>> We pay tribute to our nation's heroes, particularly the women veterans in Kentucky of which there are more than 24,000.

We talk with a service organization in Central Kentucky that's assisting female veterans and transitional support to prevent homelessness and so much more learn more now on connections.

♪ ♪ ♪ Thank you for joining us for connections today.

I'm Renee Shaw.

Kentucky is home to more than 24,000 women veterans.

And that number is expected to double in the next 5 years.

Female veterans are 2 to 3 times more likely to be homeless than any other group in the U.S. adult population.

Today we talked with the founder and a board member with an organization called Lady Veterans.

Connect to discuss how it's helping women veterans with housing needs.

Ldc has renovated what was an elementary school in Winchester, Kentucky to house 32 female veterans, perhaps even more.

And here today to tell us all about this bill, a sad but founder of Lady Veterans Connect and board member at a Maddux.

Thank you.

Welcome to both of you for being here.

Thank you for having us.

And it's wonderful to have you.

Happy Veterans Day to you.

When this airs that may have come and gone.

But there's never a bad day to say.

Thank you for all you're doing to help our veterans, particularly our women, veterans and Miss.

Phyllis, I want to come to you for some ask what is Lady Veterans Connect and how did the idea come about?

>> When I found it, lighted veterans connected formally shepherds hands.

It was to work with veterans.

Wasn't sure how.

In 2015 I came back to Lexington and Heather French.

A new was the commissioner, the Kentucky Department veterans Affairs at the time and it was designated as women veterans Year and she had billboards across advertising that so I had done my research and found out there's more in aid for women veterans than any other part of the veteran population and and large part.

And so I had a conversation with her.

And it's move forward from there.

>> Yeah, some is Phils have to ask you about your And you said you were in Germany for a bit.

So can you talk to us about your experience and helping our country?

>> Yeah, Andy Mannix and I served for 24 years.

3 years, active duty in Germany and 21 years.

Army reserves.

Oh, wow.

>> I'm not going to ask you when because that probably was just like yesterday.

Wasn't serving because you're still very You were telling me before we started recording of all the different organizations that you've been a part of and, >> you know, we we learn about the the the pride of veterans and sometimes they don't always want to.

>> Ask for help, right?

Yeah.

Can you can you help us understand why that is tougher for veterans?

Even women veterans to do.

>> Well, I think it's two-fold.

I think sometimes the veterans.

Being a veteran and going to do everything they they have gone through to serve their country.

There's pride no, that's an issue.

They don't want to ask for help because of pride.

Second issues because they don't know what's out there to help them, right, right?

Yeah, yeah.

And that's very interesting.

We hear this time and time again.

We do programs about veterans issues that.

>> The resources while they seem plentiful, veterans don't know where to go.

Why is that and and how how are you trying to fill that void of helping really, literally connect them.

>> We're doing a lot of things with women, veterans in general like the summer.

The first we when when a street tree coming up, empower her.

It's just to to make her feel special.

Yeah, and we some other programs available to what she's there's if she wants to take advantage of them.

But just time to impact empower them to be the women that they are and be able to be proud of who they are because they deserve that they served and they put their lives on the line today.

Service to our country and we need to help them.

We just did on Saturday.

Not we had our 3rd annual gala.

And went for women.

Veterans to honor them and they had a good time for a lot of families in a country theme this with some country music.

And I think they'll dance and had a great.

>> Have to line dance in Yeah.

That worked out right?

Right.

And giving not just always talking about, you know, your service and the things that we'll discuss about.

>> Trauma and homelessness.

But given them an outlet for fun ride and camaraderie because we know that's really important for them to connect with others who had the life experience of being in the military, which not, you lot of a civilian just can't relate to, right?

Yeah.

that's wonderful.

And we know that there are all kinds of activities at the time that we recorded this leading up to Veterans Day.

And we have a special program on K E T on the 13th about honoring our Kentucky veterans.

And we'll hear from a lot of them have issues that they face.

Homelessness.

You Miss Abbott.

You know, that's a big issue and a growing issue for women veterans.

Why is that and why is it so much worse than men?

>> Because you don't see women veterans on the You'd they don't identify as veterans most.

The time when they go into one of your shelters, they're not ask if they're a veteran.

just sit there.

Woman been there and that a lot of our women veterans will not go to the shelters.

They'll sleep in an old car sleep in a shed somewhere.

Unfortunately catches on.

Somebody is bad.

Maybe they should me on right.

>> You can talk to us Maddux why they don't feel like they can identify more readily as veterans.

Well, I I believe because sometimes maybe the way we asked not to understanding of what a veteran is.

>> Versus being asked.

Have you served?

I can relate to be in asked, have you served?

I got a timeline for that.

I served from this time to that time.

But if you're asked, are you a veteran?

Most people think you had to be in for 20 years, right?

Or maybe gone to some conflict.

And there's a lot of in between, you know, so it's that question first.

That needs to be yes, heavy serve.

All right.

Yeah, that's that's a good lesson for the rest of Have you serve you right back dealing with the homeless issue said sometimes they're staying where maybe perhaps they shouldn't.

And as we said at the beginning of the program, that's only expected to increase the incidence of women veterans who are unhoused.

But the youth you're helping and Winchester with this great a once in elementary school that she really have to be this awesome transitional housing space.

Talk to us about that.

>> It the problem is the site where they can stay up to a year.

But if they only want to say we've had some comes that 3 weeks or 2 they're not actually homeless are just going to a rough time in their life.

They just need a quiet, a place to heal.

That they can come in lead up to a year and whether they are we just give them time to.

Just 2.

I feel safe.

Yeah, that's important.

Then we offer them it.

If they're interested classes had to do that, a resume how to jobs, skilled develop the skills.

We have a board member that works for job ready.

That said when they're ready when he will help them do their resume and find a job.

So we kind of bring the program to gather we do some attrition classes and we do some fun things And if possible, we try to restore relationships with a family member.

That's not always possible cause.

I still sometimes that want to.

Yeah.

>> And this is at no cost to them at no cost and they can stay up to a year.

Do you have an edge age range?

That's typical.

>> What I started, lighting veterans connect.

I thought our women would be product.

30 to 45.

Maybe our youngest.

It's been 48 under all.

This has been 73.

>> Oh, my goodness.

Why breaks your heart to think of someone in their 70's and dealing with unstable housing right, for whatever reason that acts even the, you know, the tears kind of welling up in your eyes.

I mean, you know, you have a soft spot in your heart for for older people and particularly veterans.

I went through these tough times and some of them particularly router ones.

>> I serve a time of peace.

Time after or 2 and I don't consider them consider themselves as veterans and they didn't get their service health care at the VA.

So I'm working with and help them see getting roles or health care there.

And then to get income base housing that could make him qualified, be and if possible to get them to VA benefits app income coming in that have allowed them to have.

We have independently in income base housing right?

>> And so they do go on to live independently writer.

I do.

And unfortunately, I do the people cycle back around to you.

Sometimes sometimes same situations that perhaps that I had already experienced as a board member.

How does it strike you when you know someone in their in their 70's comes in, they need they need a place.

>> It said no matter what the age is, it's really sad because a lot of times, you know, as personally as volunteers are board members, we can't help.

You know, we're not.

Educate.

Our are enough to have those skills to help that we're helping by a place to stay.

Yeah, by someone being there and because of what we do, we are connected with all the other local agencies nonprofit, you have American Legion, VFW use other nonprofits like job Ready Vet who helps with jobs mountain com care.

Those are all the local and honestly the local agencies do a lot of the the legwork.

But then we offer and no people in that in the state agencies like KTVA, right?

We're well equipped in knowing all the folks who can happen at the V a, which is the federal level.

So it's actually 3 tier.

And with us being in this world, we know all those agencies in context so we can help them.

We definitely know people can.

>> Right now and that's the other thing.

There are so many services.

You don't know where to start, right?

I you know, we all sometimes have that problem are in need not knowing where to start.

And we're so glad that you all know where to start.

Well, we want to pivot now for just a to talk about some of that happened.

Amazing.

And last year for years, the honor flight of Kentucky has recognized the service that veterans and Kentucky had given their country by taking them on a daylong adventure to Washington, D.C., then the summer of 2022, the honor flight organized a trip for a group of veterans often overlooked visiting the monuments and memorials built to honor those who sacrificed so much for their fellow countryman.

This flight was a special day for the women who served.

>> On 6/11/2020 to 134 women veterans from around Kentucky gathered for breakfast at Blue Grass Airport.

The beginning of the first all female veterans trip organized by honor Flight Kentucky.

>> Honor Flight mission is to fly veterans from World War 2, the Korean War and Vietnam War to DC for a one-day all expenses paid trip to visit a memorial dedicated to their service.

We decided we needed an all female fight because first of all, it never been done before in Kentucky, but women deserved that to the special event to bond with each other and this multigenerational.

I tripped to honor their service.

>> I said at the table and they were 8 of us different services all around and there was 130 years combined service to the military, the Army, Navy Air Force Marines in a people which >> Headed to their plane.

These veterans of different generations and conflicts.

We're greeted by members of Rolling Thunder, longtime supporters of honor flight holding an American flag high overhead as a sendoff for these women.

♪ What action and flag.

>> And musically he feel that tradition in your heart.

All of the memories come back to why we're here was our rationale for joining the military to support and serve our country no matter what.

>> Smiles and joy turned to somber moments for veterans like Ashley Hawkins of Harrisburg in Iraq.

Hawkins earned a Bronze Star with valor and what would become known as the Palm Sunday ambush when her nine-member unit was called on to hold off over 50 insurgents attacking an American convoy.

As their flight left the terminal received a water cannon salute and the voices of these 130 for veterans.

Still the plate.

♪ Patriotic singing continued as the group was greeted at Reagan Airport by the West Point Glee club.

The first stop for these veterans was the women's memorial for military service dedicated at Arlington Cemetery and 1997.

Each would receive a plaque inducting them into the museum.

>> So we inducted every single one of them into the women's memorial for military service in Arlington.

One of the memorials that is dedicated solely to the mail service.

I think that was very special for them.

>> Following lunch was a solemn moment for all veterans as it is with all Americans, the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

>> This special honor flight would visit the World War 2 memorial and then it was on to the Lincoln Memorial while appreciating all the hours actually brought him in and organization of volunteers had put into their trip.

Everyone was overwhelmed at how at every stop.

>> There were groups greeting and honoring these women who had served their country.

It almost makes you want to cry.

>> Because it's so truly emotional to see the people that here so much to be right there in front of you all the other veterans standing in supporting you.

>> Flanking the famed reflecting pool extending before Abraham Lincoln.

Our memorials to those who served in Korea and Vietnam.

Many on this honor flight.

Remember what their service meant to them and 2 others.

>> I always look back on my service and look at all the amazing things I got to do.

You know, I got to build schools for girls that got to enjoy those schools for 20 years.

And what I hope to believe that those girls in Afghanistan, there's 20 years of education for those women right there.

>> Perhaps the most moving moment of the day was a wreath laying ceremony at the statue dedicated to the nurses who served in Vietnam.

The names of 8 nurses are etched forever on the wall.

Frankie's a lasnik of Lexington was a nurse in Vietnam who found herself crawling under enemy fire across her medical compound to get to wounded soldiers needing her help along with fellow Kentuckyian Marge Graves and Kathy Graham back.

They remembered the legacy of the women who put their lives in harm's way.

>> All my them drains.

She may no longer allow all the men took care of.

We didn't make it.

Hit me until they find cash And their home I think we're the only to hear that is from the from our units for me to get to be a part of en plus Frankie and take 3 to the Vietnam Memorial.

>> We've been able kind of sharing her memories, too.

It's nice to be able to be a part of that.

>> This honor flight had one last stop.

The Marine memorial of evil Jima where they were greeted by a 21 gun salute.

Again.

It was a moment that connected each veteran with all the women who have worn our country's uniform.

>> It's been the most amazing well planned, thoughtful day ever.

I spent most of my military career alone and that the need to spend it amongst all these amazing women with their own amazing stories and just it's been overwhelming >> I'm back on the plane after a 15 hour trip.

This all female flight would have one more welcome upon disembarking at Bluegrass Terminal.

They found it filled with a cheering crowd, thanking them for their service and same.

>> Comments afterwards were that they weren't even welcome town like that when they return from deployment.

And so it was it's sealed the deal for the day and letting them know they are appreciated and that their service matters.

♪ >> Well, I have seen that as I've shared with you many, many times and every time I get chills and I can't imagine because you were there that was, you know, your hair was had in a ponytail and I'm trying really hard to compose I mean, I know that you think about that day foreign like the was the one thing that I heard there is that I felt alone during my service.

Yes, but they didn't that day right?

Yeah.

You still that same?

My?

Yes, yes.

And that's what we're doing together in with all our volunteers and all are board members.

>> And all the people we meet throughout the state of Kentucky is that what happened after that is still going?

Yeah.

People are still meeting for lunches and dinners and take it easy to retreat.

And so I feel like.

By then event, where were all holding hands around Kentucky.

We're doing things together now.

More and because of that, we're able to help each other more.

Yeah, you know, you get a call and somebody crying and and and you want to help them.

And really all they want is your year I or she gets a call in today.

You know, I don't have nowhere to go and she can town come on.

We have a place for you.

And so but that that would it's got of visited many times, too.

But it's a day.

>> Never had been done before.

I think I was shocked to learn that this was the first all female honor flight way overdue for believe only a couple other state and then it Kentucky.

>> Had as yeah.

So it was a first for Kentuckyian and what they do, you know, as a volunteer when I did a couple things for honor Flight, Kentucky, you never know how much is involved every step from the beginning?

You leave or arrive at the airport to the time you come back and go home.

It is jam packed full of appreciation and love and gratitude and it's you just walk out into airport when you came home and just that Epsilon people are just yeah, not keeping it together they understand each other better and and you met all these 144 of us.

That's a good to go on that.

And and we're still just ear today cause they want to meet at something or somewhere.

And that's what we're doing.

And then Kentucky Historical Society did that big women veterans does and it's still ongoing and they're adding to it There's going to be open mic there pretty soon.

And I'm hoping we can go back in, you know, get together again, at that we should to be there to share those moments if they're not too intimate.

>> Right, because we think it's important.

Said to lift up our veterans and the times of celebration and then to have that camaraderie, you know, that's what you're in this for that, right?

I mean, that's the reward when you seen yes type, I mean, 15 hours, condensed to 6 minutes and 30 That just wasn't motions are kind of like, okay, it is just it was very, very emotional.

Ashley and her team of volunteers at that time.

And and everybody that puts in.

>> All the hours of hard work.

And we know that when we put on a vent, we know how much it takes.

We just want people to come enjoy that.

That is a super organization who did a super great things for veterans right?

>> And so now what?

Where is your work?

I mean, same is you're doing.

Do you see expanding in some way?

>> We will continue to try to expand and grow.

The hardest thing right now is getting women venture to say I help them.

There are so reluctant to help ask for help.

And so we need people and the community if they find a woman veteran that has a need place to send them >> And we need to learn to say not.

Are you a veteran, but have you served as the served as you served and it's more than just getting a discount on a weekend or a day right through this is ongoing to help veterans, particularly female veterans.

And, you know, there are some startling to statistics about women who've endured military sexual trauma and things that are very, very difficult to talk about.

Do these women and their time of having so much physical need then do you learn about maybe some of the emotional made yes and trauma that they've held for years.

>> And we have that center has a really good program that we have tapped into.

And it's always available to us.

They have creep as Sessions once a week.

As for women veterans, PTSD in where they going.

We going in the sky and participate in those meetings and a former really good support group for them.

And then we have some as it comes and our place and does things with them to a particularly just time to spend time with them as what they need more than anything.

Price to feel safe and know that they're appreciated and loved.

Yeah.

>> That's so important, isn't it is?

Yeah.

Yeah.

When when you all now are we having these little small communities that stem from 144 view spending that special day in June 2022, how real are the conversations?

>> It depends on the activity right?

And there are some activity that we do that.

Well, you not only need a safe place and talk about it and talk to tissues.

But a lot of them just want connection and doing tempting fan.

Yeah.

And then you'll see the conversations happen.

You'll see the hugs.

You'll see the tears.

Being together is one that that happens.

And when people open up and being one of those organizations that can help with that is very special.

And I think that's what keeps us dry been.

Yeah.

And keeps us going in wanting to do it.

>> Yeah.

Yeah.

So what would you say to people who are watching who are were calm, civilians right on how they can help support our veteran community and particularly our our female veteran community.

What would you ask of U.S.?

>> Recognition is always nice.

You know, if you are asked if somebody heard me getting a 10% discount at lows, I would want somebody turn around and say, hey, so use earned and thank you for your service goes a long way in I did it for a program that was I'm not invisible.

And Liz Extrovert who used to work at the CW, the Center for Women Veterans.

It in DC came up with this and that got a lot of tension.

We don't want to be invisible and their photos taken in those photos are at the VA in the Women's Center.

and that goes a long way.

So people there are so many awesome stories.

I heard.

Yeah, you know, we have our own as women veterans but hearing everybody else is and what they did and where they've been.

You know, they just want to be heard and they just want to thank you.

Yeah, I'll probably just like the man.

That's right.

Just like the man that just the other thing, if if they want to help.

Nonprofits, like I said, we're boots on the Graham who we get the nitty-gritty.

We know what out there.

What's needed.

Nonprofits need help.

You know, if you want to be a sponsor, if you want to do a fundraiser, right?

That's where we need help to KET the live on here.

Or Molly volunteer.

Yes.

Well, thank you for your service and >> And thank you for yours, right?

I'm sorry, man.

I didn't serve in the military and serving now serving.

Now.

That's right.

Is the best service.

One service to others.

Right?

And that's what your career has been about.

And so we thank you so very much.

And our gratitude to all the veterans and all those who are actively serving.

>> To protect our freedoms.

This has been a great addition of connections.

Happy Veterans Day and for all the women.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you for serving our country.

You can connect with me on Facebook, Instagram.

Listen to our preview shows on podcast as well until I see you again.

Take really good care.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪