Save It for Later: Women Veterans and Senators

Congratulations! You survived Election 2012.  It was exciting and great for women.  Here’s the best of what I bookmarked this week, all related to women and being American.  Happy Veterans Day!

Women Veterans

Veterans Advantage

According to Veterans Advantage, “Roughly 15% of today’s military are women, but military observers will tell you their influence is greater than their numbers suggest and it's growing.”  As you make your reflections for Veterans Day, be sure to remember some female military greats here: Saluting Women Who Served.

Rape in the Military

The Invisible War

Amy Ziering, producer of the film, The Invisible War, which sheds light on the epidemic of rape in the United States Military, states “There’s much about being raped in the military that’s categorically different from civilian rape.  In many ways it can be even more profoundly damaging. If you’re a civilian, you can seek immediate comfort and support from friends and family, you can seek recourse through an impartial criminal justice system, and you are not blamed and castigated if you report. What the public doesn't realize is that if you are raped in the military, you don’t have these options. Plus, it goes against the creed you've been taught—‘A good soldier doesn’t tell on a fellow soldier — good marines suck it up.’ All these things combined have kept so many victims from being able to talk about what happened to them,” (Los Angeles Post, June 26, 2012).

It is vital to raise awareness of the epidemic of rape in the military as we continue to strive in our country for the elimination of and healing from crimes against women.  For more information see the website, Not Invisible, where you can watch the trailer, request a screening, and obtain information on having your voice heard.

Celebrating Women Senators

Do you know all of the recently elected female U.S. Senators?  I love this presentation I found on Prezi:

Meet your Women Senators on Prezi

Let's Not Forget Our Widows

The American Widow Project

Back in April, Anna Mahler, a regular contributor to Wednesday's Woman spotlighted Taryn Davis, founder of the American Widow Project.  Veterans Day is certainly a time to keep our widows in our thoughts.

“While the service member’s sacrifice is acknowledged, many simply forget or fail to recognize the sacrifice of the spouse who is now left a widow of war. Often times the invisible wounds of military widows are disregarded due to age or a simple lack of knowledge and understanding." ~Taryn Davis

The American Widow Project provides peer to peer support for a new generation of military widows.  For more information go here: The American Widow Project. 

Women Do Not Belong in the Kitchen

This has nothing to do with the election or veterans.  I simply feel compelled to share.

The trouble with depression is indolence becomes my best friend.  Time with my best friend keeps me from doing things like chores, exercising, reading, and the like.  However, depression and its accompanying sloth does give a great excuse for leaving the dishes, which I despise doing.  

These dishes have been accumulating since Thursday,
a true, off-line, Save It for Later.

Even though I am happy to report that I am gaining momentum (yesterday I raked leaves and cleaned out my car with the help of my youngest daughter, Antonia), I could not bring myself to tackle that sink. This morning, my significant other did it for me.  Thanks, M.  I seriously do not belong in the kitchen.


Save It for Later is a regular feature sharing the week's best bookmarks that I saved to read later.

Wednesday's Woman: A New Generation of Widows

I am beyond thrilled to welcome back Anna Mahler, The MommyPadawan, as a contributor to Wednesday’s Woman.  Because Anna is so passionate about creating awareness of the positive impact women are currently having on our world, I am excited to announce that she will be here on a monthly basis.  I am grateful for Anna’s willingness to take time out of her very full life as a wife, mother, and blogger to commit to sharing her passion for inspiring others regularly at Sperk*.

Anna is not only passionate, but she is also supportive and empathic, which is apparent in the comments she leaves for others around the blogosphere.  The scope of her support is broad and available to any who are willing to receive it.  For proof, check out her Twitter feed.  Being sincerely compassionate requires courage, which Anna definitely possesses.  Recently, she intrepidly posted her own story, I Have My Reasons, to summon support for National Child Abuse Awareness Month. 

Evidence of her far-reaching compassion is present as she brings attention to the plight of the military widow in her thoughtful story about Taryn Davis, founder of American Widow Project.  I agree with Anna whole-heartedly when she states:

"Sharing your story and feelings while hearing from others and connecting with women who understand what you are going through . . . having this kind of connection and support can also help you heal."

The above echoes the reason I value Sperk*, Wednesday’s Woman, and Anna herself.  

 Wednesday's Woman: Taryn Davis

by Anna Mahler

It always strikes me, how young most of the people are when I see anything on the news talking about our service men and women.  I often wonder if we really understand the extent of what they see and experience and how much support they need and fully deserve.

Taryn Davis, photo via AWP

Each time I have seen news reports of the loss of a hometown's military serviceman, I feel sadness for the parents who have outlived their own child, I think about the loss of one with so much left to do in life and the tragedies and unfairness of war. But I admit, one thing I don't always think about are the widows. So many young service men are also married and end up leaving behind very young wives, often with small children, to grieve for them.

This was the experience for Taryn Davis. She was 21 years old when her husband was killed in Iraq four years ago. Devastated and grieving, Taryn felt even more alone when looking for emotional support and other widows to connect with. Because of her age, she felt she didn't fit in with most existing widow groups and people around her either avoided the subject or acted as if someone so young would be able to bounce right back without understanding the depth of her pain. 

Knowing she could not be the only young war widow feeling this way and wanting to help and connect with others in her place, Taryn created The American Widow Project  in 2007 for other women around the country whose husbands have died in Iraq and Afghanistan: 

“While the service member’s sacrifice is acknowledged, many simply forget or fail to recognize the sacrifice of the spouse who is now left a widow of war. Often times the invisible wounds of military widows are disregarded due to age or a simple lack of knowledge and understanding.

The American Widow Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to the new generation of those who have lost the heroes of yesterday, today and tomorrow, with an emphasis on healing through sharing stories, tears and laughter. Military Widow to Military Widow.”

What I really loved is how they describe the groups events:

“We do not hold seminars or have speakers, we have each other. The widows come together to enjoy life the way they did when their spouse was still alive. From surfing to zip-lining, we are here to enjoy each others company and share some of our fondest memories.”

The site also offers a list of blogs by other military widows, books and additional resources from grief support forums to suicide prevention information. 

Sharing your story and feelings while hearing from others and connecting with women who understand what you are going through is a great way to building this invaluable support system. I think when you lose someone you love, there is always a part of you that is missing but I believe having this kind of connection and support can also help you heal.

I love learning about women supporting women and this is a great example of just that. 

Read more about Taryn and The American Widow Project and watch the video below:

Follow The American Widow Project on Facebook and Twitter