“Women Warriors,” Groundbreaking Report on Female Troops and Veterans Released by IAVA

For Immediate Release
Monday, October 12, 2009

 “Women Warriors,” Groundbreaking Report on Female
Troops and Veterans Released by IAVA 

Media Conference Call on Wednesday, October 14^th, 11AM EST to Discuss Report, Key Women’s Issues

WHO: Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of American (IAVA), Erin Mulhall, IAVA Deputy Policy Director for Research and author of the report, and Cara Hammer, IAVA Veteran Support Associate and Iraq veteran.

WHAT: Press conference call revealing IAVA’s pioneering Issue Report: “Women Warriors: Supporting She ‘Who Has Borne the Battle’”

WHEN: Wednesday, October 14^th, 11:00am E.S.T. 

*Media calling-in can request an early copy of the report on Tuesday, October 13^th.

SUMMARY: On this call, media will have the opportunity to learn about the key findings of IAVA’s newest report on the unique and urgent service and homecoming challenges facing female troops and veterans. Women currently make up 20 percent of all military recruits and more than 11 percent of the forces deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.  The report examines women’s issues including: career barriers, challenges with VA health care systems, growing rates of homelessness, and sexual assault and harassment.  “Women Warriors” offers the most comprehensive analysis and policy recommendations to date on these critical issues.

CALL-IN INFORMATION:
Call-in number: 1-800-369-3164                                
Participant passcode: IAVA2009

NOTE: There will be media availability at the end of the call.

CONTACT: To participate, reply to this email or contact Terrell Frazier, 212-982-9699 or terrell@iava.org.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the nation’s first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. It has more than 125,000 veteran members and civilian supporters nationwide. IAVA Action Fund is IAVA’s, nonpartisan 501c(4) advocacy organization. For more information, please visit www.iava.org or www.iavaaction.org.