Tacoma Hosts Washington's Women Veterans Summit

TACOMA, Wash. (NNS) -- More than 600 women veterans, active duty military and family members attended the Washington State Women Veteran Summit June 29 at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center.

The theme for the 5th annual summit was honoring the past, driving into the future.

Retired Navy Chief Yeoman Sharon Kirkpatrick, conference planner, said it was important to recognize these great veterans in attendance today.

"These women are heroes," said Kirkpatrick. "A lot of women veterans, for whatever reason, do not consider themselves veterans because they did not serve 20 years, but all these women here are veterans.

"They have earned this title and they should be proud of the sacrifices they gave for this country," said Kirkpatrick

Women at the conference were able to attend presentations on leadership, mental health and wellness, employment opportunities, Department of Veteran Affairs benefits, and education opportunities they may not have known about.

"This is just really an all around great conference," said Navy Counselor 1st Class (SW/AW) Brenda Chavez, command career counselor, Transient Personnel Unit on Naval Base Kistsap Bangor. "The active duty women can learn from these great women veterans. They have been in our shoes before so it's nice to learn from their experiences."

The summit featured guest speaker retired Army Brigadier General Rebecca Halstead, who gave a leadership presentation to the women in attendance.

"Regardless of why they came in today, they should leave with hope that their lives will be better because of the pride they should have from serving their country," said Halstead.

Halstead said she was beyond impressed with the summit that the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs put on.

"I have been to a lot of women veteran conferences and summits and this is by far the best one I have seen," said Halstead. "Washington is really leading the way in showing the rest of the country how to take care of their veterans."

According to U.S. Census veteran data, Washington has more than 47,600 women veterans.

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