06/07/2025
I hope someday there are no reasons left to have Women Veterans Day, but that day is not today.
I have seen and heard rude comments about this event, by men who don’t understand the “why”.
So let me share a little about the “why”.
đź’ś Why We Need Women Veterans Day
1. Women veterans are often mistaken as spouses, not service members.
Despite their service, many women are asked, “Was your husband in the military?” or “Who did you serve with?” — never assuming they were the veteran.
2. The public still doesn’t fully recognize that women serve in combat roles.
Many people still believe women don’t see combat, even though thousands have — and some have died in the line of duty.
3. Women veterans are underrepresented in VA research and healthcare design.
The VA was built around the needs of male veterans. Female-specific care, including gynecological and reproductive services, was not prioritized for decades and is still catching up.
4. Military sexual trauma (MST) disproportionately affects women.
1 in 3 women veterans report experiencing MST, yet many are re-traumatized or dismissed when seeking help.
5. Homelessness among women veterans is rising.
Many women veterans face unique barriers to housing, including being single mothers or dealing with trauma and invisible injuries that go untreated.
6. Women veterans are often excluded from veteran-focused events and imagery.
They are left out of advertising, campaign materials, and public displays — visually reinforcing that “veteran” means male.
7. They are less likely to self-identify as veterans.
Due to years of being dismissed or invisible, many women who served don’t claim the veteran identity, which keeps them from receiving benefits and community support.
8. VA facilities often lack basic accommodations for women.
This includes things like separate changing areas, female-specific medical equipment, and women-friendly environments.
9. Their transition out of service is often more isolating.
Many women veterans don’t find the same camaraderie in existing veteran networks, which are often male-dominated and unwelcoming.
10. They are less likely to access VA benefits.
Because of misinformation or being overlooked, many women never receive the education, housing, medical, or financial support they’ve earned.
11. Women veterans face unique mental health challenges.
Their needs are shaped by gender-specific experiences, such as balancing motherhood with service, military sexual trauma, or being “the only woman” in a unit.
12. They make enormous sacrifices that are rarely acknowledged.
They’ve left children behind during deployments, endured harassment, and broken barriers — often in silence.
13. History has erased their contributions.
Women have served since the Revolutionary War, but their stories are rarely included in textbooks, films, or memorials.
14. Women of color in the military face intersectional discrimination.
They often deal with racism and sexism, both in service and afterward, leading to additional barriers in civilian life.
15. They face hiring and advancement barriers post-service.
Many employers don’t understand their military experience or overlook their leadership skills, assuming they were in support roles.
16. They’re more likely to be caregivers upon return.
Many women veterans take on caretaking for wounded spouses, aging parents, or children — often without support.
17. They’re often judged more harshly for service-related trauma.
Behavior tied to PTSD or stress may be mischaracterized as emotional instability, rather than an understandable response to military experiences.
18. There is no national holiday focused solely on women veterans.
They are part of Memorial Day and Veterans Day, but often sidelined. A dedicated day ensures their voices are centered.
19. Women veterans need a place to connect with each other.
A day of recognition allows for peer support, healing, and the creation of networks where they are truly seen and heard.
20. They helped shape — and are still shaping — the military.
Women have served with honor in every conflict, shattered glass ceilings, and led with strength — all while being told they didn’t belong.
21. Recognizing women veterans can inspire the next generation.
When girls see female veterans honored, it helps them believe in their own power to lead and serve.
22. Women Veterans Day is a powerful corrective to silence.
It says: We see you. We honor you. Your service matters.
Celebrating Women Veterans Day not only helps create awareness and education for the public, it help connect women with the support and services they earned to improve their quality of life.
If you are a women who has served in the United States armed forces, you deserve to own the title of veteran. Connect with your tribe in the Abilene area with our Facebook group, Women Veterans of West Texas (Abilene to Amarillo to El Paso).
