Overview | Summary of Proposals | Pictures

The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Center for Women Veterans sponsored a National Summit on Women Veterans Issues, Summit 2000, on June 23, 24 and 25, 2000, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. The Summit was co-sponsored by the White House Office for Women’s Initiatives and Outreach and the Disabled American Veterans.

Over 350 individuals attended the Summit including Federal agency representatives, VA Women Veterans Coordinators, community partners and women veterans from across the country. The Summit began with the presentation of the Colors by the Military District of Washington and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Sarah McClendon. Ms. McClendon, a World War II veteran, is a well-known journalist and author of the book “Mr. President”, a memoir of her years as a White House Correspondent. The Chief of VA’s Chaplain Service, Reverend Jeni Cook gave the invocation. Deputy Secretary, Hershel Gober, was the Keynote Speaker and provided attendees clear assurances that VA is committed to women veterans and guaranteed their place in the national VA agenda for health care and the delivery of benefits.

The Summit’s morning sessions provided participants an opportunity to hear about the current status of Federal Programs for veterans from Mr. Joseph Thompson, VA’s Under Secretary for Benefits; Mr. Richard Walker, Acting Under Secretary for National Cemetery Administration; Dr. Frances M. Murphy, Acting Deputy Under Secretary for Health; and Dr. Al Borrego, Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training at the Department of Labor.

In the afternoon, Vice Admiral Patricia Tracey, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Personnel Policy, Department of Defense; Dr. Wanda Jones, Director of the Office on Women’s Health at the Department of Health and Human Services; Ms. Lauren Supina, Director, The White House Office for Women’s Initiatives and Outreach; Captain Barbara Brehm, USN, Military Director, Defense Advisory Committee on Women In The Service; and Ms. Joan Furey, Director of VA’s Center for Women Veterans discussed the work of their respective organizations.

In addition to the plenary sessions, participants attended concurrent sessions on a variety of topics of concern to women veterans including Homelessness, The Impact of War Zone Service on Women Veterans, the Legislative Process,

the Role of Veterans Service Organizations and VA’s healthcare delivery and benefits programs.

Community advocacy groups such as Vietnam Veterans of San Diego, New York's Project Return, Federal legislative staff members, experts on labor and employment and veterans service organizations shared ideas and discussed their roles in improving services for veterans.

Following the concurrent sessions participants met in working groups with agency officials, veteran service organization leaders and other program representatives to discuss issues of concern to the women veteran community and develop suggestions to address and improve services and programs for women veterans.

In addition to the formal Summit activities, a special Reception for Summit 2000 participants was held at the Women in Military Service to America Memorial (WIMSA). Additionally, Former Chairs of the VA Women Veterans’ Advisory Committee were honored at a luncheon sponsored by the Disabled American Veterans. Brigadier General Wilma Vaught, USAF (Ret.), President of WMSA, was the Keynote Speaker at the luncheon.

In September 1996, the Center for Women Veterans, in collaboration with the White House Office on Women’s Initiatives and AMVETS, sponsored the first National Summit on Women Veterans’ Issues. That Summit was held at the White House Conference Center in Washington, DC. The 1996 Summit was the first time a group of women veterans’ advocates were brought together to identify concerns of the women veteran community and provided an opportunity to suggest ways in which their concerns could be addressed. The 1996 Summit Proceedings are available on the Internet at: http://www.va.gov/womenvet/

THE PRESIDENT:

Warm greetings to all those gathered for “Summit 2000: A National Summit on Women Veterans Issues,” sponsored by the Department of Veterans Affairs. I am pleased that the White House Office for Women’s Initiatives and Outreach and the Disabled American Veterans are serving as co-sponsors. Since the first days of our independence, brave Americans have stepped forward to protect our country and promote our ideals. And throughout our history, women have played a vital role in the success of U.S. military operations. From tending fallen soldiers on the battlefields of the Revolutionary War to fighting shoulder to shoulder in the Persians Gulf, our nation’s women veterans have a long and proud record of service. Their valor and their sacrifices deserve our recognition and our sincerest appreciation.

As participants of Summit 2000, you can be proud of your commitment to ensuring that America’s women veterans receive the recognition they deserve and that their comers and voices are heard. I am proud to salute you and all our nation’s veterans who have preserved for our nation the blessings of the freedoms we hold so dear. Best wishes for a productive summit. William J. Clinton, President of the United States

Dear Friends: I am pleased to have this opportunity to send greetings to everyone participating in Summit 2000: A National Summit on Women Veterans Issues. While I regret that I am unable to join you on this important gathering, I want to extend my best wishes for a successful and productive meeting.

On this special occasion, I would like to thank all of you for your tireless efforts and outstanding dedication to address the needs and concerns facing women veterans. I assure you that I remain committed to addressing issues such as healthcare, homelessness, improved benefits and employment for all Americans, particular those women who have served our country with the utmost patriotism and courage.

Throughout our nation’s history, women have played a significant role in the defense of our country. Our commitment and obligation to America’s veterans never should be taken lightly. No one is more deserving of our recognition, our deepest thanks, and our support. Our nation is strong, secure, and free because of them. As a veteran myself, I am especially pleased to offer you warmest hopes for your continued success in the years to come. Sincerely, Al Gore, Vice President of the United States

THE SECRETARY FOR VETERANS AFFARIS:

Perhaps the biggest challenge the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) faces today is the growth in the number of women Veterans in our society. To meet this challenge, we at VA have recognized that we must place a significant focus, not only on the concerns that male and female veterans share, but also on those that are unique to women who have served our Nation in uniform.

Women veterans, like their male counterparts, have served this country well. They, too, are entitled to high-quality healthcare and equitable access to benefits and programs that are responsive to their gender-specific needs. Several years ago VA began a far-reaching effort to improve serves to women veterans. Our Veterans Health Administration has designated women’s health as a special emphasis program and has developed and implemented specialized women veterans’ health care programs. Our Veterans Benefits Administration has established a women veterans’ advisory group within the Compensation and Pension Service to review policy and procedures regarding benefits delivery to women veterans. I strongly support theses programs and am fully committed to maintaining women veterans’ programs as a special emphasis program in VA.

While progress has bee made, more needs to be done. Your participation in Summit 2000: A National Summit on Women Veterans Issues will help to ensure VA’s programs are designed to assist the women and men who served our Nation so well while in uniform. Thank you for taking the time to attend and for your willingness to assist us in this important task. Mr. Togo D. West, Secretary for Veterans Affairs

On behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs, I want to welcome you to Summit 2000: A National Summit on Women Veterans Issues. This is the second VA-sponsored Summit on Women Veterans’ Issues since the establishment of the Center for Women Veterans in 1994.

The first Summit was held in September 1996 and was co-sponsored by the White House Office for Women’s Initiatives and Outreach and the American Veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam (AMVETS). This year’s Summit is co-sponsored by the White House Office for Women’s Initiatives and Outreach and the Disabled American Veterans. The first Summit was organized to provide an opportunity for veteran service providers, federal and state agency representatives, women veteran activists, and other individuals concerned about women veterans to come together to discuss the issues and concerns of the women veteran community and identify ways to address them. The 1996 Summit Proceedings were widely distributed among organizations and individuals interested in improving services for women veterans by both government and community agencies.

Many changes have occurred since the 1996 Summit. The role of women in the military is changing rapidly. Initially recruited as nurses during World War I, women comprised less than 1 percent of the active duty force. Currently, women make up 14 percent of the active duty force and in 1998, recruiting rates for women were at 20 percent. Today, women are serving in all branches of the military and are eligible for assignment in most military occupational specialties. Statistical projections indicate that by the year 2010, women will comprise well over 10 percent of the veteran population, a significant increase over the current 4 percent figure.

Over the last few years, we have begun to recognize that both the services required of these women on active duty and the issues they face as they return to civilian life are different from those of male veterans. The changing demographics of the veteran population will have a significant impact on all agencies and organizations providing services to veterans. The Center for Women Veterans is committed to assuring that the services women veterans require will be there for them when they are needed! It is hoped that the Proceedings and Proposals of Summit 2000 also will be read and reviewed by individuals in positions to develop and propose legislative, programmatic changes, outreach, and other initiatives to further improve the activities already underway to enhance services to the women veterans' community.

Those of us involved in developing services for veterans have become increasingly aware that we are existing in an era of increased fiscal constraints and responsibilities. While we individually confront this reality, it is essential that we continue to collaborate to maximize our resources. Now are the times for federal, state, community, and other interested organizations to join together and work together. As the 1996 Summit was considered a springboard for collaborative activities, it is hoped that this, Summit 2000, will be remembered as a doorway into the new millennium for women veterans.

Tremendous progress has been made in improving services for women veterans, but more needs to be done. Together we must evaluate where we are, where we need to go, and how we would like to get there. It is our hope that as we enter the 21^st Century, women who have served their country will be able to better access the services we provide with comfort and ease, secure in the knowledge that the Nation is grateful for their service and sacrifice. Joan A. Furey

Key Note Address

Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs

I’m pleased to open this conference. I have strong, positive feelings about women veterans’ issues. The goal of this forum is clear --- Gender-specific and gender-sensitive care for the women veterans who served this nation.

This meeting is the second collaboration of The White House Office on Women’s Initiatives and Outreach, and The Department of Veterans Affairs. This year The Disabled American Veterans has joined us to work as “architects of change” for America’s women veterans. Our partnership will help set the course for the future. The work done here will echo in the programs available to women veterans far into the future.

This second national “Summit” is three times as large as “Summit 96,” just four years ago. The work started then has brought about improved services to women veterans. Many of you here are due much of the credit! One of the proud chapters in women’s history is in the military.

The tradition of women serving in America’s defense goes back to our earliest colonial days. The Revolutionary War saw women as: nurses, scouts, messengers, and in battle … taking over for their fallen husbands … or even disguised as men! Since then, women have come a long way. They traveled a hard, uphill road in their pursuit of equal rights. The 20^th century was an extraordinary time for women in which great social and legal strides were made; attitudes changed and opportunities multiplied. Today, 15 percent of America’s active duty force are women and this number will increase in the coming years. Women comprise 20 percent of new recruits – (except in the Marine Corps.) All military occupational specialties are now open to women –– except combat arms and submarine service.

In war and in peace, women have a proud record of service. In the past decade alone, tens of thousands of women served under hostile conditions. In the Gulf War, almost 50,000 women were deployed; more than 1,000 participated in military operations in Somalia, and more than 1,200 women were sent to Haiti for peace-keeping duties. Women in the military continue to distinguish themselves around the world, notably as part of the allied force in Kosovo. There are some 1.2 million women veterans. That is 4% of the veteran population. In ten years or by 2010, 10 percent of America’s veterans will be women.

Our responsibilities toward women veterans have broadened and so has our focus. VA is targeting programs to meet the: physical, emotional, mental, and social needs of women. VA’s Center for Women Veterans is committed to ensuring that the services women veterans require will be there. Under Joan Furey’s direction, VA is sensitizing our extended “veterans family” to the contributions made by women in the military…And to their unique problems when they return to civilian life we have: created equal programs with equal access, taken steps to ensure that gender-specific medical care is available at VA facilities, accomplished this while promoting sensitivity, understanding, and respect for women who served. VA now has some 100 women’s clinics across the nation and eight comprehensive women’s health centers that are strategically located and provide a full range of medical, surgical, and psychological care. We’ve set-up a Women’s Division at VA’s National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Boston. It’s the first unit of its kind in the country to research the trauma-related problems of women veterans. We have established: four stress-disorder treatment centers (Boston, New Orleans, Loma Linda, and Cleveland), health-care and sexual trauma counseling at VA medical centers and veterans centers; and readjustment counseling is available for women transitioning from military to civilian life. During this administration, the number of women treated by VA has increased 64 percent. One issue of special concern is women veterans who are homeless. Of the nation’s quarter-million homeless veterans, about 10,000 are women. We must be more aggressive in bringing them VA services, benefits, and expertise. We have a new initiative to reach out to them. Starting this year, pilot programs in eleven major cities will fund “hands-on” teams to go directly into local area shelters. These teams will seek out women veterans and those with children. These programs will offer help through: health care and mental health services; benefit claims; housing and job training; and counseling referrals. There is more that needs to be done for women veterans. women have been there in our country’s times of need … and we must be there to help in theirs.

It’s important that the Nation remembers the sacrifices of all veterans, and treat them accordingly. Not just in health care and benefits … but also across all the issues you are addressing this week. Research; Sexual harassment; Violence against women; and Transition and employment. They have been neglected for too long! I am proud of VA’s progress in providing care for women veterans. We have made and will continue to make dramatic improvements in our services to women. Problems remain … But solutions can and will be found. You, the conferees of “Summit 2000”are the voice leading us to tomorrow’s policies and programs for women veterans. Your strength of purpose will carry out America’s promise to provide the best possible services to veterans, men and women alike. With your help, I’m here today to pledge that VA remains unswerving in keeping the full measure of that promise. Thank you, Hershal W. Gober, Deputy Secretary for the Department of Veterans Affairs

Invocation:

Almighty and All Loving God - You have created all of humanity – both male and female – to reflect equally your image. . . and you have called each one of us to grow in your likeness. That is part of what we hope to do during this National Summit on Women Veterans Issues. Grant that we may grow in your likeness – and fulfill the potential you have given to each of us. We hope that you will bless our speakers with your wisdom, truth and understanding of the needs of women veterans. We hope that you will bless our facilitators with insight, discernment and grace. Bless this process itself, and guide the outcomes, we pray. And most of all, we hope that you will bless each veteran who participates in this summit. Bless her with the assurance that her needs are not forgotten, not by the organizations that have sponsored this event, not by her country that appreciates her service and sacrifices, and surely, not by You, Our Loving God, who also know the meaning of sacrifice. Thank you, God, for the opportunity to meet with others who share our concerns and understand our issues. May Your Spirit be present here, making this a “safe” place to offer and receive support, a “safe” place to speak and be heard. At this very moment, and in this very setting, women veterans are not in the minority. Grant that we may make the most of this opportunity and that the outcome of this conference will have a lasting and significantly positive impact on services provided for these, and other women veterans, for years and years to come. AMEN. Presented by: Reverend Jeni Cook, Department of Veterans Affairs Chaplain Service

Key Issues

Summit participants met in seven work groups to focus on specific issues that affect women veterans and women who are currently serving in the military. Each Summit attendee selected their perspective work group assignment during the pre- registration process. The following represents an overview of the key issues addressed by the individual work groups. Each work group identified issues and suggested proposals to address the various topics under discussion. These groups discussed issues in the areas of:

There were six areas of general concern identified by the Summit 2000 attendees that transcended all levels of discussion including, women veterans concerns, entitlement programs, healthcare services and other areas of interest. Some issues or concerns were unique to specific populations and others were identified as affecting more than one group. These included the need to:

Enhance Communication

Improve, Implement and Monitor Outreach

Encourage Collaboration & Increase Individual and Community Involvement

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