Women Veterans make up 1.8 million of the U.S. population, of which roughly 10 percent are disabled and enrolled with the Department of Veterans Affairs. They are the fastest growing Veteran population, yet many of these women often feel forgotten and pushed aside while trying to navigate a system that wasn’t designed to address their unique healthcare needs. They also feel isolated not only from the entire Veteran population, but from each other.
PVA’s ties to women Veterans date back to its first meeting in 1946 with the arrival of its first female Veteran member, Anita Bloom (affectionately known as “Nita”), who fought to ensure women Veterans’ healthcare needs were properly met. PVA continues Nita’s legacy to this day as part of its Women Veterans Initiative. From the development of its Anita Bloom Committee and creation of its Women Veterans Empowerment Retreat to its advocacy efforts and informative webinars, PVA serves as the nation’s leader in securing safe, equal, and accessible health and wellness services that are at least equal to what they had prior to joining the service and suffering a disability.
ANITA BLOOM WOMEN VETERANS COMMITTEE
Vision
To provide PVA women Veteran members, regardless of age, race, color, disability, national or ethnic origin, or religious expression, an opportunity to achieve an improved quality of life through inclusive, safe, and equal acess to healthcare, benefits, recreational opportunities, and employment services they have earned.
Mission
To strengthen the leadership, amplify the voices, and highlight the needs of PVA women members in their pursuit of quality healthcare, accessibility, and benefits. The committee will work with all PVA departments to secure these services and benefits.
Outreach and Engagement
The Anita Bloom Women Veterans Committee (ABWVC) will collaborate with the PVA national Communications Department, PVA Publications, and Membership Department in providing and publicizing resources, knowledge, and services that would directly benefit PVA women Veteran members. The Committee will identify potential women members and encourage them to join PVA. This Committee will encourage broad participation of the members in activities and events for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and information in a context of partnership to influence public decisions and advocacy.
WOMEN VETERANS EMPOWERMENT RETREAT
Created For Women By Women
From service members and family members to caregivers and more, women Veterans wear many different hats, and so do the unique health care challenges they face. PVA’s Women Veterans Empowerment Retreat (formerly known as WE Served) is an all-expenses-paid retreat that focuses on the holistic well-being of women veterans with disabilities. This immersive and outcomes-driven experience – limited to just 40 attendees – is designed to empower women to navigate the unique challenges of their everyday lives … and help them flourish.
Participants enjoy four days of learning and community-building in an inclusive and supportive environment. During the retreat, PVA assembles a line-up of experts and thought leaders who present on topics including:
- Whole health – mind, body, and spirit
- Independent living
- Financial security
- Nutrition
- Finding meaningful employment
- Accessing VA benefits
- Women’s health
The goal of this retreat is for women Veterans to walk away with not only new friendships and bonds, but also information and tools they need to be UnstoppABLE at home, at work, in their community, and throughout their life.
