Michigan’s Women Veterans Conference is an annual event that brings together women veterans from all corners of the state to share their experiences, connect with other veterans, and learn about resources available to them. This was the first year that I didn’t have a conflict with my Army Reserve obligations and was able to participate. The 2023 conference had a different vibe than previous years as it was a professional education and networking conference one day and then a retreat the second day.
The conference kicked off with a keynote address from Jill Hinton Wolfe, an Army veteran. She spoke about the challenges women face with managing our inner critics. With nearly 200 women veterans from all branches and service periods that spread from those still serving today (me!) to Vietnam. Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops and panel discussions on topics such as healthcare and employment. One of the most popular sessions was the Michigan Humanities panel, which featured the ladies responsible for bringing to life the stories of Michigan Women Veterans.
In addition to the workshops, there were also vendors and organizations on hand to provide information and resources to attendees. The whole health team from the Saginaw VA Medical Center set up a room dedicated to health and wellness, offering services such as acupuncture, massage, and aroma therapy.
By now you may be asking yourself why am I sharing this on a blog about family offroad adventures. And it’s pretty simple – family can be more than just blood relations. Being surrounded by women veterans, my sisters-in-arms, and being able to share stories, go on outdoor adventures, and remind ourselves that we deserve some grace. I also co-led a fun fall hiking excursion for over 40 veterans to the nearby Ocqueoc Falls. With my full-time job, I serve on a committee that is working on connecting Michigan veterans to the outdoors as part of a larger veteran suicide prevention/awareness coalition. In other words, being outdoors is not only fun but good for the mind, body, and soul.
Overall, the Michigan Women Veterans Conference was a valuable and empowering experience for all who attended. It provided a space for women veterans to come together, share their stories, and learn from each other. And I truly hope that next year’s conference also does not overlap with any military obligations.
My Offroad Family 