The VA and Congress Have the Power to Save Women Veterans’ Lives—Right Now

When I dreamed of joining the military, I knew it wouldn’t be an easy dream to realize. I knew I’d have to push myself past my limits and that I could be required to risk my life. Over my 14 years in the South Dakota Army National Guard, including service in Iraq, all of that and more came to fruition.

But I failed to predict what would be the most difficult parts of service. They came after I took off the uniform, after war wreaked havoc on my body. They were the experiences of being dismissed and feeling misunderstood by the very system that promised to take care of me: the Department of Veterans Affairs.