City Council Recognizes Women Veterans During Women's History Month

Women currently comprise nearly 20% of serving military personnel and 10% of the veteran population. However, many women veterans do not receive proper recognition for their services and face a host of issues when they re-enter civilian life.

Despite serving nine million enrolled veterans every year, Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) hospitals are struggling to provide gender-specific medical care for women veterans, even as women are the fastest growing population in the VA. The recently passed Deborah Sampson Act in Congress seeks to address this issue by requiring the VA to offer primary care for female veterans at all medical centers and clinics, and provide access to counseling to women who suffered service-related sexual trauma as well as those who are at risk of becoming homeless.

This week, the Council recognized women veterans during Women’s History Month and affirmed their support for women veterans. The resolution that was adopted states, “We must recognize the challenges that women veterans face and ensure that they receive the necessary health care and support when they return home. [...] We must raise awareness that women veterans are an integral part of our military who serve our country with honor and bravery.”