The History Of Women Veterans And The Challenges They Face Today

Women in the U.S. Military
Four F-15 Eagle pilots from the 3rd Wing walk to their respective jets at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, for the fini flight of Maj. Andrea Misener (far left). To her right are Capt. Jammie Jamieson, Maj. Carey Jones and Capt. Samantha Weeks. U.S.A.F.
Women in the U.S. Military
Four F-15 Eagle pilots from the 3rd Wing walk to their respective jets at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, for the fini flight of Maj. Andrea Misener (far left). To her right are Capt. Jammie Jamieson, Maj. Carey Jones and Capt. Samantha Weeks. U.S.A.F.

The History Of Women Veterans And The Challenges They Face Today

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In the wake of the Nov. 6 midterm election, Morning Shift examined the historic wins by women candidates — a record 125 women will serve in the 116th Congress starting in January.

Now in honor of Veterans Day, we are taking a look at the history of women serving in the military as well as the unique challenge women vets in our area face in 2018.

There are more than 49,000 women veterans in Illinois according to the most recent from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Morning Shift checks in with an author who’s written about military women and with the leader of a local organization that advocates for women veterans dealing with everything from food insecurity to homelessness to mental health issues.

GUESTS: Amy Nathan, author of Count On Us: American Women In The Military

Rochelle Crump, founder of Chicago-based National Women Veterans United

LEARN MORE: Timeline: A history of Women in the US Military

Mary Edwards Walker

Deborah Sampson