Local Women Veterans of America chapter celebrates first published yearbook

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Some good things came out of 2020, one of which being the recently published Women Veterans of America Chapter 47 Yearbook.

Last year was supposed to be fun and eventful one for the Women Veterans of America organization. A convention was planned for that summer, and many members from WVA Chapter 47 were preparing to attend and meet other women veterans in the city of Clarksville.

Unfortunately, a pandemic ravaged the country; events had to be canceled, plans were changed and people were quarantined at home.

The year was still noteworthy for the local chapter, though, as two members – retired Master Sgt. Jacqueline L. Knight and retired Sgt. Maj. Celestine McNeal – created a yearbook full of women veteran stories.

In March 2020, Knight took it upon herself to originate the idea of a published yearbook, which would leave a legacy and capture her story, accomplishments and military photographs, as well as the history and significant events of WVA Chapter 47.

It became a way to bring awareness to the military community and to recruit women veterans to one of the most diverse and active chapters in the United States. The yearbook idea was formulated, and women veterans quickly began turning in their biographies and photographs.

The yearbook was dedicated to the Women Veterans of America organization, Chapter 47 founders, all the women veterans of America – past, present and future – and women who have prevailed through the years despite struggles in the military.

The organization would like to thank all of the women veterans who contributed to the publication, the yearbook committee, those who aided others with monetary contributions, Dorinda Cameron, Bernice Herndon, Knight, McNeal and Rocio Terry for the first published Women Veterans of America Chapter 47 Biography Yearbook.

Those interested can purchase the yearbook at Barnes and Noble and Amazon.

For information on becoming a member of WVA Chapter 47, please reach out to the current commander, Monica Meeks via email at wvach47.clarksville@gmail.com or on the organization’s Facebook page.