SUSAN CLOKE
Columnist
Santa Monica Mirror
September 16, 2016
Women
Warriors. Contagious
energy and enthusiasm filled the large 1st floor south room of the
Veteran’s Administration Hospital in West Los Angeles on Friday, September 9. Women veterans from all the armed
services were celebrating being together.
They had come to be part of the “2nd
Annual Women Warrior Freedom Fest.”
The Festival had live music, free hair cuts, and tables loaded with information
about medical benefits, housing connections, educational opportunities and
staff to answer questions and help. Congressman Ted Lieu and State Senator Ben Allen’s representatives
were there with information on how to contact their offices for assistance in getting
their assigned benefits. The Greater
Los Angeles Veterans Administration, HCS Women Veteran Patient Advisory Council
organized the event.
“Never forget both sexes and all people are
equal in God’s sight,” were the words of the Chaplain who opened the Festival. She was followed by a Marine bugler who
played Taps, an a cappella performance of the National Anthem by the singer
Montie, and an emotionally charged Minute of Silence in honor of the fallen men
and women who had died while on active duty.
Most of all they came to have fun, share
information and resources, help each other and to tell their stories.
The oldest veteran was Santa Monican Nancy
Cattell, a WWII veteran and a former Santa Monica College Trustee. The youngest were the veterans now
attending Santa Monica College.
Housing. Blue Butterfly Village, housing for
homeless women veterans is a project of Volunteers of America. They worked with FOCUS (Families
Overcoming Under Stress) to get the village up and running. FOCUS, started a UCLA/NPI had a three
year grant which made it possible for the FOCUS staff to provide support for
the Blue Butterfly Village. The
Village is a success story which will be a model for other villages and FOCUS
will go on to support other projects for women veterans.
“According to the
Department of Housing and Urban Development, there
are more than 4,456 homeless female veterans in the U.S., many of whom have children. They account for 8 percent of the nation's 58,000 homeless vets.”
are more than 4,456 homeless female veterans in the U.S., many of whom have children. They account for 8 percent of the nation's 58,000 homeless vets.”
Healthcare
for blind veterans.
Talking watches and alarm clocks, calendars and thermostats, even a
talking device to tell you the color of the clothes in your closet. These are provided free of charge to
returning veterans who are blind due to combat related trauma and injury
through VIST, a specialty clinic of the VA. In one on one work with rehab specialists Dunia Lara
and Ted Zadourian blind veterans are taught to read using special equipment. The specialists work with patients in
the clinic and make home visits.
The goal is to make it possible for the veterans to lead independent lives.
 |
| Fatma Batuman MD, FACP Director Women's Health Clinic Los Angeles Veteran's Administration |
Healthcare
for women veterans.
A brochure on the table reads, “VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
is Dedicated to Providing the Highest Quality of Care to Every Woman
Veteran.” It might sound too good
to be true. That is until you meet
the Medical Director of the Women’s Health Clinic, Dr. Batuman.
“I stand up for what I believe. I take care of patients as whole
people. I teach values,” said the
dynamic Doctor. “We see 8 – 10
thousand women veterans a year. Patients
who left the VA are coming back because of the quality of care in our
clinic.
“We are a comprehensive women’s clinic providing
primary care, mammograms, gynecology, maternity care, mental health – anything
a women might need. We provide one
stop medical care. We make it as
easy as we can for our veterans.
We hold clinic on Saturdays.”
Art. 2nd
Lieutenant Phyllis Miller, a Navy veteran, is now working as an artist. She was able to attend Design Center
because of her veteran status.
Miller is working on a military project series
where she brings veterans together and uses art as a way for the veterans to be
able to talk about their combat experience. “It’s my way
of helping and giving tribute to their service,”
said Miller.
 |
| Army Veteran Roslyn Battle SMC Faculty John Rogers |
Beauty. John Rogers was one of several teachers
and students from the Santa Monica College School of Cosmetology. They were giving free haircuts as part
of the Woman Warriors Fest. The teachers and students also give free haircuts
at local shelters and to homeless people who come to the School on
Mondays.
Education. Santa Monica College had two tables at
the event. Staff offered special
help to Veterans and were there to explain the career and technical degree
programs, the transfer to 4-year colleges and help with high to enroll at Santa
Monica College.
Throughout the event, the women collected
information and connected with service providers, networked with each other and
enjoyed the music.
Women Warriors Fest organizer and veteran Aretta
Gottke promises another festival next year.
The veterans at the Festival were impressive.
The spirit in the room was high. They
deserve our tribute and our support and the Festival
What say you?
*If you see a vet on the street that needs help
you can contact:
Veteran
Angela Russell who now works for the VA in their Community Engagement
Reintegration Services. An
‘outreach worker’ with special training in helping Veterans who are homeless
and who need help receiving the benefits they are entitled to as veterans.
Homeless
Veteran’s Outreach Team members are on call
24/7 at
1 877 424 3838 / 1 877 4AID VET
