The Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) has appointed five new members to serve on VA’s Advisory Committee on Women Veterans (Committee), in early March.

The Committee advises the Secretary on women Veterans’ issues and makes recommendations regarding VA policy, benefits and services created to meet their current and projected needs.

Established by Congress in 1983, the Committee shapes the department’s efforts to modernize and provide equitable and timely services to our nation’s women Veterans.

The new members on VA’s Advisory Committee on Women Veterans are:

  • Nestor Aliga, Vallejo, CA. Retired U.S. Army Colonel, a former member of VA’s Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans; currently serving as a Veterans advocate focusing on policy and programs specifically impacting women and other minority Veterans.
  • Jacqueleen Bido, Mount Dora, FL. A U.S. Navy Veteran with deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; a Latina member of Orlando VA Medical Center’s women’s committee; currently serves as an independent consultant for BIDOISM, INC. in Orlando, FL, and Elevate Newark in Newark, NJ.
  • Sharon Dunbar, Manassas, VA. Retired U.S. Air Force Major General; former member of several joint services committees addressing issues impacting female military members in the Department of Defense; currently serves as a senior executive in private industry.
  • Kendall Egan, Las Vegas, NV. A U.S. Navy Veteran whose work focuses on clinical dermatology, clinical research, patient safety, and expert reviews for investigational and standard of care use of medical diagnostic testing and treatments; currently serves as a board-certified dermatologist practicing in Las Vegas, NV.
  • Centra Mazyck, Columbia, SC. Retired U.S. Army Sergeant First Class; currently serves as an advocate for the needs of disabled Veterans; motivational speaker for disabled Veteran athletes; and as an ambassador for organizations such as Disabled American Veterans, Astro Access, True Car/Driven to Drive and Permobil.

Additionally, four Committee members were reappointed for an additional term. They are: U.S. Navy Veteran Sandra Miller (Birdsboro, PA); U.S. Army Reserve (Retired) Master Sergeant Lachrisha Parker (Gaithersburg, MD); U.S. Air Force (Retired) Colonel Wanda Wright (Tempe, AZ); and Massachusetts Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Shannon McLaughlin (Sharon, MA).

These new appointees and reappointed members will further enhance the Committee’s level of expertise as it relates to understanding the various facets impacting women Veterans and advising VA in meeting their diverse and evolving needs.

More information

Visit the Center for Women Veterans’ webpage for more information about the Committee’s work and other VA resources for women Veterans.

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4 Comments

  1. Carol Williams April 25, 2023 at 14:47

    Congratulations ladies.
    1. Now let’s work on total women clinics with all services (MH, MST, mammogram, xray, …)in them. MST, fear, dominance and insensitivity is still an issue.
    2.Separate single housing and dorm for MST and VAWA ladies
    3. Some kind of help for aging veterans who are not tech savvy.

  2. Jacqueleen Bido, EdD April 25, 2023 at 12:01

    I am excited and honored to be a part of this advisory committee.

  3. Bill Baniff April 21, 2023 at 07:11

    I am wondering if there will soon be a Committee on Male Veterans?

    • Kathryn Smith April 23, 2023 at 08:07

      Probably. When their needs and experiences diverge from the primary purpose and priorities of the VA, they will get a committee.

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