Women Veterans and the Call for Leadership

Since the beginning, women have volunteered their military service. Today, these women have the opportunity to transition into leadership roles. Ones that have the capacity to address and create policies that match the changing roles of women in the military and confront the dangers military women face (if policies aren’t changed).

The increasing number of women serving and their veteran counterparts are facing issues that include, but are not limited to the fact that more women in the military are being raped than injured in combat, that women serving in support of combat units will go without the recognition and training they deserve, and that the alarming percentage of homeless women veterans continues to rise. Whether it’s on a local, state, or federal level, there’s no arguing that the leadership needed is one that best represents and understands the issues.

Several organizations exist that help women advance in this arena, but what about veterans? The first ever nonpartisan and non-ideological organization that’s tailored to train veterans in running for public office is Veterans Campaign. Their goal is to demystify the process of campaigning for public office and encourage more veterans to continue their legacy of public service as elected officials.

Veterans Campaign offers training workshops led by veteran elected officials, policy experts, campaign consultants and members of the media. Topics apply to all levels of campaigning from the local school board to federal office. Veterans Campaign also provides a series of Distinguished Speaker events. They conduct research to educate veterans about campaigning and their website is home to a database of information about veterans in politics.

In “Servicewomen Closing Gender Gap in Politics” Seth Lynn, founder and executive director of Veterans Campaign, expresses how women veterans are well-positioned to become a major force in American politics.

But unlike the women who have struggled to succeed in business, for example, women in the military have no expectation of monetary reward or fame, only the opportunity to serve their country. This selflessness and resolve is exactly what we need more of in our elected officials.

Veterans Campaign will be holding their next training workshop on January 28-29, 2012 at The George Washington University in Washington D.C. Five scholarships varying from discounted rates to full compensation have been reserved exclusively for Women Veterans Connect. For more information, please visit www.veteranscampaign.org and apply for the scholarship. Within the application, indicate Women Veterans Connect as your source and spread the word.