Where did you serve and what did you do?
Automated Logistics – System-Enhanced (SAMS-E) training – United States Army
Korea, Germany, and other locations Jul 2007–Dec 2010.
• Contributed to the unit receiving a superior performance rating on Battalion’s Command
• Coordinated a battalion-size dispatch operation daily
• Utilized and instructed others in the use of the Army Maintenance Management System
• Selected and completed specialized Standard Army Maintenance
Human Resources Clerk
Baghdad, Iraq
Oct 2003–Nov 2004
• Developed and implemented a model used by current and future staffers to track the movement of their soldiers
• Acted as liaison between the local Iraqi community and United States Army personnel in organizing Morale Wellness and Recreation
• Organized arrangements to ensure the delivery of medical and social assistance to the local Iraqi community
• Responsible for the sorting and distributing of soldier’s mail
• Assisted Public Affairs Officers in obtaining stories for publication and viewing
How are you #StillServing?
I know the female veteran population in Florida is not the majority. It is one of the arguments used to justify the lack of female veteran-centered housing. In fact, from the Census reports, approximately 50,000 female veterans reside in Miami Dade County, Florida. To counter, I assert this is the number of female veterans we are aware of. Some female veterans, in order to obtain services, deny being a veteran — they deny their time in service.
My Seester, the nonprofit I established, seeks to change that. It is how I decided to continue to serve. From organizing meet and greets with health care providers and community representatives, to meetups with the ladies who were not able to go to North Florida to attend the Florida Veteran Conference. This event was followed by a variety of health and social services at the first-ever Health Care Symposium by this organization, which is so timely now with the outbreak of COVID-19.
There is still more to be done. I still continue to serve. My Seester is currently raising awareness as well as raising funds to go towards female veteran issues. My Seester’s goal is to raise $900 to buy female hygiene products to give to female veterans in need.
Why do you do it?
As a female veteran myself, I have the opportunity to help prevent the female veteran transitioning to civilian life from falling in the cracks, or if they are in the cracks, help them out of it.