Women Veterans Advisory Committee Holds First Statewide Women Veteran’s Conference in Tacoma, WA Sept. 12, 2009

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) Women Veterans Advisory Committee is asking women veterans to register today for the free “Celebrating Women Veterans Legacy of Service Summit”, Saturday, September 12th from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, in Tacoma, WA. 

“With more and more women in the military it is absolutely essential that we connect with them and help them access benefits and services they earned,” WDVA Deputy Director Lourdes “Alfie” Alvarado-Ramos said.  “All too often I meet women who don’t think they’re veterans for one reason or another.  Our message is simple, if you served your country honorably, you are a veteran and we are here to serve you.”

Topics to be covered include:  Physical Health & Wellness; Financial skills; Careers & Networking; Employment; and Veterans Benefits.  There is no registration fee; however, pre-registration is required.  You can register by going to the website listed below and completing the on-line registration form.

This free conference will provide women veterans with comprehensive information regarding opportunities and challenges women veterans face today, information on benefits and services they might be entitled to the opportunity to renew old acquaintances and make new ones.

The role of the WDVA Women Veterans Advisory Committee is to locate, identify, and assess the needs of Washington women veterans, provide information to meet the needs of women veterans to include benefits, entitlements, education, employment, and training, through a referral and follow-up process; recommend and plan events, which enhance a positive image of women veterans and coordinate and monitor efforts to accomplish the above goals.

The Committee is proud to be a catalyst for this unique conference designed to ensure women veterans are provided with ALL resources to which they are entitled.  By holding this conference, the committee hopes that more women veterans will learn about their rights and benefits, as well as become more familiar with the many programs offered throughout the state.  The goal is to provide them with the tools they need to succeed and thrive in a challenging economy.

The Committee is also inviting participation by local sponsors and businesses.  There will be information booths and an opportunity for businesses to provide sponsorship at several levels, including direct financial support through donations, booth sponsorship, and in-kind donations. 

For more information or to sign up for the conference, you may also contact: 

Liza Narciso
Assistant to the Deputy Director
WA Department of Veterans Affairs
360-725-2157

Find out more about the conference at http://www.dva.wa.gov/women_vets.html