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Spring 2007
In Memoriam: Captain Jennifer Harris, USMC A Message from Heidi
On February 7, 2007, Captain Jennifer Harris, a Ma- The Women
rine helicopter pilot, a Naval Academy Graduate, became Veterans’ Network
the first female from Massachusetts to be killed-in-action steering committee
since the War on Terror began. She died while piloting her meeting in January
CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter north of Baghdad during was bittersweet. Bit-
her third tour of duty. She was laid to rest in her hometown ter because we said
of Swampscott on February 19, with full military honors. farewell to Pat
Captain Harris may be the first Massachusetts woman Robinson, Women
to die in the line of duty in this war, but she certainly is not Veterans Program
the first to serve. The estimate for the number of Massa- (left-right) Pat Robinson and Heidi Manager at the VA
Kruckenberg at the Women Are
chusetts women ever deployed for Global War on Terror Veterans Too! event in November at
Boston Healthcare
service is around 2,350 (CTS Deployment File as of the State House System. And sweet
31Dec06). With the number of active duty women on the because the commit-
rise, we can expect to see more women returning from tee welcomed a handful of new members. Pat Robinson
combat seeking veterans’ benefits. Do you know a woman has worked with women veterans for the past fifteen years.
veteran—or a woman who is currently serving? If so, please The VA Boston received funding to establish a women vet-
thank her for her service and ask her if she knows about erans’ health center at the Jamaica Plain campus in 1992,
the Women Veterans’ Network. The Network keeps the year Pat was hired. Pat’s efforts to build and develop
women informed of their veterans’ benefits and services. the women’s program and health center cannot be under-
estimated. Her vision, determination, and energy have ben-
Two Outstanding Women Veterans efited thousands of women veterans over the past fifteen
On November 8, 2006, years. Pat is moving on to another position in the VA Bos-
two Massachusetts women ton where she will work with chronically mentally ill veter-
were nominated and selected ans—both male and female. She will certainly be missed
as Outstanding Women Veter- by women veterans and her colleagues.
ans at the State House. Lillian Saying good-bye to Pat was tempered by the excite-
J. Eaton of Amesbury was ment of meeting new steering committee members. Carlene
honored for her service in the Arambula, Jessica Fisher, Debra Freed, Lana Headley,
Navy during World War II and Mary Jane Letizia, Jo Ann Murphy, June Newman, Toni
her lifelong commitment to Phillips, and Diane Ramsay have joined the committee. They
helping veterans in her com- bring a variety of experiences and areas of expertise as
munity. Marybeth O’Sullivan well as represent diverse locations across the state. The
(left-right) Lillian J. Eaton of Brockton began her mili- committee is thrilled to have new members to help get the
and MaryBeth O’Sullivan tary career after completing word out to women veterans statewide. With new mem-
nursing school when she entered the Naval Reserves in bers hailing from One-Stop Career Centers and local Vet-
1982; she continues to serve in the Naval Reserves. erans’ Services offices, we hope to build stronger bridges
The Outstanding Woman Veteran Award will be pre- between services for women.
sented in November. Nomination information forthcoming. 1 Heidi Kruckenberg—Women’s Coordinator
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Veterans’ Services
VA Updates
Vet to Vet Group for Women at Jamaica Plain VA Welcome Baby Veteran
Vet to Vet is a mutual On a sunny winter day at the Brockton Women’s
support group for women Health Center ten women Marines surprised the proud
veterans. The mission of mom of baby Sophia Estela Mendoza with a lovely baby
this group is to help veter- basket loaded with goodies. Sophia was born on Decem-
ans help themselves and ber 17th at the South Shore Hospital. Her proud parents
each other. Vet to Vet is fa- are Renee and Alejandro Mendoza.
cilitated by two volunteer Renee is an Iraqi Freedom veteran and a member of
women veterans who are the Army HHB 42nd Division Artillery from Rehoboth,
(left-right) Doris King and not therapists nor VA staff. MA. She served as Commander of 175 soldiers in Iraq
Darlene Saunders facilitate the The meetings are well-or- from October 2004 through October 2005.
Vet to Vet group for women
ganized and follow the Diane Harness-DiGloria, Women Veterans Program
Pathways to Recovery self-help workbook. The book ad- Manager attended a VISN conference and heard about
dresses how women can use their strength and resources the Welcome Baby program that originated at the West
to set goals to aid in their recovery. The meetings start Haven VA. The idea is based on the traditional welcome
with a mindfulness exercise and end with a song. Different wagon concept when one moves into a new community.
topics are discussed and there are occasionally guest The basket includes baby basics, toys, handmade quilts
speakers. The volunteer facilitators welcome suggestions and clothes, books, and even treats for mom.
and invite new members. The Women Marines Association, Bay State Chap-
The Vet to Vet group has been meeting weekly since ter MA-1 organized the event with the Brockton Women’s
early December 2006. The Women’s Vet to Vet group Health Center. Members presenting the basket to Renee
meets every Thursday from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at the Ja- were: Jean Jackman, Eleanor Canty, Kay Carpenter, Pat
maica Plain VA Campus, Fourth floor Room C-12. All Morrissette, Velma Mooney, Betty Hughes, Micaila Britto,
women veterans are invited to join the group. For more Ruth Sullivan, Barbara Signor, and Elizabeth Denekamp.
information, please call 857-364-6396. VA provides fee-basis maternity care in the commu-
by Doris King (USMC) and Darlene Saunders (USA) nity for all eligible women veterans. Any service organiza-
Healthcare for Women in Worcester tion interested in participating in the program can contact
Did you know that the VA operates 17 outpatient Diane Harness-DiGloria at 774-826-1435.
clinics across the state? The diverse locations serve com- Aid and Attendance an Underused Benefit
munities from Nantucket to Pittsfield and from Hyannis to The VA is reaching out to inform wartime veterans
Fitchburg and more. Because different clinics offer differ- and surviving spouses of deceased wartime veterans about
ent services, contact the local clinic for more information. special monthly pension benefit called Aid and Attendance.
To find an outpatient clinic nearby, visit the VA website at Although this is not a new program, not everyone is aware
www.va.gov or call 781-687-4821. of it. The Aid and Attendance pension benefit may be avail-
One such clinic is on Lincoln Street in Worcester. able to wartime veterans and surviving spouses who have
The Worcester Community Based Outpatient Clinic of- in-home care, live in nursing homes or in assisted-living
fers full medical and mental health services for veterans. facilities. Many elderly veterans and surviving spouses
The physicians at the Worcester clinic are sensitive to whose incomes are above the congressionally mandated
women’s issues and offer excellent primary care. There legal limit for a VA pension may still be eligible for the
are female therapists and Nurse Practitioners, as well as a special monthly Aid and Attendance benefit if they have
monthly women’s clinic with Diane Harness-DiGloria, NP large medical expenses, including nursing home expenses,
the Women Veterans’ Program Manager with the VA Bos- for which they do not receive reimbursement. To qualify,
ton Healthcare System. For more information and to make claimants must be incapable of self-support and in need
an appointment, call the Worcester clinic at 508-856- of regular personal assistance.
0104. For more information, call the VA, 1-800-827-1000.
Source: VA Press Release, December 19, 2006
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Women Veterans’ Network, 600 Washington Street, Suite 1100, Boston, MA 02111
News & Updates
Women’s Legion Post Reorganizing in Housing First Model Is Alternative to
Western Massachusetts Emergency Shelter
Pioneer Valley Women’s Legion Post 463, based in “Housing” is what 40 women staying at the shelter at
Springfield, is being reorganized to reach out to the in- Father Bill’s Place said when asked by the staff, “What
creasing numbers of military women returning from duty in can we do to help you?” This unanimous, yet simple re-
Afghanistan and Iraq. sponse, given three years ago, started a chain reaction. It
The post, one of only three in Massachusetts spe- led to the realization that the services being provided within
cifically for women, was started about 12 years ago and the emergency shelter could just as easily be provided to
draws membership from throughout Western Massachu- persons residing in housing. This realization led to the cre-
setts. ation of Claremont House. Father Bill’s Place in Quincy,
Elizabeth Brewer of South Hadley, the new post MA, has been moving steadily towards providing perma-
commander, said it is important for military women to have nent housing with supportive services rather than emer-
a support group that understands their specific needs. gency shelter as a solution to ending homelessness.
“Some of these young people feel lost in a traditional Le- In May 2005 Claremont House opened its doors.
gion post with a predominantly male membership and are This harm reduction model serves as an alternative to emer-
often reluctant to discuss personal problems such as health gency shelter by providing “housing first” to 12 women
or finances,” she said. “We can answer many of their ques- with long histories of homelessness. These are the women
tions,” Brewer continued, “and if we can’t, we can tell most likely to be victimized. They struggle with issues of
them where to find help.” serious mental illness, substance abuse, poor health, and
Apart from benefits relating to health or finances there domestic abuse. The concept is simple: end homelessness
is also help available for education, mortgages, and bo- immediately regardless of income, history and/or compli-
nuses for active service. The Legion also offers veterans ance and then provide intensive support services to ad-
an opportunity to have an impact on their community dress individual needs.
through participation in a wide range of activities such as One of the first residents of Claremont House said,
working with young people in scouting or school programs, “Moving here saved my life. It really did. I never ever
helping hospitalized veterans, supporting scholarship op- thought that I would be homeless ever in my life. I walked
portunities, and many others. around all night in Boston because I was too afraid to
Post 463 meets in GAR Hall, Columbus Avenue, on sleep.” Another said, “[I] don’t have to wait in line for
Court Square, Springfield. For more information, contact food anymore. [I] can go to bed anytime.” By meeting a
post commander Elizabeth Brewer (413-533-8918 or persons’ basic need— housing—dignity has been regained
jeb0229@yahoo.com). and 12 women now have a place to call home.
For more information, please call 617-376-2255.
Tribute to Women Veterans in Holyoke by John Yazwinski, Father Bill’s Place
The American Legion, Department of Massachusetts
is presenting a Tribute to Women Veterans on March 25, WIMSA 10th Anniversary Celebration to Be Held
2007. It will be held at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home, in October 2007
Holyoke, MA at 3 PM. The keynote address will be given The Women’s Memorial Foundation (WIMSA) will
by East Longmeadow resident, Major Margaret Oglesby celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Memorial’s dedica-
(Massachusetts Army National Guard) who served in Af- tion in October 2007. Plans are underway to bring you a
ghanistan for nine months in 2003. The event is free and weekend of exciting events to commemorate this mile-
open to the public. stone, including a gala dinner, anniversary program, ser-
For more information, call Marge Cavanaugh, De- vice reunions, and a candlelight march.
partment Executive Committeewoman, the American Le- As always, for the most up-to-date information about
gion of Massachusetts (413-283-6448). anniversary events and visitor information, check our
website: www.womensmemorial.org.
Source: WIMSA website, www.womensmemorial.org
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Telephone: (617) 210-5781 FAX: (617) 210-5755
Department of Veterans’ Services PRESORTED STD
Attn: Women Veterans’ Network U.S. POSTAGE
600 Washington Street, Suite 1100 PAID
Boston, MA 02111 BOSTON MA
PERMIT NO. 56299
Bulk Rate
If you don’t wish to be on our mailing list or if your address is incorrect, please send your request
for removal or address change in writing to the address in the upper-left corner of this page.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Substance program will offer approximately eight weeks of special-
Use Disorder Residential Treatment Program ized, intensive treatment based on individual needs and
The National Center strengths. The primary goal is to help women develop skills
for PTSD, Women’s Divi- to maintain abstinence and manage PTSD symptoms. Vet-
sion, which is part of VA erans will have the opportunity to address specific trauma
Boston Healthcare Sys- issues, including military sexual trauma. Other important
tem, is pleased to offer a issues such as medical, vocational, housing, family, and
new program at the interpersonal problems will also be addressed as partici-
Brockton campus. The pants are encouraged to develop short- and long-term
(left-right) Karen A. Guthrie Women’s Posttraumatic plans for their own recovery.
and Sharon L. Baker Stress Disorder While the program takes into consideration each
(PTSD)-Substance Use veteran’s needs and preferences for treatment, all women
Disorder (SUD) Residential Treatment Program is entering the program must make a commitment to work
the first program of its kind to offer integrated treatment on both PTSD and SUD, regardless of which one may be
specifically for women veterans with both disorders. the primary problem at the time of admission. The pro-
We have known for some time that having both gram provides a residential setting where women veterans
PTSD and SUD makes it harder to recover from either of can safely begin this challenging process through a combi-
these disorders and that integrated therapies which ad- nation of group and individual therapies, educational ac-
dress both problems are highly effective. The treatment tivities, and medication management.
team has a specialized knowledge of integrated therapies In anticipation of a Spring 2007 opening, the pro-
for PTSD and SUD as well as other addictions. gram is beginning to screen applicants for admission. For
Designed to fill the gap between short-term inpatient more information, please call 774-826-1833.
and long-term outpatient and residential programs, the by Sharon L. Baker, Ph.D., Clinical Director and Karen A.
Guthrie, LICSW, Social Worker
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www.mass.gov/veterans dvswomen@vet.state.ma.us
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