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Mailing List | Woman Veteran of the Year | Clinics | Conference
Coordinating Committee | Wisconsin Organizations | Links | Books
Wisconsin Women Veterans Newsletter
VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans - 2008 Report

From the founding of our nation, women have protected America's freedom and will continue to do so in ever increasing numbers. Women veterans remain historically under-represented in using available benefits and may be more reluctant than their male counterparts to embrace their status as veterans.

To address the needs of women veterans in our state, the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) remains committed to:

• Provide advocacy for women veterans;
• Encourage and support recognition of women veterans' contributions to Wisconsin and the nation;
• Provide outreach for women veterans' programs and issues;
• Unite Wisconsin women veterans so their voices may be heard.

WDVA often hosts and participates in events related to women veterans. See the WDVA Current Events webpage for upcoming events of interest.

Register for Mailing List

To provide information about benefits and other pertinent issues, the WDVA requests that women veterans complete a form so they can be added to a mailing list. Click here for a copy of the form. (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print this form. Adobe Acrobat Reader can be downloaded at no cost from Adobe.)

Woman Veteran of the Year

The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) will recognize one woman veteran each year at the Women Veterans Conference. The Woman Veteran of the Year Award recognizes women veterans who have compiled a record of exemplary service as a military service member, a veteran, and outstanding member of the community. Informational brochure and nomination form WDVA B0218.

2011 Woman Veteran of the Year – Holly Hoppe, Oconto Holly enlisted in 1971 to the United States Air Force. Holly was one of the first security Police Female Augmentees who worked at the Pentagon, debriefing prisoners of wars upon their release from Hanoi. Holly was assigned to HQ AF Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) starting a 20 year adventure with tours in Greece, Italy, Germany, Spain, Korea, and Saudi Arabia. Holly volunteered at the 1988 Olympics in Korea. Holly participated in sports during her AF career including basketball, softball and volleyball. She won numerous awards to include the prestigious European Bowling Champion. After the military, Holly started out as a clerk, then administrative assistant for the Brown County Veterans Service Office. In 2000 she was hired as the County Veterans Service Officer.

Past Award Recipients Holly Hoppe Oconto 2011 Information Jessica Maple Mosinee 2010 Information Marjorie Marshman Madison 2009 Information Connie Allord Madison 2008 Information

Women Veterans' Clinics

The following VA medical centers serving Wisconsin veterans have women veterans' clinics. Ask for the Women's Health Clinic when you call.

Women Veterans Conference

The 2011 Women Veterans Conference was held at Ft. McCoy, September 23-25, 2011. View the conference agenda and check back for future updates with conference photos.

The 2010 Women Veterans Conference was a success with a total of 158 attendees and presenters. It was great to see so many new faces at this conference. Below are links to pictures that were taken by John & Cheryl Adams. We hope to see all of you and more women veterans at the 2011 conference.

2010 Reception Photos | 2010 Conference Photos

Women Veterans' Coordinating Committee

The Women Veterans' Coordinating Committee identifies the needs of women veterans in Wisconsin. The committee seeks the best ways to contact current women service members and veterans to determine their needs such as health care, mental health care, veterans benefits, and economic success along with outreach work to inform of available benefits and resources.

The committee holds the Annual Women Veterans Conference with committee members participating in:

• Creating a Conference theme
• Scheduling speakers
• Scheduling workshops
• Fund raising for reception and conference expenses
• Seeking alternatives to a conference location besides Ft. McCoy
• Obtaining door prizes and donations
• Creating an Evaluation form
• Set up and staffing conference
• Selecting Woman Veteran of the Year winner

The WDVA Women Veterans Coordinator is the chair of the committee. The committee members are:

• Amy Childers
• Miranda Cross-Schindler
• Tegan Griffith
• Ellen Healey
• Angela Joseph-Gaffke
• Nicole Lillis
• Joane Mathews
• Nora Meissner
• Carolyn Morgan
• Julie Murray
• Connie Schauer
• Deborah Severson
• Vacant

Members serve two year terms which can be renewed twice or a total of six years. Members serve voluntarily with no reimbursement for mileage, meals, or lodging (if needed). If you would like to share the experiences and benefits of being a committee member look for nomination information on this page in November and December bi-annually in even numbered years.

Women Veterans' Organizations in Wisconsin

American Legion — Green Bay Women's Post #539
Meetings held in Green Bay
Membership Contact:
Lori Bellow
1080 Elmore St.
Green Bay, WI  54303
(920) 592-0269

American Legion — Milwaukee Women's Post #448
Meetings held in Milwaukee
Membership Contact:
Post Phone number: (414) 376-4718
Gwen Sheppard ext. 1292882
Lisa Phillips ext. 1292885
P.O. Box 371311
Milwaukee, WI  53237

American Legion — Nurses Post #408
Meetings held in Milwaukee
Membership Contact:
H. Virginia Czlok
4859 Sterling Dr.
Greendale, WI  53129
(414) 421-7458

United Women Veterans
Meetings held in Madison
Membership Contact:
Elizabeth Benn
163 Amber Trail
Sun Prairie, WI  53590
(608) 235-3901

Waves National — Badger Unit #39
Meetings held in New Berlin/Milwaukee
Membership Contact:
J. Claire Krolick
13705 W. National Ave. #228
Milwaukee WI  54911
(262) 782-6215

Waves National — Fox Cities Unit #153
Meetings held in Appleton
Membership Contact:
Maureen Radtke, President
1125 W. Main St. #43
Appleton, WI  54911
(920) 731-7435

Women Marines Association
Meetings held spring and fall at different locations in Wisconsin
President:
Linda O'Hara
10214 W Schlinger Ave.
West Allis, WI  53214
(414) 258-7349
Membership Contact:
Linda Dancker
1137 E. Vienna Ave., Milwaukee, WI  53212
(414) 962-1660

Women Veterans Links

Here are some Internet links of interest to women veterans. These links offer the latest news articles or information for women veterans and usually contain links to other sites that offer additional information.

• Life in the Army Nurse Corps
• National Association of State Women Veteran Coordinators
• Royal Neighbors of America Heroes at Home Women Veterans Scholarship Program
• U.S. Army Women's Foundation Legacy Scholarships
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Center for Women Veterans
• U.S. Military Women Resource Guide
• Wisconsin Veterans Museum Cyberexhibit "This is my war, too"
• "Women in Boots Marching Home" brochure by Wisconsin Women's Network
• Women in Military Service for America Memorial (WIMSA)

Books

We have comprised the following lists of books for your information and if you are interested in getting a copy, the books may be available at your local bookstores or on the Internet:

Band of Sister— American Women at War in Iraq. Kirsten Holmsteadt, presents twelve amazing stories of American women in the frontlines, including America's first female pilot to be shot down and survive, and more.

Bedpan Commando. June Wandrey, a combat nurse during World War II, tells her story of service in a field hospital, relating her despair and sadness as she cares for and comforts the wounded and dying.

Desert Storm Journal: A Nurse's Story. Elizabeth Kassner was deployed to Saudi Arabia with the 31st Combat Support Hospital. She gives a first-hand account of her experiences on the Kuwait border.

Leaving the Military — Your Deployment Guide to Corporate America. Marcea Weiss, an Army Veteran, wrote the book giving transitional advice to veterans looking to establish careers in corporate America. At this time the book is only available at www.leavingthemilitary.com.

Memories of the Civil War. Clarissa Hobbs shares her extraordinary adventures as a nurse who served with her husband in the Union Army.

My Mother's Fort:  A Photographic Tribute to Fort Des Moines, First Home of the Women's Army Corps. Penelope A. Blake, Ph.D, tells the story of Carrie Jones LeFew, told against the backdrop of the fort she loved. Featuring over 200 rare photographs, this book offers the only comprehensive history and photographic documentation of Fort Des Moines from its earliest cavalry days to its current renovation.

Powder:  Writing by Women in the Ranks, from Vietnam to Iraq. Some 350,000 women serve in active or reserve duty, but their stories are rarely told. In this new book nineteen women veterans have written poems and essays about their heroic, and sometimes brutal service. Edited by Lisa Bowden and Shannon Cain.

Side-By-Side:  A Photographic History of American Women in War. Prize-winning photographer Vickie Lewis' book traces the history of women's service in images. Military Women's Press is the proud co-publisher of Side-By-Side with Stewart, Tabori & Chang of New York, noted art book publishers. With 50 color images and 100 duotone photographs—many from the Memorial's archives—Side-By-Side is a superb addition to any library. It's also the perfect gift from or for any woman who has ever served.

The Girls Come Marching Home. Kirsten Holmstedt tackles many controversial issues head-on. Capturing women's unique voices to speak about themselves and their experiences. Even as the Iraq War dies down, these stories will resonate for years to come.

Visions of War, Dreams of Peace:  Writings of Women in the Vietnam War. Edited by Lynda Van Devanter and Joan A. Furey.

Warrior in White. Lucy Jopling tells the story of her service in Bataan and Corregidor as an Army flight nurse in the Pacific. She also reveals the challenges of post-war life as the wife of an ex-POW.

Women Go to War. Delores Spratley documents her 20 years in the Army, beginning with her induction, traveling to Africa, Europe and home again.

For More Information

For questions or to obtain or share information on women veterans' issues email WomenVets or call toll-free at 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387)