The theme was female empowerment last Thursday when the Veterans Affairs department on campus hosted the Women Warrior Wellness Conference.
The day’s itinerary stated that “the purpose of the Women Warrior Wellness program is to expand existing services to include veteran students and members of the community.”
At 10 a.m., the Opening Ceremony began with Lt. Col. Doral Gonzalez of the United States Army, as the Master of Ceremonies, leading the event with the Presentation of the Colors.
Four female members of the Ripon High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) did the Presentation of the Colors along with Col. Patrick Dunn. The presentation was flawless, as was the voice of the JROTC woman who sang the National Anthem.
Vocalist Marsha Borrelli-Silva, an alumna of California State University, Stanislaus, dedicated an original song she wrote to the U.S. women who serve.
After an introduction by U.S. Air Force Captain and CSU Stanislaus Veteran Student Group Advisor, Michael Igoe, President Joseph Sheley addressed those in attendance, thanking everyone for the opportunity to host such a conference on our campus.
Sheley had much to say, not only about his experience with ROTC at Sacramento State but also about the veterans services here on campus.
“I’ve been very proud of our veterans services and programming here,” said Sheley. “Since the day I got here, I looked it up, we’re ahead of most campuses in the system.”
Also in attendance was Patrick O’Rourke from the California State University Chancellor’s office. The office had a temporary position for Veterans Affairs starting in 2006. Just recently, the position became permanent.
Ricky Powell, the Veteran Liaison from U.S. Congressman Jeff Denham’s office, spoke on his experience as a wounded veteran.
Linda Shelton, U.S. Army Women’s Army Corps, spoke on the history of women in the military, her speech based on a presentation she gave at a Veterans Day service this past November.
Her personal speech started off with her experience in the Women’s Army Corps. She began her service in a women-only Army, but served through the transition of women into the regular military.
In a later conversation, the difficulties of that transition were revealed. She exposed that much pride was lost.
“The band that I was in was a special band—very dressy, very showy. It was a showcase,” Shelton recalled about her time as a percussionist in the Women’s Army Corps.
When she moved into the regular military, she was sent to South Korea, one of the first women to do so.
“I went to a place where I wore fatigues for gigs—a place that was predominantly male. They didn’t even have restrooms for us,” Shelton recalled about her experience in the regular military.
“I was still a drummer, but when there was an alert, I drew an M16.”
Among the numerous guests was Gail Belmont, the founder of Quilts of Honor.
Her non-profit organization makes quilts to present to veterans who were wounded while serving, received a purple heart award or who are living with brain injuries.
Gail honored three guests with quilts, including Linda Shelton and Ricky Paul.
Later in the day, there were three panel presentations, one of which was about the University’s Veterans Services that had five representatives from different centers across campus.
Following that was a panel on the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System Comprehensive Primary Care for Women. The panels concluded with the Women Veteran Mental Health Panel Speakers.
The evening program was held in the Faculty Development Center. Two special musical guests performed — the Bay Area American Indian Two-Spirits and the Turtle Women Rising.
“I love our center, but here’s the piece that I’m really happy about and proud of,” President Sheley said. “We haven’t just created a place — we’ve created a place for veterans to go to be with folks who’ve had similar experiences and need transition attention.”