Good health and inner healing are the focus of the 3rd Annual Women Veterans Retreat on the campus of the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Administration in West L.A.
The daylong event, set for Saturday, August 13 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature free wellness sessions, financial workshops, and medical screenings for diabetes and mammograms. Also, continental breakfast, lunch and snacks will be available.
The retreat is the brainchild of Daphne Wright, a U.S. Navy veteran who works at the VA as a senior certified peer support specialist. An employee since 2003, Wright noticed the lack of targeted programming for women veterans and decided to do something about it.
She reached out to affiliated groups and garnered the support of the Greater Los VA Medical Center Women’s Health Clinic, the Women Veteran’s Unity Group, Women Veteran’s Strategic Alliance Inc., and She Vets It. In addition, the Center for Development and Civic Engagement is serving a co-sponsor of this year’s event.
“Our team wants to acknowledge our women veterans and we realize that it takes more than a bed to heal our veterans. It takes a tribe and we must pamper ourselves: body, mind, and soul to maintain our health,” explained Wright.
“This year’s event will have numerous speakers on a variety of wellness topics as well as feature several women veteran authors, singers and business owners. Also, the program includes an hour of meditation and relaxation where guests can enjoy holistic events such as light yoga or aromatherapy,” she added.
An added attraction will be the Alright Alley, which will offer free clothing and shoes to women veterans. Wright said that all remaining items will be contributed to Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Services.
The Women Veterans Retreat will be held at the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Administration, located at 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Building 500, Room 1281, in Los Angeles.