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Rockford Conference Aimed At Women Veterans

VA.gov

Women veterans make up the fasting growing demographic of veterans in Illinois. There are currently 67,000 women veterans in Illinois, accounting for 8.8 percent of the state's veteran population. That is expected to grow to 15 percent by 2035. This weekend, they are invited to attend the Northern Illinois Conference for Women Veterans.

Jessica Parker is helping organize the event. She is a Veteran Services Officer (VSO) for the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs. She says outreach is important for women who are currently serving or have been discharged. 

"It's important that our women veterans know the support that they have not only from our state, but our agency. The federal VA entitlements may be beneficial for them to use in developing their future." 

The conference will include topics such as sexual trauma, post traumatic stress disorder, and entrepreneurship. From there, they can follow-up with a VSO officer based on their individual needs.

When: Saturday, Oct. 26

Where: Veterans Memorial Hall

Time: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

Registration is not required and children may attend as long as they are supervised

Jenna Dooley has spent her professional career in public radio. She is a graduate of Northern Illinois University and the Public Affairs Reporting Program at the University of Illinois - Springfield. She returned to Northern Public Radio in DeKalb after several years hosting Morning Edition at WUIS-FM in Springfield. She is a former "Newsfinder of the Year" from the Illinois Associated Press and recipient of NIU's Donald R. Grubb Journalism Alumni Award. She is an active member of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association and an adjunct instructor at NIU.