The Sun Also Rises
Susan has just returned (for five minutes) from one of her trips and boy do we have some good news!
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Her involvement with Academy Women 4th Annual Symposium with an audience of about 200 military Academy Women (some still in school and some graduates) has brought home to us an amazing amount of support from:
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·     Research and development of women’s research and statistics
·     Remembrance ceremony for families of fallen women soldiers
·     Panel Women at War
·     Female IG of the Navy works at Pentagon and is point of contact for any active duty case
·     Amy from vet center is the one who helped the Doonesbury comic strip be an accurate representation of what we go through
·     Portland University doing research on active duty and interested in VETWOW women
·     The “token” guy(who was raised by a single mother, has 4 sisters, and a single dad of daughter)works at pentagon and is interested in being on our board and recruit more high power supporters.
·     Head of VA Medical side Patricia Hayes
·     Head of VA Benefits side
·     Assistant Director of the Center for Women Veterans
·     4 Female Generals
·     VETWOW has been offered our own accommodations for a program during the Women Vet Symposium
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 looks like some rude awakenings are coming!  how exciting!
November 9th, 2007
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Susan
is currently undergoing treatment for cancer until the end of
this year. During this time, she is sending new clients to the
VETWOW Yahoo site - an invitation only group to provide information,
support and help with MST/PSTD and VA Claims. Throughout this
time she is able to do minimal work, and most likely will be
able to point you in the right direction to get your needs met.
Alternative sources for help are being developed. Her chances
for complete recovery are very, very good.
Susan
Avila-Smith established the “Women Organizing Women”
WOW group in 1997, beginning with monthly meetings at the Seattle
VAMC, and later adding American Lake. This forum was used to
provide advocacy and network vital information regarding services
and benefits to women veterans and their providers. It has evolved
into a National group of women veterans who are helping others
to obtain benefits while supporting them emotionally through
the process.
With
11 years personal experience within the VA system for PTSD,
and a 70 day in patient treatment at the Palo Alto, California
Women’s Trauma Recovery program Susan believes that she can
help women obtain services that they would never apply for.
She has obtained 100% service connected benefits for over 300
women, and have over 600 women (and men) currently in the system.
She also advocates for Active Duty servicemembers who have been
sexually assaulted, and need help outside the military system
- which would tend to be ALL of them.
October 3rd, 2007
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