The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs are partnering to host a Women Veterans Summit and Expo on April 17. The Summit will take place from 8 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the N.C. National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters in Raleigh.
The summit will provide women veterans with access to counselors with expertise in claims, healthcare, eBenefits, education and training benefits, VA home loans, women’s business opportunities and more. The event is free and all women who have honorably served in the U.S. military are invited to attend. All veterans are encouraged to bring a copy of their DD Form 214.
“Women make up the fastest growing population of veterans, yet we know that many have yet to seek the benefits they have earned. By bringing together every federal, state and local organization that services veterans, we are offering a one-stop shop for women to learn about virtually any service or benefit that they may be entitled to in a casual and comfortable environment,” said Shenekia Williams-Johnson, the VA’s regional Women Veterans Program manager.
Sponsoring federal partners include the VA’s Health and Benefits Administrations and the Vet Centers. The N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs and the N.C. National Guard are leading state partners that also include the N.C. Department of Administration’s N.C. Council for Women and the Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses. Job seeking services will be provided by both nonprofit partners and the veteran job advisors from the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Solutions.
“We are excited to celebrate women veterans and their service to the state and the nation,” said Ilario Pantano, director of the N.C. Division of Veterans Affairs. “The cooperation of such a wide-range of state, federal, and private partners in this summit and expo is the model for delivering the quality of service our veterans deserve – a true one-stop shop.”
This is the first statewide event dedicated to supporting women veterans in North Carolina. The summit and expo will feature representatives from various service organizations and feature speakers and panel discussions ranging from historical presentations to professional success stories and networking.
The venue is a secure facility and pre-registration is encouraged. Registration and more information can be found at www.NCVRAC.org or by phone at 1-844-624-8387.