{"id":37390,"date":"2020-06-17T09:00:13","date_gmt":"2020-06-17T09:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/06\/17\/in-an-era-of-fostering-inclusivity-the-department-of-veterans-affairs-fails-again\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T06:21:44","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T06:21:44","slug":"in-an-era-of-fostering-inclusivity-the-department-of-veterans-affairs-fails-again","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/opinion\/commentary\/2020\/06\/17\/in-an-era-of-fostering-inclusivity-the-department-of-veterans-affairs-fails-again\/","title":{"rendered":"In an era of fostering inclusivity, the Department of Veterans Affairs fails again"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Department of Veteran Affairs recently announced its intent to install new bronze plaques bearing a quote from Lincoln\u2019s second inaugural address. It reads, \u201cTo care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan” at each of the nation\u2019s 140 VA cemeteries<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the past weeks have taught us anything, it is that words matter. White-washing histories means stories and lives of so many are unrecognized and similarly, gender-washing our VA cemeteries only serves to keep the contributions of women service members invisible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Women are the fastest growing group of veterans and there are currently nearly half a million who use at least one form of VA benefits. Instead of using this knowledge to create a more gender-inclusive VA, the secretary has decided it is more important to honor the words of a long-deceased president than the service of those he is charged to serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Veterans Affairs motto displayed outside department headquarters is seen on Feb. 20, 2018. (Leo Shane III\/Staff)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is not the first time the VA has failed women. VA hospitals have been reported to be threatening and dangerous environments for women service members and recognition for female needs<\/a> ranging from infertility to safety are long overdue. Women veterans are less likely than men to seek care at VA, and advocates say that\u2019s due at least in part to gender and sexual harassment by male veterans at VA hospitals and clinics. Instead of rectifying the problems from within the department, it seems it is digging in its heels to continue to make women feel as if they are unvalued pieces of the war-fighting machine.<\/p>\n\n\n\t