New Members Appointed to Committee on Women Veterans

WASHINGTON – Four new members have been appointed to the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), an expert panel that advises VA on issues and programs affecting women veterans.

“I am pleased to welcome the newest members of this committee to the important job of serving America’s women veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake.  “Members of this committee work tirelessly on behalf of women veterans to improve outreach, ensure access to VA benefits and recommend ways in which VA can better meet their needs.”

Established in 1983, the advisory committee makes recommendations for administrative and legislative changes.  The committee members are appointed to one-, two-, or three-year terms.  The new committee members include: Rene A. Campos from Washington, D.C.; Helena R. Carapellatti from Upper Marlboro, Md; Barbara Pittman from Washington, D.C.; and Rosemarie (Rose) Weber from Springfield, Va. 

“The expertise and perspectives that the new members offer are greatly appreciated and will surely impact the recommendations presented by the Committee.  I look forward to their contributions,” Peake said.

Women veterans are one of the fastest growing segments of the veteran population.  There are approximately 1.7 million women veterans.  They comprise 7 percent of the total veteran population and nearly 5 percent of all veterans who use VA health care services.  VA estimates that by 2020 women veterans will comprise 10 percent of the veteran population. 

VA has women veterans program managers at VA medical centers and women veterans coordinators at VA regional offices to assist women veterans with health and benefits issues.  

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VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans Membership

·         Shirley Ann Quarles, (Chair), McCormick, S.C.  Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve, Nurse Corps; currently a professor at Medical College of Georgia’s School of Nursing.

·         Rene A. Campos, Washington, D.C.  A retired Navy Commander; currently serves as the Deputy Director of Family Matters, Government Relations, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).

·         Helena R. Carapellatti, Upper Marlboro, Md.  A retired Chief Master Sergeant, Air National Guard; currently tutors with the Literacy Council of Prince George’s County and owns a business with her spouse.  

·         Velma Hart, Upper Marlboro, Md.  A former Army Reserve Sergeant; currently National Finance Director/Chief Fiscal Officer (CFO) for AMVETS.

·         Kathleen Janoski, Pittsburgh, Penn.  A retired Navy Chief Petty Officer; currently working in private industry and active in several civic and military organizations.

·         Marlene Kramel, Pineville, La.  A former Army Nurse with service in Vietnam; retired psychiatric nurse and Women Veterans Program Manager with the VAMC in Alexandria, LA.

·          Mary Antoinette (Tonie) Lawrie, St. Petersburg, Fla.  A former Air Force Nurse Corps Captain with service in Vietnam; retired as coordinator of the Women Veterans Health Program at the VAMC in Bay Pines.  Former Commissioner for the State of Florida Department of Veterans Affairs.

·         Pamela Luce, Shelbyville, Ky.  A retired Army First Sergeant; currently Women Veterans Coordinator for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, and Benefits Branch Manager for the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs. 

·         Brenda Moore, Getzville, N.Y.  Served in the Women’s Army Corps; currently a professor in the Department of Sociology at the State University of New York at Buffalo.  Former Commissioner of the American Battle Monuments Commission and former member of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS).  

·         Jacqueline Morgan (Vice-Chair), Seattle, Wash.  A retired Air Force Medical Corps Colonel and retired physician.

·         Barbara Pittman, Washington, D.C.  A retired Air Force Technical Sergeant; currently works for the Government of the District of Columbia, Executive Office of the Mayor as the Veterans Benefits Special Assistant to the Mayor.

·         Celia Szelwach, Bradenton, Fla.  Graduate of the U.S. Military Academy.  A former Army Captain; currently self-employed.

·         Joanna Truitt, West River, Md.  Served in several leadership positions in institutions of higher education; currently serves as the D.C. Director of the American Legion Auxiliary.

·         Rosemarie (Rose) Weber, Springfield, Va.  A retired Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant; currently serves as the Executive Assistant in DoD’s Defense Travel Management Office.  

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