|
I have always been very proud of being a member of Friends. Proud of the work we do. Proud
of the partnerships we have developed with other organizations. Proud of the young
conservationists we have employed and nurtured and watched as they spread their wings to take on new and exciting challenges. Proud of the volunteers who commit to their work for the pure joy of knowing that it matters. But I have never been prouder than I was today.
Today, we honored Women Veterans.
Several months ago, Friends were invited to table at an event at the Tigard Senior Center
sponsored by Representative Andrea Salinas. At this event, our Executive Director, Bonnie
Anderson, met and started a conversation with Jessica Bradley from Oregon Department of
Veterans’ Affairs. Jessica talked about her dream of making sure that every Woman Veteran in
Oregon would have another Woman Veteran to talk to and get together with. Bonnie
immediately offered the refuge as a place where these women could meet up and soak up
some healing nature and an idea was born.
That idea grew into a special recognition day at the refuge for Women Veterans and their
families and guests. Today, after months of planning and discussion, Friends, the refuge Service Staff, and ODVA made that event happen.
Among the activities included was a very informative display in the Riparian Room that talked
about how women Veterans often feel invisible in the civilian world. The display included
women’s military uniforms from every branch of the Service and different time periods. It also
included portraits and personal stories of Women Veterans. There was a display of the flags for
each service branch. Governor Tina Kotek issued a proclamation and Representative Salinas
sent a letter recognizing the sacrifices of these women.
During the opening, Jessica, a Marine Corps Veteran, introduced Chang Carr, our Refuge Administrative Officer and an Army Veteran and current National Guard member and David Clark from FWS Regional Office who is a West Point graduate and Army Veteran. Each of them
spoke briefly about their service and why this recognition is so important. Bonnie and I each
had an opportunity to welcome these special visitors and tell a little about Friends. I got to
introduce Erin Chen, Representative Salinas’s Field Aide who read the letter from the
Representative. Then everyone was invited to participate in guided walks, crafts, and to visit the exhibitor tables. Our visitors were excited to make connections, learn more about the refuge, and it was clear that they were very appreciative of this special event just to recognize them.
Thank you to everyone who helped to make this event a success. We hope to have this event on an annual basis and to watch it grow to reach even more of these very special women each year.
There’s always something happening at the refuge!
| 
