Women Veterans Week kicks off in Virginia with sold-out event

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- This week is Women Veterans Week in Virginia, and 8News spoke with the executive director of the Virginia Community Resource Center in Petersburg and a women veteran liaison to learn more about women veterans in Virginia.

On the morning of Monday, March 17, 8News Anchors Delaney Hall and Autumn Childress spoke to Donna Williams, executive director of the Virginia Community Resource Center in Petersburg, and Kay Currie, women veteran liaison at the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS).

According to Currie, there are more than 110,000 women veterans in Virginia.

Williams is a U.S. Air Force veteran and said women have unique issues that they deal with, and when they are on active duty, they must prioritize these issues accordingly and "carry on."

DVS will hold a luncheon and ceremony on Thursday, March 20 to commemorate Women Veterans Week in Virginia, however, tickets are currently sold out.

Williams said she has attended at least five events held by the DVS.

"It's an opportunity for us to share, reflect [and] just get together and share our wins, our challenges and to learn from each other what's out there for veterans, particularly women veterans," Williams said.

Currie said DVS has a Virginia Veteran's Network, which is available for all veterans interested in getting connected with its services.

Additionally, Williams said the Virginia Community Resource Center in Petersburg helps to educate veterans, family members and tri-city residents on benefits and resources.