Each May, we are inundated with advertising from jewelers, florists, and other retailers promising the "perfect" Mother's Day gift. How did Mother's Day morph into a shopping spectacle that rivals any other holiday of the year?!? It all seems so inadequate -- and absurd -- when I consider the many, many sacrifices my own mother had made for me over the years, sacrifices that mothers make for their children on a daily basis without even stopping to think.
This week's headlines turned my thoughts to the tens of thousands of courageous mothers who are members of our nation's military. These selfless women have made the ultimate sacrifice -- not just for their own families, but for all of American's children -- by choosing to serve in America's Armed Forces. Women now make up 15 percent of the United States military, and they are the fastest-growing segment of the veteran population. According to a 2009 report by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, more than 40 percent of women on active duty have children, and more than 30,000 single mothers have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Try finding the "right" gift in a department store to thank these mothers!!
There is no question that these mothers' military service comes at a cost to their families. According to the California Research Bureau, active duty military mothers report higher rates of emotional problems and mental illness than servicewomen without children. Women in the military divorce at a rate higher than their male counterparts, and are significantly more likely to be single parents. Across all ages and segments, women veterans are more likely to suffer from mental illness, experience homelessness, and to commit suicide than women who choose not to serve in the military. And, not surprisingly, their children also pay a huge price for their mothers' commitment. The Rand Corporation recently reported that children whose parents have been deployed for over 19 months are more likely to experience academic difficulties and exhibit emotional and behavioral problems in school settings.
Despite their willingness to make these sacrifices on behalf of our nation, it is both heartbreaking and frustrating to realize that these women often leave their military service only to face daunting challenges when they re-enter civilian life. They are frequently denied recognition and unable to access the benefits and services they have more than earned -- and require to successfully reintegrate. BPW Foundation research pinpoints a critical piece of this puzzle: Too many women veterans fail to self-identify as veterans and miss the opportunity to learn about, much less participate in, the broad range of support services for which they are eligible. And, since many public and private sector tools, services, and programs for veterans are still largely designed with men in mind, women veterans are further "penalized" for their service to our nation.
This year, find a truly meaningful way to show Mom how much you appreciate all the sacrifices she made for you. Take a pass on the flowers, jewelry, and myriad other "perfect" Mother's Day gift ideas. Choose instead to recognize and thank the women veterans in your community. And together join BPW Foundation's Joining Forces for Women Veterans, and help provide support and resources for women veterans and their families as they return to civilian life.
Last month, the White House officially launched Joining Forces, a national initiative to mobilize private and public sectors of our society to help military families and veterans access the opportunities and support they have earned. At the invitation of First Lady Michelle Obama, I attended the April 12th announcement of this initiative. It was an honor to be recognized by the White House for BPW Foundation's efforts on behalf of women veterans and we are grateful to be able to participate in this important endeavor.
A major objective of our Joining Forces program is to enable women veterans to find and utilize the diverse benefits due them, helping them connect with other women veterans through scholarships, a career center, Connect-A-Vet resources, Facebook, and Twitter. We will soon be implementing a mentoring program for military spouses and women veterans, and we invite you to play a role in this project. To read a blueprint for our Joining Forces for Women Veterans campaign, visit the BPW Foundation website. To hear first hand from women veterans, check out our recently posted YouTube video from our Joining Forces for Women Veteran's Summit.
Visit www.womenjoiningforces.org to find out what you can do to support women veterans on this Mother's Day. Your mother will be proud--just as we are proud of the incredible women who serve our nation in the US military.