2023
2023 was a year of profound change for IAVA as we reemerged from the seclusion of the COVID-19 pandemic with new leadership and a renewed focus on ADVOCACY, our core strength and impact!
2023: IAVA LEADS A NATIONAL DISCUSSION ABOUT "MORAL INJURY"
IAVA leads a national discussion on "moral injury"
In 2023, IAVA Sr. Advisor, Matt Zeller, introduced America to a heretofore uncommon term — “MORAL INJURY.” Less obvious than physical injury, moral injury is effectively an injury of the soul.
IAVA believes that much of the moral injury and mental health crises currently experienced by veterans are caused by inaction of the US government to support our Afghan allies after the withdrawal of US forces in 2021.
The Taliban campaign of reprisal killings has led to an increase in veterans reporting moral injury from 42 percent in the summer of 2022 to 48 percent a year later. For some veterans, the burden of that guilt can be too much to bear—leading to suicide.
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2023: A paradigm shift for IAVA
IAVA gets a new CEO
Allison Jaslow became IAVA’s third CEO and the first woman to lead the organization. While serving as Executive Director for IAVA in 2017, Jaslow helped put women veterans on the map with the #SheWhoBornetheBattle campaign.
“I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to be in the fight again for such an important mission and to lead IAVA into its next decade of impact,” said Jaslow.
READ MOREVA gets a new motto
In 2017, IAVA was the first major veterans organization to make women veterans its number one priority. We launched our #SheWhoBornetheBattle campaign that same year, and have been calling for a change to the VA’s motto ever since.
READ MOREAfghan Adjustment Act
IAVA proudly endorsed the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA) when it was introduced in the Senate in August 2022, yet support waned in Congress throughout 2023 as other political fights diverted attention from this serious issue.
IAVA continued to press for legislation to fix the structural flaws in the SIV program and provide a pathway to secure residency for those Afghans needing protection.
Keeping our promise to those Afghan allies who served with us would go a long way toward healing the moral injury that is debilitating our veteran community.
READ MOREAdvocacy at the Supreme Court
IAVA supercharged its advocacy for veteran education benefits by submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the petitioner in Rudisill v. McDonough.
Always vigilant when it concerns veteran education benefits, IAVA believes a decision in favor of Rudisill would strengthen investment in our servicemembers and solidify the readiness of the U.S. military.
READ MOREAlways data driven
In July 2023, IAVA did a quick check-in with members to record their opinions on some of the most contentious topics of the day. As always, IAVA’s policy priorities are fueled by the voices of its members.
Click below to see what IAVA members had to say!
READ MOREEvents: Bringing Veterans Together
IAVA MEMBER FLY-IN
IAVA’s fight for veterans was still strong through the global COVID-19 pandemic, but in March 2023, IAVA was back IN-PERSON for it’s first All-Star Advocacy Member DC Fly-In in three years! READ PRESS RELEASE
IAVA Veteran Leader Fellowship Program
With a comprehensive approach to advocacy leadership development, the Fellowship Program was launched in Fall 2023 to create a profound and lasting impact on the lives of veterans and their families.
Veterans in Action
TESTIFYING BEFORE CONGRESS
March 1, 2023: As one of his last official appearances as IAVA CEO, Jeremy Butler testifies before a Joint Hearing of the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees on IAVA’s annual policy priorities.
OP-ED: WOMEN VETERANS – THE ONGOING FIGHT FOR A PLACE TO CALL ‘HOME’
March 22, 2023: Sharing her unique perspective on the challenges faced by women veterans, IAVA Associate Director of Government Affairs, Kaitlynne Yancy, sounded off in The Hill, calling for concrete solutions to fight the inflated rates of housing insecurity among women veterans.
IAVA CEO ALLISON JASLOW COMMENTS ON SENATE VOTE TO REPEAL IRAQ WAR AUMF
March 29, 2023: IAVA’s new CEO, Iraq war veteran Allison Jaslow, weighs in on the debate about Congress’ repeal of the authorization for use of military force (AUMF) for the Iraq War, and she expresses her belief that open-ended authorizations of military force should never be left in place indefinitely.
WITH CANNABIS, I FOUND HEALING AND PURPOSE
April 18, 2023: IAVA Member Advocate, Stephen Mandile, is one of the countless veterans across America that have found more healing and an improvement in quality of life with cannabis.
CONFRONTING SEN. TUBERVILLE
July 26, 2023: IAVA CEO Allison Jaslow confronted Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) in the Senate halls over Sen. Tuberville’s obstruction of military promotions and pay raises.
IAVA THE FIRST VSO TO JOIN TIKTOK
As the first major veteran service organization (VSO) to join the platform, IAVA’s presence on TikTok will allow us to bring a unique voice to the robust community of vets there.
IAVA MOVES HEADQUARTERS TO DC
After 19 years headquartered in New York City with a concurrent presence in Washington, IAVA chose to close its New York office and consolidate operations in Washington, DC.
With a leaner team and a renewed focus on advocacy, the proximity to Capitol Hill of IAVA’s headquarters enables us to optimize our organization’s presence and impact.
VETERAN CARE PARTNERSHIPS REPLACE QRF
Since 2012, IAVA’s Quick Reaction Force (QRF) has provided remote care management and connections to quality resources to more than 24,000 veterans and family members.
In 2023, to optimize IAVA’s core strength in ADVOCACY, we replaced QRF by partnering with best-in-class veteran care partners focused solely on INDIVIDUAL VETERAN HELP.
Video Highlight
Changing the Game
March 22, 2023: IAVA CEO, Allison Jaslow, joins CBS Mornings for their “Changing the Game” series highlighting extraordinary women who are making a difference. Jaslow shares her priorities for mental health care, learning lessons from the Iraq war, and what it means to be the first openly gay veteran to lead a major veterans organization in the U.S.
IAVA History
Select a year from the list below to learn about IAVA’s impact during that time.
