII and the Korean War.
6. Vera Atkins, a British intelligence officer in WWII, played a key role in resistance operations in Europe.
7. Elsie S. Ott was the first woman to receive the U.S. Air Medal for her contributions to military air evacuation.
8. Lyudmila Pavlichenko was the most successful female sniper in history with 309 kills.
9. Hazel Ying Lee was the first Chinese American woman to fly for the U.S. military, breaking racial and gender barriers.
10. Eileen Vollick contributed to WWII efforts as Canada's first licensed female pilot and an aircraft inspector.
As we celebrate Women's History Month, let it be a call to action: to continue pushing boundaries, challenging the status quo, and uplifting each other. Every woman has a story, a unique contribution that can inspire change and drive humanity forward. Here's to the women of past, present, and future—may we know them, may we be them, may we raise them.
Awareness
March marks Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Awareness Month, a critical time to spotlight the challenges faced by our brave women veterans who have sustained TBIs during their service. Despite the growing recognition of TBIs in military populations, women veterans often encounter unique obstacles in their journey toward recovery and rehabilitation.
TBIs range from mild concussions to severe head injuries, impacting veterans' lives in profound ways. Symptoms can include headaches, memory problems, mood swings, and cognitive difficulties, significantly affecting daily activities and relationships. For women veterans, these challenges are compounded by the fact that they may also face gender-specific health issues, barriers to accessing care, and societal stigmas that underplay their military experiences and the injuries they've sustained.
This month, let's amplify our support for female veterans with TBIs. By advocating for specialized healthcare services, raising awareness about women's health issues in the military, and creating a supportive network, we can help our veterans navigate the complex path to recovery.
Let's honor their service by ensuring they have access to the care and support they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives. This Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month, let's commit to making a difference in the lives of women veterans who have given so much for our country.
Resources
The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) Military Outreach Campaign helps all service members and veterans with mobility impairment from a spinal cord injury or a traumatic brain injury. The PRC has two locations and an extensive website to help those living with paralysis make more informed decisions about their treatment. https://www.christopherreeve.org/get-support/military-veterans-program-mvp
The Brain Injury Association of America is the leading national organization serving and representing over 3 million people with TBI and their families in the US. There are 40 chartered state affiliates and hundreds of local chapters and support groups across the country. 1-800-444-6443 https://www.biausa.org/
Brainline provides military-specific information and resources on traumatic brain injury to veterans, service members, and their families through video, webcasts, articles, personal stories, research briefs, and current news. https://www.brainline.org/military-veterans
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has TBI facts, data, resources for health care providers, and resources on where to get help. https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/index.html
The Mild TBI Pocket Guide is for health care providers to help them assess, treat, and manage common symptoms of TBI. https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pdf/tbi_pocket_card-a.pdf
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs reports a rise in traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases among soldiers, especially from combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. TBIs, contributing to a significant number of combat casualties, underscore the importance of proper filing for TBI claims. A key update in the VA's approach allows veterans who were initially denied due to the examiner's qualifications to seek re-examination by a qualified medical professional, such as a psychiatrist or neurologist. Veterans with a TBI rating of 10% or higher are eligible for re-examination and possible compensation retroactive to their initial claim date.
For a successful TBI claim, it's crucial to have an assessment, often involving the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), to document symptoms like memory loss and attention difficulties, and to establish a clear connection between the injury and military service. Prompt action is important for accessing necessary medical records and evidence.
Veterans are encouraged to communicate detailed descriptions of their daily challenges during examinations and to seek specialized care for diagnosis and treatment options. A favorable C&P exam result significantly boosts the chances of claim approval. Understanding the process and the importance of qualified medical evaluation can greatly impact the success of a TBI claim, highlighting the VA's commitment to providing support and treatment options for veterans with TBIs.
* Content adapted from VA Claims Insider Blog
CEO Of Women Warriors Connect
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