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Stephanie Davis

Stephanie started an illegal newspaper at her middle school called The Underground—which was printed on copy paper stapled together—thus beginning her foray into the world of publishing. She went on to be editor of her high school newspaper, worked at The Red and Black (UGA's esteemed newspaper)...

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Celebrate the women who serve

Guest blogger: Intern Margaret

This is my other super smartie intern, Margaret. Read below as she waxes poetic about the holiday we should all be celebrating today! 

The 4th of July is here. Presidential candidates are battling to “out patriot” each other as most of us make plans for barbeques, beer, funnel cakes and local parades. Words like patriotism, usually miles away from my 20-year-old consciousness, are starting to penetrate through my usual back burner of shoe purchases and weekend plans.  Belaboring and attempting to compile a modern day definition of patriotism almost seems fruitless as changing opinions, ages and even gender, value different aspects of small to large acts of sacrifice for the US. A neat, compact Webster definition continues to fail to encompass what most Americans value.

Last Thursday, the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee didn’t come up with a textbook definition, but they certainly broadened one that exists in the national conscious. The committee chose to recognize the all too often ignored American patriot—female soldiers.

The Committee voted to broaden and improve healthcare benefits for returning female veterans. The bill, sponsored by Sen Patty Murray, D-Wash, would greenlight military sexual trauma programs, add more staff and training to the VA and require ongoing studies into problems facing women who receive military treatment. The bill would also help women receiving intensive outpatient care by creating a childcare program.

According to News Tribune writer Les Blumenthal, the number of female veterans receiving medical treatment has skyrocketed in the past 10 years and is expected to double in the next five years.

Blumenthal wrote that female veterans have long complained of male dominated VA hospitals and atmosphere that has been slow when addressing their needs- like mammograms and pap smears.

A quote from Blumenthal’s article:
“While women are playing an increasing role in our military and sacrificing on our front lines, they make up a small fraction of those receiving care at the VA,” Murray said. “We need to ensure that women have equal access to VA health care benefits and services and that the VA health care system is tailored to meet the unique needs of women veterans.”