Veterans Empowered Together (V.E.T.) has launched She’s the Vet, a new initiative focused on supporting and connecting female veterans in the Owensboro area. Created by a group of local women who served in the military, the program aims to address the unique challenges faced by female veterans while expanding the organization’s outreach and resources.
When female veterans and V.E.T. board members Melody Wallace and Carlotta Richey realized the majority of women’s veterans’ activities were being held in Indiana, they were inspired to reach out to a few other local female veteran friends to effect change.
“A local women’s veteran organization is important to aid our fellow female veterans with specific-to-female issues, as well as forge a sense of belonging many female veterans don’t feel they’ve earned,” said Richey, a former Army military police officer.
Now five women strong, the group of Army (Natasha Conkright, Carlotta Richey, Melanie Wallace), Air Force (Carie Vanasse-White), and Navy (Melody Wallace) veterans seeks to increase the reach of V.E.T. by helping female vets feel seen and heard in a world that may not always recognize their presence.
“As women, we are often seen as the mom, military spouse, or a member of the auxiliary,” Melody said. “We feel it is time that we are seen for our service as well. Unless we are wearing a shirt designating our branch or speaking at an event, very few people realize that WE are the veteran.”
The “SHE” in the She’s the VET helps to instill the group’s mission to serve, honor, and elevate past, present, and future women in the community who have served in the military. The women hope to not only increase the role and visibility of V.E.T.’s service in the community, but also build a positive network with local recruiters in order to be a resource to young women considering military service.
“One of the most powerful things we can do is come alongside our young women who are entering the military to let them know they are cared about and have a support system while they are in and when they get out,” Melody said. “We have an opportunity to be the people we didn’t have when we enlisted.”
She’s the VET intends to honor the legacies and contributions of past military women by partnering with the Owensboro-Daviess County Veterans Organization to design, plan, and fundraise for a women’s veterans monument along the riverfront in downtown Owensboro. One of the group’s desires is to pay tribute to Owensboro WWII veterans Mary Josephine Oberst and Vivian Hayden Lawton, while also embodying the shared bond of service between multiple generations of women in military service.
While the women welcome the community and camaraderie of a female collective, Army veteran and V.E.T. board member Conkright said the group wants to ensure no one perceives this additional focus on female veteran needs and resources as a gender division among V.E.T.
“The V.E.T. organization was built to serve all who wore the uniform, and that unified mission should always remain at the core,” Conkright said. “But we also have to recognize that female veterans face unique challenges. Having a women’s branch within the larger veteran community doesn’t divide us … it strengthens us. Together, we’re stronger when every veteran has a seat at the table.”
Through local events, wellness initiatives, educational workshops, and a growing network of resources, She’s the VET hopes to build a community where past, present, and future female veterans and service members can feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
“I am proud to stand behind this effort,” said V.E.T. Commander Michael Mixson. “Women veterans are a vital part of our nation’s military history and our local community. She’s the VET gives us the opportunity to not only recognize their service but also provide tailored resources, camaraderie, and advocacy that reflect their experiences.”
The first all-female veteran coffee is scheduled for August 23 at 9 a.m. at Gramps Coffee & Donuts, located at 333 Frederica Street.
The next V.E.T. coffee (for all veterans) will be held August 9 at 9 a.m. at Windy Hollow Biscuit House, located at 630 Emory Drive. Spouses and families are welcome at this event.
