West Virginia’s First Women Veterans Celebration
Volunteer West Virginia is proud of our AmeriCorps VISTAS ( & Veterans! ) Donna Decker and Wayne McDonald for successfully planning the first Women Veterans Celebration in West Virginia!
Women have served the United States through all periods of U.S. history, whether disguised as male soldiers during the American Revolution, as nurses in World War II, or as helicopter pilots in Afghanistan. Yet too often, the contribution of women in uniform have been overlooked, even by women themselves.
"If you look at a group of Veterans at any event, you might see one or two women Veterans," said Donna Decker, Army Veteran, and event organizer. “Think about being two voices in a group of thousands. The event is about building a support base of sisters in arms - all the women who support our country, past and present. If we hold on to each other, we can get help."
Over 50 people attended the event at Chief Logan State Park – including 20 women Veterans. The event included: art therapy, message therapy, a memorial ceremony, and a resource fair for women Veterans which highlighted information and services available for Veterans. The VISTAS plan to make this an annual community event to create a support system for female Veterans in West Virginia.