DVS Hosts First Major Event Honoring Women Veterans

NYC DVS
NYC DVS
Jul 28, 2017 · 4 min read

by Aquilla Hines, Communications, NYC Department of Veterans’ Services

On Saturday July 22, 2017, DVS’s own Assistant Commissioner Darlene Brown-Williams, PhD delivered the keynote address at the Pink and White Empowerment Brunch. This event for women veterans and women military members was the first of its kind hosted by DVS in partnership with Women Veterans Interactive. Over 80 attendees received information about programs and services for women veterans, heard from four dynamic panelists, and ate delicious food.

Participants of the Pink and White Empowerment Brunch, July 22, 2017

Women Veterans Interactive is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to serving and supporting women veterans and their families through Advocacy, Empowerment, Interaction, Outreach and Unification. Recognized as experts on Women Veterans issues, the organization’s aim is to eradicate homelessness; improve healthcare and education delivery; and develop a network where there is a free exchange of experiences and solutions that will empower and assist women veterans in living full productive lives. Ginger Miller, President and CEO of Women Veterans Interactive, remarked that, “It was an honor and privilege to bring one of my premier empowerment programs to the women in my home state of New York, and being able to do so in partnership with NYC DVS and the great work that they are doing in support of the VetsThriveNYC initiative, is absolutely a dream come true. I am humbled, yet excited to meet and build relationship with my NYC sisters who have served and sacrificed for our great Nation.”

Dr. Darlene Brown-Williams speaking about mental health resources for women veterans

In line with DVS’s mission to support the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of NYC veterans, Assistant Commissioner Brown-Williams opened the discussion on mental health concerns related to military service. She highlighted the unique health concerns of women veterans, including the increased likelihood of women veterans to have a service-connect disability compared to their male counterparts. She shed light on military sexual trauma, which affects one out of every four women veterans. In light of these statistics, Brown-Williams emphasized the importance of mental health care for transition back to civilian life. Most veterans don’t return home to military bases; they return home to families. Therefore, successful transition back to civilian life should be top priority for service-providers.

“We owe a huge debt to the courageous women veterans who have sacrificed so much to serve our country. And through VetsThriveNYC, we will continue to address their mental health needs and promote wellness,” said First Lady of NYC Chirlane McCray, in response to this event. “We are committed to making sure these women — who are also mothers, wives and sisters — and their families are supported in every way.”

Recognizing the particular mental health concerns of women veterans, DVS strives to eliminate the stigma of seeking mental health care. “And reaching out for help can be hard, especially for women veterans who pride themselves on being strong,” said Brown-Williams. “To them, I want you to hear me clearly: getting help IS a sign of strength. Asking for help IS a sign of strength.” DVS empowers veterans and their families with the resources necessary to receive proper care through the VetsThriveNYC Whole Health Model. This holistic model of health and wellness is one of DVS’ main lines of actions. By integrating culture, connection, community and clinical treatment, DVS promotes comprehensive services to ensure that veterans have the support they need and deserve.

DVS whole health model: VetsThriveNYC

Panelists at the Pink and White Empowerment Brunch included Army veterans Ayanna Ahmand, Honey Airborne, Jenny Pacanowski, and military caregiver Auressa Simmons. These women shared their diverse experiences and answered questions related to mental health awareness and women veterans. Each panelist identified disparities in the care women veterans receive in terms of accessibility and comprehensiveness. They emphasized taking back the mental health discussion by identifying health concerns before transitioning to veteran status and increasing responsiveness of the existing mental health systems that support women veterans.

Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams spoke in support of women veterans, saying, “Our women veterans have sacrificed everything to serve their country and protect our freedoms. I commend the DVS Commissioner Sutton and Women Veterans Interactive for highlighting the needs and aspirations of women veterans. It is our responsibility as New Yorkers to ensure they are protected and cared for when they come home to Brooklyn, including receiving the educational opportunities, health care, and housing they have earned.”

Women make up almost 15% of the US armed forces, and there are over 2 million women veterans across the country. By 2035, women are projected to account for approximately 15% of all living veterans. Women veterans are civic assets: they are active in their communities and earn more money, on average, than their civilian counterparts. Accordingly, it is crucial that they be effectively reintegrated into society, and become fully functioning, thriving citizens. We can achieve this goal by continuing to open up the dialogue on mental health and including the community in veteran experiences.

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