Hoosier women veterans to be honored in Indy

Since World War II, women have played an important role in the armed services. In Indiana alone, there are about 33,000 women veterans and 2,200 active servicewomen on duty as of October 2007.

To recognize Hoosier women who have or are currently serving in the military, Indiana will celebrate its Third Annual Hoosier Women Veterans’ Conference on Saturday.

The conference, which will be at the Indiana War Memorial in Indianapolis, gives Hoosier women veterans an opportunity to connect and relate to other women who have shared similar experiences, Sen. Sue Landske, R-6th District, said in an audio release.

Women Veterans Coordinator Kris Bertrand said it will be the third conference for women veterans on an official state level, as there have been prior conferences for Hoosier women veterans that were put on by nonprofit organizations.

Indiana is one of many states following a trend that first started in Ohio, the first state to have a successful women veterans’ conference.

At the recommendation of the National Association of State Women Veterans Coordinators, Indiana had its first Hoosier Women Veterans’ Conference in 2007 with about 150 attendees, Bertrand said.

In 2008, 250 servicewomen showed up for the event, and she said about 300 are expected to arrive at this year’s event.

“They usually have great speakers at the event,” Air Force veteran Cindy Mays said.
Mays, who was in the Air Force for two years, will be attending the conference for her second time.

“We always get up-to-date information from vendors and people like the VA, schools and businesses that relate to women and the military,” she said. “It’s nice being able to get that information and connect with others who have served all in one spot.”

Mays, who was stationed in Michigan during her time in the Air Force, said that she does not see any other women she served with at the conference. However, that has not prevented her from being able to connect with other women veterans.

“Women tend to connect more as veterans,” Mays said.

Bertrand said the bond that women veterans share is different from that of men.

“Women veterans have a very special sisterhood, and the conference gives us a chance to get together and be recognized as veterans,” Bertrand said. “When you think of veterans, you shouldn’t just think of the little old guys with wheelchairs and walkers. This is an opportunity for women, not just men, to say, ‘Hey, we served too.’”