Ralph H. Johnson VA proudly supports She’s the Veteran, a trailblazing organization founded by Army combat Veteran Brooke Jackson Kahn.
With a mission to empower and improve the lives of women Veterans through community building, mental health support and groundbreaking research, She’s the Veteran is making a profound impact on the fastest-growing segment of the Veteran population.
Women Veterans face unique challenges that are often overlooked, including a higher likelihood of developing PTSD, becoming homeless and struggling with hunger compared to their male counterparts.
Jackson Kahn, physician assistant and reservist, was inspired to start She’s the Veteran after discovering a lack of resources and research focused on women Veterans. “I was astounded to see the lack of research and the lack of resources. PTSD in women Veterans is not talked about enough. It hasn’t been researched enough,” Kahn said.
South Carolina home to over 45,000 women Veterans
Since its launch in 2020, She’s the Veteran has been providing a supportive community for women Veterans in South Carolina, a state home to over 45,000 women who served. The organization hosts monthly skill-based activities, such as fishing, horseback riding and shooting clays, which are designed to help participants retrain their brains and turn negative experiences into positive ones.
“It’s kind of shocking how many times these women have never even been thanked for their service. What you’re doing is brave and worth recognition. Be proud, hold your head high. You do awesome things for both your country and your community,” Kahn added.
“I didn’t know how much I needed this community until I found it,” said Michelle McMeenkin, 26-year Air force Veteran. “Being around other women Veterans who share a common core experience like serving in the armed forces has been inspiring. It’s incredible to be in a safe space where we can share stories, support each other and heal together. Literally, live, love and laugh.”
The organization holds monthly virtual “Vet Connect” meetings to reach homebound women Veterans and those living outside of South Carolina. She’s the Veteran advocates for women Veterans at local community events and celebrates Women Veterans Day annually in June.
“I feel like I’m part of something bigger.”
“Nobody gives them a break. Nobody says, ‘OK, you need a break.’ Women just march on,” Kahn said, emphasizing the importance of providing women Veterans with a space to focus on their own well-being. “It really is an internal, silent suffering of some kind because it’s just what ends up being expected. And women just do it.”
“She’s the Veteran has given me a sense of purpose and belonging. I feel like I’m part of something bigger, a movement that’s making a real difference in the lives of women Veterans. It’s empowering to meet all these amazing women, bear their stories, and know at the end of the day, we have each other’s backs,” McMeekin added.
Kahn also highlights the importance of research in addressing the unique challenges faced by women Veterans. “We need more data, more studies that focus specifically on the experiences and needs of women Veterans. Only then can we develop targeted interventions and support systems that truly make a difference,” Kahn said.
With its commitment to mental health, research and advocacy, She’s the Veteran is working to ensure that women Veterans receive the recognition, support and resources they deserve. As the organization continues to grow, it aims to expand its reach nationwide, closing the gap in mental health services and research for women who have bravely served their country.
“We want every woman Veteran to know that they are not alone. We’re here to support them, to advocate for them and to make sure that their voices are heard. Together, we can create a future where no woman Veteran feels invisible or underserved,” Kahn said.
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I am shocked to read these comments! Hopefully with time and work—it will get better for our women veterans.
Being a Viet Nam Era vet I am often mistaken for the spouse of the veteran and I am often referred to as ‘Mr.’ by staff at the VA before they see/hear that I am a woman. I would think with so many women serving now that this bias would be diminished but it continues unabated.
It feels odd when you call the VA and it is always assumed that you aren’t the one that served, and even questioned twice. Do they question the men who call 2 times to ensure they are the veteran?
My wife is an example of this type of discrimination and assumption. She was told a long time ago that the female auxiliary table for our Legion was “over there ” pointed out to her during a membership card check/verification. She replied calmly ( to her credit ) that she had her own DD-214 for over 10yrs. of service.
She brought it ( the DD-214) with her on our next visit and promptly joined. LOL.
I love the thought of this program for women vets. It’s long overdue ! I am a Vietnam vet and served 2 voluntary tours as an Army Nurse. I once went to the VA hospital and in the exam room, the Doctor asked the nurse, “Where’s the veteran?” Another time, I went to The Wall in Washington, DC, wearing the same fatigue shirt that I wore in Nam. A guy came up to me and screamed at me to “Take off that shirt before I rip it off of you ! You did not earn it —there were no women in Vietnam !” And so it goes……
Thank you, Ms Kahn !
I would like to see more women vets as service officers. I am that woman Vet! I was a WAC in the army. I am so happy that there is a movement for better health care for women vets,
When are the monthly online meetings and how may they be accessible?
When my husband and I walk into the VA, they always thank him for his service even though he’s not a veteran. They ignore me, even though I wear my USAF Veteran hat. My husband just points to me, and they still don’t thank me. If the VA can’t thank the right person for their service, then don’t thank anyone…just take care of our medical appointments and let us leave without being humiliated. I don’t want to be the whiny woman, but since getting married, it has been a lot harder for me!
I wish this organization was nationwide. I do hope that it gets to be nationwide soon. People don’t understand how women are expected to push down our issues and still fulfill our roles as wives, mothers, and sometimes employees. We aren’t allowed to show our pain or take a day off. We have to make sure everything is clean, everyone is clothed and fed, and go to work.
Thank you for the knowledge.
Luz Cruz-Ventura
1) Do you have an email subscription list? If yes, please add my email address.
2) Does this group have a facebook page? What is the name of it? Or a link?
Thank You!
The group has a webpage: http://www.Shestheveteran.org.
Their Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/ShesTheVeteran
The founder of the group and current leader’s email is Brooke@ShesTheVeteran.Org
Do you have an email subscription list? If yes, please add my email address.
Thank You!
I love this! I am a Marine veteran.
I served from the 80’s to the 90’s and have watched how women veterans have been left behind for decades.
I am proud to say that “care” is changing — thank you former President Trump for making the biggest most sweeping changes for female veterans.
Thank you. In Oklahoma we are nonexistent and second class, especially in rural areas. Thank you for pushing events for female vets.
What a wonderful and important article for the “other gender” who have served – why don’t you put a link or contact information in the story? The VA always gets SOCLOSE to being average and above the suck line, and then falls short….
Almost well done, again.
Why was it important to identify the Physician Assistant as a combat Veteran? she was possibly
Assigned to a hospital or hospital support unit to see patients. when you say combat Veteran to “us”
Veterans, it is almost ranking Individuals as a hierarchy (chest thumping, Yeah, I’m a man) We all served
In a theater of operations. In modern warfare theory, there is no “frontline”. we are vulnerable to IED’s
Weapons, SCUD’s and chemical weapons, when we are “over there”. Yes maleness is understood
When the word Veteran is said, We are here and research and support are necessary and appreciated.
I founded a group of Veterans to gather and become not only active in the community ut also get involved in activities such as BBQs, Picnics, day trips, fishing, theatre to name a few. It is my understanding that a woman’s group was going to organize with an initial meeting at Hanscom AFB — never got any feedback. Many women are anxious to join together for activities and join with men groups for socialization. Has your group managed this or is your directive different?
Anxious to see all Vets involved and together enjoying the activities they sacrificed when joining the armed forces.
Ed Kovary
Veterans United of Cape Cod n Plymouth
I am a veteran, my husband is not. He loves it when someone mislabels him. He will loudly proclaim ” I’m not the veteran, SHE is” and then look at me like I am the embodiment of G. I. Jane. I love that man. :)
Love reading this !!
Please let us know if we can help
We thank you all for your service and we are honored to serve you all now.
I love this story so inspiring about time they get their due well done It’s really nice to hear these women veterans are getting heard.
I’ve been at a large Veteran event with both men and women Veterans it hurts a little to see how many times a couple would approach a booth or table and the male would automatically be assumed to have served. I’m guilty of making the assumption also and I could also see the annoyance and even the hurt in the female warrior’s face. She’s the Veteran is similar to the Shero initiative, and I love to see it.