The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation will sponsor this year’s 2019 CBCF ALC Veterans Braintrust Forum on Friday, September 13, 2019 at the New Washington Convention Center at 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., room to be announced. The Forum will focus on “Women Veterans: Programs, Policies and Best Practices.” Hon. Sanford Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), and Hon. Anthony Brown (D-MD) are Co-Chairs for this Women and Minority Veterans’ Forum.
On September 7, 2018, newly confirmed VA Secretary Robert Wilkie did not offer any specifics on policies, programs, or best practices to “ensure that the needs of our fighting women are taken care of,” but did acknowledge that women Veterans are the fastest growing demographic group under the Department of Veterans Affairs watch. Adding, approximately 10 percent of the Veterans’ population are women today, and that number is expected to grow beyond 17 percent over the next decade. Equally important, the former top Pentagon official said, more that 250,000 women Service Members are stationed around the world. And the VA must change, as it walks into the remainder of the 21st century.
This Forum will also consist of two panels and a working luncheon session to discuss issues and concerns more in-depth and offer recommendations for future legislative consideration. For more information, please contact Ron Armstead at ronearmstead@gmail.com.