NJ NAVY VET LAUNCHES GRASSROOTS CAMPAIGN SERVING FEMALE VETERANS WITH THE SUPPORT OF CONGRESSMAN ANDY KIM

[TRIGGER WARNING: PTSD + MST]

On February 27th, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) released a report highlighting stories of female veterans and their unique mental health experiences. The report shines a light on nine women veterans from different backgrounds who have served in various branches of the armed forces. While their stories vary by their unique experiences, there are shared themes of PTSD, military sexual trauma (MST), depression, thoughts of suicide, and hard-to-access healthcare following their separation from active duty. 

Featured in the report is United States Navy Veteran Jennifer Alvarado. Along with the other women, Alvarado’s story is one that far too many have experienced. Stories of abuse and sexual trauma are devastatingly rampant among female vets. Upon separation from active duty, many of those same women find it challenging to feel heard and understood by the healthcare providers when returning to a civilian lifestyle. The limited access to gender-specific care catering to female veterans’ unique set of needs makes the transition home that much harder. 

While the VA healthcare system has evolved exponentially since women joined the armed forces, the 2024 DAV report highlights the gaps that still remain while suggesting solution-oriented policy and legislative changes that will better serve female veterans. 

As the creator of The Jane Doe Project, an organization that encourages healing through community, self-love, and holistic modalities, Jennifer Alvarado provides space for sacred and safe conversation within her community. 

“The reason I started my grassroots campaign was because I needed something to change my life,” explains Alvarado. “The dark rabbit hole wasn’t working for me, so I started a mission to heal myself, and through healing myself, I’ve been able to help others.” 

As an extension of that grassroots campaign and Alvarado’s commitment to healing the world around her, she was eager to continue the conversation following the release of the report. On Monday, May 20th, Alvarado gathered a group of veterans for a roundtable conversation at the Maple Shade VFW Post 2445. At the table was Congressman Andy Kim along with former United States Navy Admiral and Philadelphia Veterans Hospital Director Karen Flaherty-Oxler.

“I put this round table together on Monday because I felt that if I could put the right people in the room with the right eyes and the right ears, then real change and progress will happen,” shares Alvarado. “We need to be the change that we want to see in the world.”

Also at the table were Army Veteran Adrian Foy, Air Force Veteran Mara Apodaca, Army Veteran and DAV report participant Constance Cotton, military spouse Michelle Maiaroto, and Retired Combat Marine Veteran Kevin Ellicott, all of whom shared their unique experiences in seeking the resources and support that they need as veterans. 

During the hour-and-a-half open forum conversation, Congressman Kim and Director Oxler leaned into the stories being told with ears of understanding. 

“One thing that I hope to work on with this group is making sure we really understand what resources we have here in New Jersey,” stated Congressman Andy Kim in a post-roundtable interview. “If there are things that we don’t have but we need, I will go fight for whatever that is, whether it’s at the local, state, or federal level, and I will try to figure out where to go to be able to provide that.” 

Congressman Kim represents New Jersey’s third congressional district. Several of the main issues that Andy Kim fights for revolve around veterans and their families. As a former civilian advisor in Afghanistan, Kim said, “My career has always been around service members. I saw the challenges that they faced.” 

He went on to state, “I feel grateful that people are willing to share such difficult stories, especially when they’re dealing with the trauma. I can imagine it’s not always easy and comfortable to say that, but I feel really inspired by their selflessness and their willingness to get this into my hands and the hands of others.” 

A veteran herself, Philadelphia Veterans Hospital Director Karen Oxler, shared after the roundtable, “What’s most important is to continue the conversation. The words were powerful today. They told their personal stories and gave us insight into some of the things we can do better, and I’m energized by that as a female veteran and from a leader perspective.” 

Topics discussed included honest conversations about generational trauma, the transition from active duty to veteran, as well as PTSD, and MST. The honesty and transparency shared at the meeting opened the door for continued conversation.

“Women veterans are the fastest-growing demographic of service members,” stated Director Oxler. When you think about that, you must have programs of support and colleagueship that continue throughout their careers because we have more to do.”

With more stories to be shared and work to be done, Alvarado looks to form a committee that bridges the gaps between female veterans in New Jersey and the legislature that serves them. 

“Having the opportunity to have Congressman Andy Kim and Director Oxler there was pretty breathtaking; it felt extremely unreal,” stated Alvarado after the conversation. “It was like sitting at home and having a real conversation with people. Yes, the conversation was tough but we need to be able to have the right people in the right room.” 

Alvarado's work continues as she looks forward to sharing more information and inviting other female veterans to speak up, rediscover their voices, and find the healing they deserve. 

“The DAV’s motto is “We help all veterans,”” states Alvarado. “I love that because there are so many veterans that don’t fit into demographics when it comes to getting aid, and so the fact that the mission is to help “all” is pretty important to me.” 

Contact information: 

Advocacy by Jennifer Alvarado: jennyfurose@gmail.com 

Photos by Grate Vision, LLC: bgrate35@gmail.com

Story by Krystle J Bailey: KrystleJBailey@gmail.com