CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Montgomery County Veterans Coalition held its monthly meeting April 17, 2019 at Veterans Plaza with guest speaker Mary Ross, former National Commander of Women Veterans of America (WVA) and Executive Board President for the Montgomery County Veteran’s Coalition (MCVC).
After 21 years in the Army, she retired as a Seargent First Class, and continues to serve women veterans in many capacities.
Ms. Ross shared that, of the 420,000 veterans in Tennessee, 48,000 have identified as women, and there are over 7,000 women veterans in the Clarksville-Montgomery County area. She explained that this was the fastest growing subgroup of veterans, and unfortunately, the fastest growing group for homelessness and suicide. Her goal is to create an awareness and give voice to women veterans who feel invisible.
Ross asked those who work with veterans to ask female clientele and the wives of veterans if they served in the military.
“Don’t ask if they’re a veteran,” she said, because often, she explained, they don’t believe they meet the criteria to be defined as such. “If you know a woman veteran, ask her if she’s registered for the VA healthcare system.”
The Women Veterans of America is a non-profit veterans service organization open to all women who honorably served during any era, in any branch of the armed forces, and those currently serving. The WVA encourages advocacy for women who have served and are actively serving to ensure the best care and that equal access to care is provided. The WVA Chapter 47 meets the first Tuesday of every month, typically at the Clarksville-Montgomery County Library, and all are welcome.
Please visit them on Facebook or go to www.WVANational.org for more information.
Reliant Reality was present to announce they will be now be hosting an annual fundraiser for Montgomery County Veterans Coalition. More details will be forthcoming.
MCVC will host its next networking event May 23rd at 6 p.m. at TN Valley Brewing Co. This event will focus on retreats available to veterans and their families. RSVP to sherry@vetcoalition.org.
The Veterans Coalition continues to work together for the betterment of the veteran community. MCVC is a 501c3 non-profit and dependent on donations to operate. For more concerning the Coalition, to donate, or to volunteer, contact Coalition Executive Director Mrs. Sherry Pickering (931-801-0700 or sherry@vetcoalition.org).