Media
MEDIA ADVISORY: Post-9/11 Vets Join with Sens. Tester, Boozman, Rep. Esty To Announce Comprehensive Women Veterans’ Legislation
Washington, DC (March 21, 2017) – Today at 2:30 PM, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) will join with Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and John Boozman (R-AR) and Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT) to announce comprehensive, bipartisan legislation to support women veterans.
The Deborah Sampson Act, named for a woman who disguised herself as a man in order to serve in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, calls on Congress to:
• Foster Cultural Change
• Strengthen Data and Transparency
• Recognize and Support the Value of Peer Support
• Require coordinated community care
• Increase outreach
IAVA, the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization representing post-9/11 veterans and their families, is working with Congress and the Trump Administration on ways to change the culture around women who serve in the military-not just those on active duty, but after they come home.
Nearly 345,000 women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. While the number of male veterans is expected to decline in the next five years, the women veteran population will increase, and women have taken on new roles and responsibilities throughout the services.
WHAT: Announcement of Deborah Sampson Act
WHO: IAVA Chief of Staff and Iraq vet Allison Jaslow
IAVA Director of Political and Intergovernmental Affairs Melissa Bryant
Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT)
Sen. John Boozman (R-AR)
Rep. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT)
WHEN: Tuesday, March 21st
2:30 PM
WHERE: Senate Swamp