Symposium Addresses Unique Needs of Women Veterans
Sec. of State Windsor Pays Tribute to Women's "Special Sacrifices"
April 30, 2005
NEW CASTLE, Del. - "You have lived lives that no one else can understand," Secretary of State Harriet Smith Windsor told a group of about 50 women veterans from World War II through the Iraq war who gathered for the First State Women Veterans' Symposium.
Military women are prepared to leave home at a moment's notice for long deployments, "missing out on many of the joys of family life, including big events in your children's lives," the Secretary noted. "I have great respect for the very special sacrifices you have made to your country and to the State of Delaware."
The symposium, held at the Buena Vista State Conference Center in New Castle, was the first of its kind in Delaware. The event was designed to raise awareness of the distinct issues women veterans face and to encourage women to take advantage of the services provided by the federal Veterans' Administration and the Delaware Commission of Veterans' Affairs.
Delaware "is constantly looking at veterans benefits, with the help of the Legislature, to see how we can expand them," said Melanie Bronov, Women Veterans Coordinator at the Commission for Veterans' Affairs. She cited the new veterans' home in Milford as "a big, exciting step" toward helping both men and women. The home, championed by Governor Ruth Ann Minner, will be launched with a groundbreaking ceremony in June.
Many women do not register for veterans' services because they think the services are only for male veterans or for those who have been wounded in combat. In fact, Delaware offers a wide range of services to its more than 5,700 women veterans, including women's health care, treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder, job-transition training, and financial counseling. The symposium provided interactive workshops on a range of these topics.
