The Women Veterans Program at the Texas Veterans Commission
On this episode of The Dog Tag, our host Matt Elledge talks with four amazing Veterans who run the Women Veterans Program at the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC). Women Veterans are a historically underserved segment of our our Veteran population, but this small team of Women Veterans intends to change that here in Texas. Matt and his guests discuss topics including underemployment, homeless Women Veterans, filing VA Disability Claims for military sexual trauma, and much more.
Anna Baker, the Women Veterans Program Manager, served as an interpreter in the U.S. Air Force for four years. Pam Maercklein, the Women Veterans Health Care Advisor, served eight years in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Japan, Germany and Cheyenne, Wyoming. Julie Puzan, the Women Veterans Employment Coordinator, served six years in the U.S. Air Force as a Weapons Loader on the B-2 Bomber. Carrie Sconza, the Women Veterans Outreach Coordinator, served for 20 years in the U.S. Navy Veteran and retired as a Navy Career Counselor.
Stay tuned for future podcasts where we’ll dive deeper into each of these subjects with the Women Veterans Program.
Show Notes:
Meet the Women Veterans Program team. [1:48]
The mission of the Women Veterans Program. [7:09]
Women Veterans and their employment needs. [10:10]
Confidence Outside the Uniform Summer Series. [11:20]
Join the Texas Women Veterans Professional Network. [13:16]
Attend a Virtual Coffee Webinar online. [16:06]
Many women who served don’t realize they’re Veterans. You are a Veteran and your service matters- take the pledge! [18:11]
Disability claims for military sexual trauma. [21:00]
VA health care for Women Veterans. [21:56]
The VA provides maternity care for Women Veterans. [22:33]
The Women Veterans Program partners with other organizations to better serve Women Veterans. [26:29]
Alternative therapies for Women Veterans. [27:20]
Assistance for homeless Women Veterans. [29:40]
Transportation for Veterans in rural areas. [34:56]
Advice for women transitioning out of the military. [38:28]
- Stay tuned for our next podcast, an After-Action Review of podcasts #1 through #9.
- Listen to our previous podcast: How the Texas Veterans Commission Serves Texas Veterans
Helpful Resources:
National Women Veterans of America
Texas Association of Sexual Assault
TVC County Veterans Service Officer Directory
Equine Therapy:
Listen to this podcast on iTunes or SoundCloud.
The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board and the Texas Veterans Commission. Find more episodes at TexasVeteransPodcast.com. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email vlbinfo@glo.texas.gov. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!
