June 14, 2017 (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs News Release) - Hundreds of women Veterans from around the country will be coming to Houston this summer for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 2017 National Women Veterans Summit, August 25-26. The Summit, which will also be attended by senior VA leaders and key Veteran stakeholders, is a national-level event that focuses on needs and issues specific to women Veterans. Women veterans account for approximately 10 percent of the U.S. veteran population, which will grow to 15 percent by 2030. Texas has the highest population of women Veterans of any state in the nation.
“I look forward to bringing our national summit to Houston; a city known for its patriotism and commitment to our nation’s heroes,” said Director of VA’s Center for Women Veterans Kayla Williams. “This effort to enhance awareness for women Veterans —through the Summit — will contribute to improving how they are regarded when they come to VA for care and benefits, and how they are treated in their communities.”
The two-day summit will be the first national-level women Veterans summit since 2011; bringing together key stakeholders to identify challenges and opportunities facing women Veterans and a chance to collaborate and share best practices.
“The Houston VA Medical Center opened a brand new state-of-the-art Women’s Health Center in January to serve the growing population of women Veterans seeking VA care here in Houston,” said Frank Vazquez, Director, Houston VA Medical Center. “In fact our population of women Veterans at the medical center has more than doubled in the past five years.”
"The City of Houston has the second largest Veteran population in the country and we are thrilled to welcome women warriors from all over the U.S. to our great city,” said Carl Salazar, Director of the City of Houston’s Veterans Affairs. “Women Veterans in Houston are vibrant and active, contributing to our community in the most significant ways. They are making a huge impact, and it is fitting that our city is the site of this year's national summit.
