Vet News: New Members Appointed to VA Committee on Women Veterans

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi today announced the appointment of two new members to the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans, an expert panel that advises him on issues and programs affecting women Veterans.

"This advisory committee contributes in a major way to the success of VA programs affecting women Veterans," Principi said. "It helps VA strengthen health care, benefits, rehabilitation, outreach and other programs for women Veterans."

Established in 1983, the 14-member advisory committee makes recommendations for administrative and legislative changes. The committee members are appointed to two-year terms.

The new committee members include Commander Donna L. Hoffmeier, from Bethesda, Md., and Delegate Winsome Earle Sears, from Norfolk, Va.

Second only to elderly Veterans, women Veterans are the fastest growing segment of the veteran population. There are approximately 1.7 million women Veterans. They comprise 6.5 percent of the total veteran population and 6 percent of all Veterans who use VA health care services. VA estimates that by 2010 women Veterans will comprise 10 percent of Veterans using VA health care services.

VA has women Veterans program managers at 162 hospitals to assist these Veterans on health issues and approximately 73 women Veterans benefits coordinators to assist on benefits issues.

Membership: VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans

• Marsha Tansey Four (Chair), Springfield, Pa. An Army nurse during the Vietnam War, currently director of Homeless Veterans Services for the Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service and Education Center, Inc.

• Gwen M. Diehl, Taylorville, Ill. A retired sergeant first class, staff assistant to the Deputy Director for Operations for the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

• Cynthia J. Falzone, S. Setauket, N.Y. A veteran of the Army, an accredited Veterans service officer for the American Legion and Vietnam Veterans of America, and state Veterans counselor of the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs.

• Bertha Cruz Hall, Fort Worth, Texas. A veteran of the Air Force, retired counselor and Veterans advocate for the Texas Veterans Commission.

• Donna L. Hoffmeier, Bethesda, Md. A retired commander in the Naval Reserve and former professional staff member for the House Committee on National Security.

• Edward E. Hartman, Bowie, Md. A disabled Gulf War veteran, now the national director of Voluntary Services for the Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

• Kathy LaSauce, Alexandria, Va. A retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, California Woman of the Year for 1978 and one of the first 10 women trained as Air Force pilots.

• Lory Manning, Arlington, Va. A retired Navy captain and director of the Women in the Military and Hire a Vet projects at the Women’s Research and Education Institute.

• Kathleen A. Morrissey, Toms River, N.J. An Army nurse in Vietnam, retired colonel in the New Jersey Army National Guard and director of New Jersey’s Veterans Health Care Services.

• Joan E. O’Connor, Boston. A retired commander in the Naval Reserve, currently the General Counsel for the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services.

• Sheryl Schmidt, Sacramento, Calif. A former Air Force staff sergeant, currently Deputy Secretary for Women Affairs with the California Department of Veterans Affairs.

• Lewis E. Schulz II, Walnutport, Pa. A retired Air Force master sergeant, past president of the National Academy for Veterans Service Officers and former director of the Department of Veterans’ Services in Collier County, Fla.

• Winsome Earle Sears, Norfolk, Va. A former corporal of the Marine Corps, currently a delegate in the Virginia House of Delegates.

• Luc M. Shoals, Edmond, Okla. A retired chief master sergeant in the Air National Guard, and former personnel superintendent for the headquarters of the Oklahoma Air National Guard and minority officer recruiter for the Air National Guard.

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Web Site: http://www.va.gov