The Department of Veterans Affairs reported that female former servicemembers make up nearly 9 percent of veterans living in the U.S. That percentage equals roughly 2 million women. ABC Action News-30 said that many of these women feel left out of veterans services because of their gender.
"If you look at the growing segment, women veterans represent the fastest growing segment of U.S. veterans," Cenethea Lofbom of the Department of Veterans Affairs told ABC Action News-30. "So there are going to be unique needs that sometimes cannot be addressed as a whole."
Women Veterans Stand Up is an event where female veterans can come together for support and to learn about the different opportunities available to them in life after service. On Sept. 14, the VFW Post in West Central Fresno, California, hosted this event for the second year in a row.
Many local vendors came to support the female veterans. The women had the option to learn about health care and even had access to day spa services. The Stand Up also served as a networking event for women veterans interested in pursuing civilian careers.
The events of the Women Veterans Stand Up will continue throughout the week.