The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just and Equitable
GlobalMindED closes the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline through connections to role models, mentors, internships for low-income students, returning adults, First Gen to college and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them.
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Bridging the Gap: Combat Female Veterans Female United's Commitment to Supporting Combat Female Veterans
Who is Combat Female Veterans Female United?
CFVFU, founded in 2017, is a nonprofit organization primarily operated by female veterans from all military branches. Our mission is to provide transition services to combat female veterans and their families, supporting life after war. CFVFU operates from an advantageous position, operated for and by Combat Female Veterans representing all military branches who have already navigated transitioning to life after war. With a deep understanding of these veterans' specific trials as they transition back to civilian life, we are uniquely positioned to serve and support them. We act as a conduit between these military heroes and the vital resources they need for long, healthy, and fulfilling lives after war.
What is the mission and vision of CFVFU?
Mission: To provide transition services to Combat Female Veterans and their families, supporting life after war. We directly confront the issue and lack of support services to address the unique and multi-layered post-deployment obstacles female Veterans and their families face when transitioning to the civilian world in our community.
Vision: Combat Female Veterans and their families will have a family-driven, parenting-concerned organization to encourage their cycle of reintegration, independence, safety, happiness, and success for their homes, secondary education, jobs, and communities. CFVFU is a conduit between these military heroes and the vital resources they need to ensure long, healthy, and fulfilling lives after war.
What are the biggest challenges you face in achieving your mission?
Combat Female Veterans Families United (CFVFU) faces several challenges in achieving its mission of supporting combat female veterans and their families. Some of the biggest challenges include:
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Lack of Awareness: One significant challenge is the need for more awareness about the specific needs and experiences of combat female veterans and their families. Many people may not fully understand the unique challenges faced by these women and their loved ones, which can make it difficult to garner support and resources.
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Limited Funding: Like many nonprofit organizations, CFVFU may face financial constraints that limit their ability to provide comprehensive support. Funding is vital for offering essential programs, services, and resources to combat female veterans and their families. Without adequate funding, it can be challenging to meet the diverse needs of this community.
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Access to Resources: Another challenge is ensuring that combat female veterans and their families have access to the necessary resources and services in their local communities. Accessibility can vary depending on geographical location, making it harder for some individuals to access the support they need. CFVFU must work towards increasing accessibility and bridging any gaps in service provision.
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Mental Health Support: Combat female veterans and their families often face significant mental health challenges, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and trauma-related issues. However, there may be a lack of specialized mental health services specifically tailored to meet their needs. CFVFU must advocate for improved mental health support and ensure that appropriate resources are available.
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Transition to Civilian Life: Transitioning from military to civilian life can be a complex and challenging process for combat female veterans and their families. Adjusting to civilian culture, securing employment, accessing healthcare, and building social networks can present difficulties. CFVFU aims to provide guidance and assistance during this transition, but the overall system needs improvement to support this population better.
Despite these challenges, CFVFU remains committed to its mission and continues to advocate for the needs of combat female veterans and their families. Through awareness campaigns, fundraising efforts, partnerships with other organizations, and ongoing advocacy, CFVFU strives to address these challenges and provide the support and resources necessary for this community's well-being and success.
What services and programs does CFVFU offer?
CFVFU team develops programs and projects aligned with the needs of our valued Combat Female Veterans (defined as female service members who have actively served in hostile territories during periods of war regardless of their roles). Our programs fall into three primary categories: Transition, Economy, and Advocacy (what we refer to as our T.E.A.), with a solid commitment to the current projects:
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Deployment Outreach: Connecting and building relationships with military females actively serving in a combat zone.
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Economic Assistance: Providing limited financial assistance to address emergent Combat Female Veterans’ needs during transition (housing, food, and utility specific)
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Support Services: Support groups, education, and mentoring to help them develop pathways toward successful civilian integration, promoting wellness and economic independence, and leaving them more self-sufficient in their pursuits.
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Lives Transformed: Advocating for the needs of female Veterans and their families- at the local, state, and national level.
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Women of Combat: A yearly honor to “Outstanding Combat Female Veterans of North Carolina” for their demonstrable “life after war” contributions.
Through our programs and projects, CFVFU strives to achieve sustainable improvements in the life of all female Veterans through the process of social economic development and livelihood improvement. This is done by addressing the economics and wellness of women Veterans by focusing on the fundamental barriers that impede women’s access to economic opportunity. These barriers include inequalities in the care economy and limited access to employment and financing opportunities. Gender inequalities and biases in the community’s economic systems can be improved or rectified with programs in place that represent the targeted population.
What inspired your organization's founding?
History: When Army Combat Veteran Sandra Robinson returned from the war in 1991, no community services or transitioning programs were available. She returned to nursing school and graduated in 1992. Secretly battling her struggles of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and military sexual trauma (MST), she continued life not identifying as a veteran but always looking for answers. The world was not receptive to mental health, and if you shared your thoughts in the nursing field –chances were you would no longer be able to practice. After twenty-six years of returning home from war and working at Veteran Affairs, there was still a significant disparity in community services for veterans, specifically females. She finally understood her mission in life. She could no longer stand by and wait for others to fix the issues. Female veterans needed and deserved community-based gender-specific services, with less than 10% of females using the VA healthcare system.
Combat Female Veterans Families (CFVFU) was founded in 2017. CFVFU recognized the disparity of community organizations focused on female veterans' gender-specific needs and became dedicated to significantly contributing to the solution. CFVFU established programs and projects to provide local disabled and economically disadvantaged female veterans and their families with an environment where they will feel supported and empowered to live their best lives. CFVFU has a tradition of innovation and working to fill gaps in support service needs for female veterans and their families, meeting the needs that no other community service meets.
CFVFU is chiefly operated by Female Veterans representing all military branches. We have a unique understanding of the trials Combat Female Veterans face as they transition home. We are uniquely positioned to serve and support this population – our sisters in arms.
Tell us about the women you serve.
Combat Female Veterans Families United (CFVFU) is an organization that provides support and assistance to women who have served in combat roles in the military and their families. CFVFU specifically focuses on addressing the unique needs and challenges these women veterans and their loved one’s face.
The organization serves women who have served in combat roles across all branches of the military, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. These women have played crucial roles in defending their country and have made significant sacrifices in doing so.
CFVFU recognizes that female veterans face distinct challenges and experiences during and after their service. They may encounter difficulties related to mental health, physical injuries, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sexual trauma, and transitioning back into civilian life. CFVFU aims to provide a supportive community, resources, and programs that cater to the specific needs of these women veterans.
In addition to serving the female veterans themselves, CFVFU also extends its support to the families of these veterans. The families of combat female veterans often bear the weight of their loved one's deployments, injuries, and emotional struggles. CFVFU acknowledges the importance of providing assistance and resources to help these families cope with their unique challenges.
CFVFU focuses on creating a sense of camaraderie, empowerment, and resilience among its members. They offer various support services, including peer mentoring, counseling, advocacy, educational resources, and financial assistance, to help combat female veterans and their families successfully navigate post-military life.
Overall, Combat Female Veterans Families United serves women who have served in combat roles and their families, acknowledging their sacrifices, and providing them with the support necessary to thrive in their personal and professional lives after their military service.
How can organizations like GlobalMindED help support the mission of CFVFU?
Organizations like GlobalMindED can play a crucial role in supporting the mission of Combat Female Veterans Families United (CFVFU). Here are some ways that GlobalMindED can help:
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Awareness and Education: GlobalMindED can help raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by combat female veterans and their families. Organizing events, conferences, and workshops can provide platforms for discussion and education, bringing attention to the specific needs of this community.
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Networking and Collaboration: GlobalMindED can facilitate networking and collaboration opportunities between CFVFU and other organizations, businesses, and government agencies. By forging partnerships, they can help expand the reach of CFVFU's programs and services, ensuring that combat female veterans and their families receive the comprehensive support they need.
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Fundraising and Financial Support: GlobalMindED can assist CFVFU in securing funding and financial resources. They can leverage their network of donors, sponsors, and philanthropists to raise funds for CFVFU's initiatives. This financial support is crucial for CFVFU to provide vital programs and services to combat female veterans and their families.
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Mentorship and Career Development: GlobalMindED can offer mentorship programs and career development opportunities specifically designed for combat female veterans and their families. By connecting them with industry professionals, mentors, and job placement services, GlobalMindED can assist in their transition to civilian life, helping them find meaningful employment and build fulfilling careers.
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Advocacy and Policy Influence: GlobalMindED can use its platform and influence to advocate for policy changes that address the needs of combat female veterans and their families. By highlighting the unique challenges they face and advocating for improved services, benefits, and support systems, GlobalMindED can contribute to positive changes at the policy level.
Overall, GlobalMindED can provide valuable support to Combat Female Veterans Families United by raising awareness, facilitating collaboration, securing funding, offering mentorship, and advocating for policy changes. Together, these efforts can help ensure that combat female veterans and their families receive the support they deserve.
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Highlights from the 2023 GlobalMindED Annual Conference this past June:
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PBS12 Denver filmed and live-streamed the 2023 GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Awards on June 7th as well as our main stage plenaries and presentations on June 8th. You can find them all individually on the GlobalMindED YouTube channel.
2023 GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Award Winners' introductions and acceptance remarks:
Miriam Calderon, Chief Policy Officer, ZERO TO THREE: Inclusive Leader - Early Childhood Education
Dr. David Miyashiro, Superintendent, Cajon Valley Union School District, Inclusive Leader - K-12 Education
Carrie Billy, CEO, American Indian Higher Education Consortium: Inclusive Leader - Higher Education
Afua Bruce, Founder & Principal, ANB Advisory Group: Inclusive Leader - Government
Dr. Elena Rios, President & CEO, National Hispanic Medical Association: Inclusive Leader - Health & Wellness
Hassan Salem, Head of Commercial Banking, US Bank: Inclusive Leader - Banking & Finance
Greg Robinson, James Webb Space Telescope Project Director NASA (ret): Inclusive Leader - Space & Aerospace
Mary Nichols, Professor, UCLA Institute of the Environment, Inclusive Leader - Energy & Sustainability
Michael Campbell, General Manager, Education Division, Intel: Inclusive Leader - Technology
Diego Mariscal, CEO & Chief Disabled Person, 2Gether-International: Inclusive Leader - Entrepreneurship
Mario Carrera, President & CEO, CLLARO: Inclusive Leader - Media & Arts
Nasruddin Rupani, Chairman, Ibn Sina Foundation: Inclusive Leader - Foundations & Funders
Rosanna Durruthy, VP, Global Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, LinkedIn: Inclusive Leader -Global Impact
Kimberly Bryant, Founder & CEO, Black Innovation Lab; Black Girls Code: Inclusive Leader - Non-Profit
Click below to see Insights from GlobalMindED Leaders:
View the Main-stage Presentations:
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View the Sessions from our United Nations Event: Transforming Financial Boundaries |
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Carla Harris, Vice Chairman, Morgan Stanley and James Rhee, Founder/Owner, red helicopter
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Michael Maquet-Diafouka, Managing Director, Global Family and Institutional Wealth, UBS, Chris Marsh, Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor, UBS,Janet C. Salazar, Chairman & President, Foundation for the Support of the United Nations
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Tyler Naha, Student, Denver East High School, Dr. Mary Papazian, Exec. VP, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Dr. Philomenta Mantella, President, Grand Valley State University, Dr. Yustina Saleh, Managing Director, Innovation Solutions, The Burning Glass Institute, Alfonzo Alexander, Chief Ethics & Diversity Officer, National Association of State Boards of Accountancy
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Dr. D'Andre Weaver, Chief Digital Equity Officer, Digital Promise, Michael Woods, President, Woods Capital, the Honorable Dr. Kimberly McClain, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department HUD, Preston James, II, Co-Founder and CEO, Divinc, Gaby Rowe, Founding Principal, Grow Associates
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Dr. Craig Jonas, Founder and CEO, CoPeace, Victoria Vasques, Owner & Chairwoman, Tribal Tech LLC, Sachin Chaudhry, Founder and CEO, TrustCircle and BringChange Foundation, Kyle Hybl, President & CEO, El Pomar Foundation, Beth Cobert, Acting President, Markle Foundation
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Dr. Denise Lujan, Director, Entering Student Experience, University of Texas at El Paso, Javaune Adams-Gaston, President, Norfolk State University, Dr. David Miyashiro, Superintendent, Cajon Valley Union School District, Gina Fratarcangeli, Managing Director, Google, Shital C. Shah, Sr. Advisor, Strategic Partnerships, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Education
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Sam Lalanne, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion |
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Would you like to give to support our student programs? You can scan the QR code below or go to our website to support our year-round programs. GlobalMindED is a 501(c)(3).
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Thank you to all of the Sponsors, Speakers, Students, and Attendees at GlobalMindED 2023
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