U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs CWV – News Update

Get the Recruitment & Retention, Employment & Integration, Well Being & Treatment, Servicwomen in the News, Women Veterans, and Upcoming Events DACOWITS news from September 2021. [From DACOWITS]

Army and Air Force Veteran Fannie Griffin McClendon is a centenarian and was part of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. The only all-female, all-black battalion to serve overseas during World War II. Even as a centenarian, McClendon remembered stories from her days in the military like the back of her hand. [From VAntage Point]

Tai Chi is a mind-body exercise combining slow-flowing intentional movements with breathing, awareness and visualization. Rooted in the Asian traditions of martial arts, Chinese medicine and philosophy, Tai Chi may have benefits for relaxation, energy, focus, posture, balance, strength, flexibility and mood. [From VAntage Point]

The Lakota Women Warriors group is a fusion of their cultural background as strong Native American women and that of their military background. [From South Dakota Public Broadcasting]

A growing body of research is showing that brief psychological treatments designed to combat myths regarding the danger of physical symptoms of anxiety, coupled with repeated exposure to these sensations, can lead to reductions in anxiety sensitivity, according to Ennis. A new VA study finds a strong link between PTSD symptom severity and anxiety sensitivity among female Veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma. [From VAntage Point]

This #OperationSong spotlight is on Veteran Angel Hurlong, who sings about her PTSD and night-time anxiety on “Inside Fight.” Angel Hurlong joined the Coast Guard in order to follow in the footsteps of her father and grandfathers, who all served in the Navy. Hurlong served as a boarding officer with a search and rescue crew and as a storekeeper at the U.S. Coast Guard Finance Center. [From VAntage Point]

VA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD) chartered an employee-led work group on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in VA research, in 2020. The group’s aims are fourfold: to develop a diverse scientific workforce through training and funding opportunities; to stimulate research focused on minority health and health disparities; to promote a culture of inclusion in the workplace; and to promote equity and diversity in scientific activities. In fiscal year 2021, the DEI program received $1 million in funding. [From VAntage Point]

Army Veteran Woodi dealt with pain by taking medication for years until she found an alternative: regular yoga at the Salt Lake City VA. The program is only one of many alternative therapies designed to help Veterans improve their quality of life. Woodi and her yoga instructor, Yael, sat down with us to talk about their experiences. [From VAntage Point]

Some Veterans, spouses, and caregivers can receive a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster shots from VA. In line with recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), only people who have already received a full series of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine at least six months ago have been authorized to receive a Pfizer booster shot. [From VAntage Point]

Don’t miss this event at the Military Women’s Memorial. A special program exploring the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, the fight to repeal it and how it continues to affect those who serve. Register now! [From Military Women’s Memorial]

Oklahoma State University Office of Student Veteran Success provide the means for student veterans to succeed in their next phase of life. Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) visited the OSU department for an informal event, giving students and faculty the chance to talk with the state officers about their concerns, their experiences or their ideas for the future. [From OSU Headlines]

The Center for Women Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Women Veteran Author Book Corner highlights: Dianna Marie Good Sky, Author, U.S. Navy Chief (Ret) and Ojibwe Native. Her book, “Warrior Spirit Rising,” is the inspiring true account of Gene Goodsky, as told through the eyes of his oldest daughter, Dianna. In this stunning tale of Native American perseverance, Good Sky unravels the history of her father, her family, and her people, and the near-death experience that would change their lives forever.

Relationship wellness is very important. If you or your partner are struggling in your relationship contact your local your VA Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) for support. #Veterans #DVAM2021 #RelationshipHealthAndSafety [From VHA Social Work]

With one in eight U.S. women developing invasive breast cancer over the course of their lifetime, it is understandable if you are Concerned about your breast cancer risk. VA offers state-of-the-art, coordinated care including screening mammograms, breast ultrasound and MRI, genetic counseling and testing, cancer diagnosis and treatment and more. Schedule an appointment with your VA provider team to get checked today or call or text the Women Veterans Call Center at 1-855-829-6636 for more information. [From VA Women Veterans Health Care]

Every single woman who served has a story! Read about Women’s Army Corps, Private Bernice Marie Uribe Requenez. She was officially ranked as a private but was given the title of supply sergeant and an armband with sergeant’s stripes, though not the matching wage to go with it. [From The Library of Congress]

When patients living with sickle cell disease face a sickle cell crisis, blood transfusions can make a lifesaving difference. That’s why the American Red Cross has launched an initiative to grow the number of blood donors who are Black to help patients with sickle cell disease, an enduring and often invisible health disparity in the U.S. [From VAntage Point]

“Don’t let people who say negative things such as, ‘you’re a girl.” – Latina, U.S. Army Veteran chooses pro boxing over Olympic fame and here is why? [From Yahoo! Sports]

Women Veterans ROCK On The Hill – The Podcast! is the Award-Winning Podcast for Today’s Women Veterans and Military Families. Visit & today! [From WomenVetsRock.org]

During Hispanic Heritage Month, today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Marlene Rodriguez, who served three tours in Iraq. Marlene Rodriguez grew up in San Bernardino, California. “I wanted to go into the military from a very young age; I’d say like five years old,” she recalled during an interview with Wells Fargo. Rodriguez joined the Army in 2003, when she was 23 years old. [From VAntage Point]

We honor your service, Marlene!