If the past weeks have taught us
anything, it is that words matter. White-washing histories means stories and
lives of so many are unrecognized and similarly, gender-washing our VA
cemeteries only serves to keep the contributions of women service members
invisible.
Women are the fastest growing group of
veterans and there are currently nearly half a million who use at least one
form of VA benefits. Instead of using this knowledge to create a more
gender-inclusive VA, the Secretary has decided it is more important to honor
the words of a long-deceased president than the service of those he is charged
to serve.
This is not the first time the VA has
failed women. VA hospitals have been reported to be threatening and dangerous
environments for women service members and recognition for female needs ranging
from infertility to safety are long overdue. Women veterans are less likely
than men to seek care at VA, and advocates say that’s due at least in part to
gender and sexual harassment by male veterans at VA hospitals and clinics.
Instead of rectifying the problems from within the department, it seems it is
digging in its heels to continue to make women feel as if they are unvalued
pieces of the war-fighting machine.
Advocates worry that the emergency
response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic could take away attention from
other needed changes within the Veterans Affairs system.
Women veterans advocates worry
coronavirus crisis will overshadow other needed fixes
New improvements must be implemented
alongside other needs reforms, they warn.
Additionally, the gender of the
service member is not the only thing wrong with this quote. A Gold Star child
who loses one parent, either a father or a mother to service, is not an orphan
unless the other parent too has passed. Here the VA has ample opportunity to
acknowledge the outstanding efforts of widows — of all genders — who step
forward and raise their non-orphaned children as single parents — many of which
are supported by the VA.
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