News Summary
The University of Central Florida recently held the Women Veterans ENGAGE conference, uniting military women across 20 cities to honor and empower them. Organized by SEA WAVES, the conference highlights the issues of mental health and support for women veterans, while also promoting upcoming events like the Sheroes breakfast and the Miss Veteran America competition. These initiatives showcase the commitment to uplift women veterans during Women’s History Month.
Orlando – The University of Central Florida (UCF) recently hosted the Women Veterans ENGAGE conference, a key part of a nationwide initiative designed to honor, empower, and elevate military women. This event took place on a Saturday and was held simultaneously across 20 cities throughout the United States, aiming to create a powerful platform for connection, inspiration, and celebration among women veterans.
The conference was organized by a nonprofit organization called SEA WAVES, which was founded by Navy Senior Chief (Ret.) Leah Stiles. Stiles established SEA WAVES, which stands for Support, Education, Awareness, Wellness, and Validation for Eating Disorders and Self-Care, to address the often-overlooked issue of eating disorders in the military community. The initiative focuses on providing resources and support to help military women navigate mental health challenges, particularly around self-image.
In conjunction with the UCF event, the Latino Veterans of New Jersey is hosting a “Sheroes” breakfast on March 22 at the DoubleTree Hilton in Fairfield. This complimentary breakfast for female veterans will also be open to family members and supporters at a cost of $25, underscoring the importance of honoring female veterans during Women’s History Month. Registration for the breakfast is required through email.
Orlando Miranda, the President of the Latino Veterans of New Jersey, highlighted the significance of this celebration, particularly for female Latino veterans. This group also assists veterans in accessing benefits, healthcare, and vocational opportunities.
Additionally, the Miss Veteran America competition, which spotlights the achievements of women veterans, is set to take place in Orlando this October. Chiquita Pena, a Virginia resident and Army reservist with 16 years of service and two deployments to Afghanistan, is a competitor in the upcoming event. Balancing roles as a Realtor and a government contractor, Pena is also a mother of two. She lived in one of Final Salute’s transitional homes upon returning from deployment, highlighting the need for such services that support women veterans and their children.
The Miss Veteran America competition seeks not only to celebrate individual accomplishments but also to raise awareness and funds for the nonprofit Final Salute, Inc., which provides transitional housing and resources for homeless women veterans and their families. The competition includes various segments such as interviews, advocacy presentations, and a talent portion where Pena plans to perform a lip-sync to “QUEEN” by Janelle Monae.
Meanwhile, Marie Bogdonoff has been active in supporting homeless veterans through her organization, Villagers For Veterans. She has oversaw the construction of Ashley’s House, a transitional home in Eustis aimed at providing assistance to women veterans at risk of homelessness. This initiative is particularly crucial as the costs of construction have increased by 36% over the past two years, reflecting wider economic trends.
Villagers For Veterans promotes independent living for veterans by connecting them with essential support services. Bogdonoff established the nonprofit in 2015 following her visit to Walter Reed Medical Center, driven by a desire to help those in need. The organization will host its 9th Annual Orchid Gala fundraiser on October 10, 2024, to sustain its mission and support women veterans’ housing needs.
These events and initiatives within the Orlando area demonstrate a strong commitment to recognizing and uplifting military women, particularly as the nation acknowledges their sacrifices and contributions during Women’s History Month. As organizations and individuals work together, the aim is to extend support and improve the lives of women veterans throughout the country.
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Additional Resources
- WFTV: UCF Hosts Women Veterans ENGAGE Conference
- Google Search: Women Veterans ENGAGE Conference
- ROI NJ: Latino Veterans of New Jersey to Honor Women Service Members
- Wikipedia: Women in the United States Military
- Potomac Local: Orlando Awaits Chiquita Pena’s Path to Miss Veteran America
- Google News: Miss Veteran America
- Click Orlando: Lakefront Home for Homeless Women Veterans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Veteran
- WFTV: Orlando EMT Under Investigation
- Google Scholar: Women Veterans
