Sierra Hubbard, News Editor
Women Social Veteran Justice held their second annual Women Veterans Reunion and Empowerment Conference at the KSU Center on March 27 and March 28.
The conference stretched over two days and encompassed luncheons with prominent speakers, workshops on topics relevant to women veterans, awards for volunteers and members who were instrumental in the event, and the viewing of a documentary about female veterans returning home.
“Last year was about identifying the women veterans and welcoming them home,” said Teresa Lambert, co-chair of the conference and WSVJ board member. “This year is about coming home, yes, but connecting with other veterans and stepping up.
“Don’t remain stagnate, basically. We encourage that by hosting the workshops and bringing in the caliber of women that we’ve had come in and speak and teach these workshops.”
Lambert stresses the importance of education technology and the power it has to ignore geographical distances.
“For instance, we’re live-streaming our workshops,” she said.
These workshops were comprised of several panelists from all sectors of the work force as well as branches of the military. Topics included navigating the system of VA claims and benefits, civilian and private sector employment, transitions for student veterans, and strategic networking.
“That’s what the conference really is about: giving our veterans the tools they need to accomplish whatever they want to accomplish,” Lambert said. “Whether it’s something as simple as buying a house, and knowing what their benefits are through the VA to accomplish buying a house, to bettering themselves professionally, and maybe even getting an education.”
Richard Sisk, the transition coordinator with KSU’s Military and Veterans’ Services, was a panelist in the student veterans workshop.
“We take the guesswork out of the red tape,” Sisk said, “because there’s a lot of red tape when you’re first applying to a university.”
A veteran himself, Sisk experienced the Veteran Resource Center when he attended KSU. He graduated in 2013 with a Sports Management degree, but he felt that he had found his passion in helping other veterans and wanted to continue doing so.
“Veterans are already stressed,” he said. “They’ve been out of school for so long; now they’re doing something new and all they know is they have benefits and they want to use them.”
He felt that the conference was a success and was a welcome sight.
“When people say ‘veteran’ they don’t typically think someone’s mom or someone’s sister. They usually think of someone’s older brother or someone’s dad.
“I think a conference like this brings that to the forefront and is making people aware that there are female veterans, too.”
The keynote speaker during the luncheon was Dr. Linda Spoonster Schwartz, the assistant secretary for Policy and Planning. Schwartz served as a nurse in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1986. During her speech, she gave her perspective on veterans’ affairs and how they have changed since she was in the military.
“Every time I see people in uniform walking down the street, I feel like that’s a victory for what we went through,” she said, remembering when such an act was frowned upon, “and that America will not turn its back again on the people who wore the uniform.”
Schwartz also sees promise in the fact that the conference was held at the university.
“I think it’s wonderful that it’s sponsored here and you have it on campus, because it also says something very important about your campus. It says the welcome mat is out for veterans and military, and in this day and age, that’s a powerful message.”
Senator Johnny Isakson, chairman for the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, sent two representatives from his office to the conference in his stead.
“Maybe ten years ago there wouldn’t have been as much attention on some of these issues that are very important,” said Nancy Brooks, who has worked with Isakson for 17 years. “And that they managed to get such a powerful keynote speaker as Linda Spoonster Schwartz, who is a key person in Policy and Planning, shows an importance and relevance as well.”
They also read a letter from the senator that included his five priorities now that he is the chairman of this committee, which includes working to eradicate veteran homelessness and to protect both male and female victims of military sexual trauma.
“He is making a real point as chairman for accountability and to address things that people have long been uncomfortable addressing,” Brooks said.
Sheila Robinson, also a veteran, is the constituent services representative for Senator Isakson’s office. She is the caseworker who handles all individual veterans’ affairs and military issues.
“Because he [Isakson] is a veteran, an air-force veteran himself, this is something that is very near and dear to his heart,” Robinson said.
“I think that putting a focus on women veterans is something that has been brewing for quite some time and it’s just awesome to see it come to the forefront now.
That is Women Veteran Social Justice. Great story otherwise.