Since the Revolutionary War, women have played key roles in U.S. military history. More than 20,000 women took part in the Civil War, some openly as nurses, others secretly on the battlefield. By World War I, women were publicly serving in the U.S. military, and in World War II, women enlisted in all military branches.
Today, women are the fastest growing veteran population, with more than 2 million women veterans in the U.S. By 2025, it’s projected that nearly half of those women veterans will have served in the U.S. Army.
As women transition from military to civilian life, they face unique challenges and needs. In honor of Women’s History Month and the service of our women veterans, IHG® Army Hotels is highlighting the work of several organizations created specifically to support women veterans.
Women Veterans Network (WoVeN)
Women veterans share a unique experience. After serving this population in different capacities for years, the current staff of Women Veterans Network (WoVeN) recognized the power of connecting these women and encouraging them to share their stories.
Since 2017, WoVeN has brought together women veterans from all eras and branches. This community helps them support each other and discover resources that can improve their quality of life. Local WoVeN groups might discuss themes such as transitions, stress relief, trust, and balance.
WoVeN provides resources to organizations and mental health services that specifically serve women veterans, while promoting an extensive list of businesses owned by them.
Foundation for Women Warriors is a more than century-old nonprofit “dedicated to honoring and empowering the women veteran community.”
In 1920, the foundation was created to house widows, war nurses, and mothers who lost service members in battle. Today, the organization serves and supports women veterans and their children in their transition from military to civilian life.
Foundation for Women Warriors understands the challenges women veterans face and offers programs that focus on their personal and economic well-being. This includes financial help, childcare assistance, professional development, healthcare resources, housing services, and more.
An essential goods warehouse also collects and distributes household items needed by women veterans facing financial hardship.
First started in 2002 with a focus on healthcare for women veterans, Texas-based Grace After Fire has evolved into an organization that empowers them. Grace After Fire provides information, insight, and self-renewal opportunities “to help women veterans help themselves.”
Table Talk™ Color Me Camo is a peer-to-peer support group offered through Grace After Fire that encourages meaningful conversations between women veterans in local communities. Led by trained women veterans and Grace After Fire staff, this service covers topics such as self-development, relationships, and resources.
Grace After Fire also offers social opportunities, a spring retreat, community resources, and more. The organization aims to “protect the veteran, connect the resource and renew the women.”
By building a strong community of women veterans and supporters, the Women Veterans Alliance (WVA) aims to help this group connect, grow, and thrive.
Founded in 2015, the alliance is a woman-, disabled veteran-owned small business. It focuses on connecting women veterans to professional advancement, career opportunities, and mentorship. WVA also supports and promotes women veteran owned businesses and assists those who are starting or expanding a business.
WVA hosts several annual fundraisers and events. Proceeds from a summer fun run help to connect women veterans and support their education, work, and businesses. The Summer Soiree event in June includes the Beyond the Call of Duty Award that honors exceptional military women. This year’s Unconference in Las Vegas includes several inspiring speakers, activities, pampering events, and more.
On any given day, there are more than 55,000 homeless women veterans in the U.S. Reports show that existing services for homeless veterans favor the needs of men. Started in 2010, Final Salute Inc. is committed to meeting the unique needs of homeless women veterans and their children.
In order to provide safe and sustainable housing for women veterans, Final Salute takes a three-pronged approach: awareness, assistance and aspiration.
First, the organization works to inform Americans that homelessness among women veterans is a growing issue and needs immediate attention. Statistics show that women veterans are 2 to 3 times more likely to be homeless than any other U.S. population. Next, Final Salute works to connect homeless women veterans and those at risk to housing services. Finally, Final Salute stresses that homelessness is temporary and that they will be able to achieve their goals.
Final Salute offers several programs. H.O.M.E. (Housing Outreach Mentorship Encouragement) provides resources like transitional housing, childcare assistance, employment support, food, and more. S.A.F.E. (Savings Assessment and Financial Education) helps to prevent homelessness by focusing on financial education and resources. Next Uniform assists women veterans searching for employment by providing resources like business clothes and professional photos.
The organization also hosts Ms. Veteran America, a unique event that celebrates the “woman behind the uniform.” Women veterans compete in several pageant-style activities for the title of Ms. Veteran America, bringing awareness to women veteran homelessness and raising funds for Final Salute.
As part of the U.S. Department for Veterans Affairs, the Center for Women Veterans coordinates healthcare, benefits, and programs specifically geared to the needs of women veterans. Established in 1994, the center works to support women service members and veterans and recognize their contributions.
In addition to services and benefits provided to all U.S. military veterans, the Center for Women Veterans focuses on mental health services, opportunities, and resources designed for women veterans. Resources include training, housing stability, and more.
The center also highlights the accomplishments of a woman veteran of the day as well as women veteran authors.
The IHG® Army Hotels team is composed of many veterans and military family members who understand the unique needs, stress, and uncertainty that comes with military life. We are proud to serve and support members of the military and their families.
