►
Description
Docket #0300 - Hearing to discuss services for women veterans
C
C
In
accordance
with
governor
baker's
march
12
2020
executive
order
modifying
certain
requirements
of
the
open
meeting
law
in
relieving
public
bodies
of
certain
requirements,
including
the
requirement
that
public
bodies
conduct
its
meeting
in
a
public
place
that
is
open
and
physically
accessible
to
the
public.
The
city
council
will
be
conducting
this
hearing.
Virtually
this
enables
the
city
council
to
carry
out
its
responsibilities
while
adhering
to
public
health
recommendations
and
ensuring
public
access
to
its
deliberations
through
adequate
alternative
means.
C
C
C
C
C
So
so
thank
you
to
counselor
edwards
for
your
partnership
on
this
important
hearing
and
to
the
pianist
for
being
here.
This
hearing
aims
to
start
a
discussion
and
continue
a
discussion
on
the
existing
services
for
our
woman
veterans
and
how
veterans
organization
in
va
hospitals
can
offer
gender
specific
services
for
our
women
veterans.
C
For
example,
the
department
of
veterans
services
has
medical
facilities
that
provide
for
maternity
in
other
services
for
veterans,
but
we
need
to
make
sure
that
we
expand
services,
programs,
opportunities
for
women
for
women
veterans,
especially
medical
field
facilities
that
provide
maternity
care
for
veterans.
Moreover,
20
25
percent
of
women
veterans
experience
military
sexual
trauma
mst
during
military
services,
and
they
are
more
likely
to
struggle
with
child
care,
homelessness
and
mental
health
challenges.
C
It
is
important
that
we
recognize
the
contributions
in
service
of
our
women
veterans
as
real
as
well
as
realize
the
challenges
that
women
veterans
face.
It
is
critical
that
our
women
veterans
receive
the
care
and
services
they
need
for
their
health
and
well-being
and
for
their
families
as
well.
I
look
forward
to
hearing
from
our
panelists.
C
I'm
just
going
through
my
I'm
just
looking
to
see
if
any
of
my
other
council
callings
are
on
at
this
time.
My
council
colleague
from
austin
in
brighton,
is
on
council
liz,
braden
council
braden.
Thank
you
for
joining
us
and
I'd
like
to
ask
council
brandon.
If
you'd
like
to
give
an
opening
statement.
D
Thank
you,
mr
chair,
and
thank
you
for
all
your
great
work
and
veterans
on
the
issue
of
veterans
services
and
for
your
for
your
services.
As
a
veteran
yourself,
I
am
the
chair
of
the
strong
women
families
and
communities
committee
and
there's
a
certain
level
of
overlap
here
about
concern
for
women
veterans,
making,
sure
they're
getting
adequate
and
appropriate
services
support
their
needs.
So
I
I
look
forward
to
hearing
the
conversation
and
hearing
from
the
panelists
this
morning.
Thank
you.
C
Thank
you,
council,
brandon
for
being
with
us.
The
the
original
co-sponsor
with
me
is
counselor
lydia
edwards
from
from
district
one-
and
I
know
council
edwards
will
will
talk
about
her
story,
but
she
has
been
a
tremendous
advocate
and
ally
for
not
only
for
women
veterans
but
for
all
all
veterans
and
families
as
well.
She's
a
she's,
a
her
mother
is
a
retired
from
the
united
states
air
force.
She
has
a
tremendous
and
unique
perspective.
C
That's
critical
to
this
discussion
and
the
important
role
women
veterans
play
in
our
society
and
the
struggles
that
they
have
as
well.
She's
been
a
tremendous
advocate,
a
tremendous
ally
in
support
of
our
military
families
across
the
commonwealth.
Having
said
that,
council
edwards
thank
you
for
being
here
and
wanted
to
give
you
an
opportunity
to
open
up
with
the
opening
statement.
E
Thank
you
very
much
councillor
flynn.
I
appreciate
very
much
so
that
you
invited
me
to
be
a
original
co-sponsor
of
this.
I
do
want
to
talk
a
little
bit
about
why
this
particular
hearing
means
so
much
to
me
as
counselor
flynn
noted.
My
mother
is
a
veteran
and
she
served
in
the
air
force
for
23
years.
She
joined
during
vietnam
and
left
during
iraq,
one
and
I
and
my
sister.
E
We
grew
up
on
military
bases
and
there's
something
very
unique
about
the
families,
the
military-based
life
and
a
special
kind
of
bond
that
you
have
with
everybody.
Who's
grown
up
there,
but
there's
also
something
especially
bonding
for
those
of
us
who
were
children
of
mothers
in
the
military
daycare
was
vital
in
order
for
our
mothers
to
be
able
to
serve
this
country
after
school
programs
were
necessary.
The
ability
for
our
mothers
to
be
seen
as
the
incredibly
brave
patriotic
soldiers
that
they
are
is
also
still
something
that
many
people
are
struggling
with.
E
For
some
reason,
when
I
talk
about
being
a
military
brat,
they
everyone
assumes
my
father
was
in
the
military
and
served
and
he
did
for
four
years,
but
the
lifer,
the
one
who
went
back
to
actually
serve
and
work
with
her
military
veterans
who
went
to
the
va
actually,
after
she
retired
from
the
united
states
air
force
and
ran
healing
circles
and
working
with
younger
soldiers
coming
back
from
iraq.
My
mother
and
it
was
an
insult
for
many
people
for
many
years
that
your
mother
wears
combat
boots.
My
mother
wore
combat
boots.
E
Proudly
she
also
wore
high
heels.
She
showed
me
what
strength
grace,
patriotism
and
hard
work
is
every
single
day.
I
remember
being
that
kid,
when
my
mother
would
go
quote-unquote
practice
for
war
when
they
were
on
24-hour
shifts.
That
meant
the
day
cares
had
to
stay
open
because
they
had
to
make
sure
that
we
were
prepared
and
ready.
If
and
when
the
united
states
was
ever
going
to
be
attacked.
That
was
part
of
my
life.
E
The
impact
on
children
and
having
and
being
raised
on
military
bases,
I
would
say,
is
overwhelmingly
positive,
but
it's
a
different
world,
and
so
when
and
we
need
to
acknowledge
that
during
service
is
a
different
world.
The
statistics
that
ed
flynn
just
read
may
be
statistics
to
you
all,
but
I
can
assure
you
from
personal
stories
from
my
mother
from
women.
She
served
with
from
hearing
about
what
they
dealt
with
in
terms
of
sexual
harassment
and
sexual
assault,
especially
joining
the
military
in
the
60s
and
70s
is,
is
a
deeper
wound?
E
E
I
don't
want
it
to
be
seen
as
something
in
terms
of
an
injury
that
the
soldier
is
facing.
This
is
a
damn
shame
and
it's
wrong
and
it
needs
to
be
called
out,
and
anyone
who
does
that
with
my
tax
dollars,
obviously
and
under
this
flag,
is
a
coward-
is
an
insecure,
bastard
and
shouldn't
be
serving
in
the
united
states.
Military
I'll
say
that.
E
E
E
Clearly,
that's
a
culture
concern
and
it
isn't
just
women
who
get
raped
in
the
military.
We
know
that
the
concern
that
I
think
a
lot
of
people
have
and
have
always
had
is
that
when
people
are
not
quote
part
of
the
traditional
understanding
of
who's
patriotic,
they
speak
different
languages,
have
beautiful
accents
or
come
in
many
different
colors
that
the
prejudices
that
they
were
facing
at
home.
They
don't
automatically
just
disappear
when
you're
in
the
military
and
they
don't
disappear.
E
When
you
come
back
from
serving
the
welcoming
back
and
acknowledging
the
service
of
our
soldiers,
in
whatever
form
they
come
in,
has
been
something
that
this
country
still
needs
to
improve.
On
black
soldiers.
Coming
back
from
world
war
ii
were
lynched
were
attacked,
were
beaten
up
for
wearing
the
uniforms
that
they
wore
when
defending
this
country
abroad,
gay
soldiers
being
just
being
actually
just
told
to
leave
being
told
who
they
are
and
how
they
are
made
them
less
patriotic.
E
E
He
served
this
country
so
we're
still
talking
about
then
women
when
they
come
home
and
that's
what
we
need
to
really
acknowledge.
Are
they
didn't
disappear
when
they
went
in
there
and
I
think,
there's
a
special
kind
of
patriotism
that
you
must
have
when
the
country
that
is
not
fully
recognizing
your
humanity
is
the
country
you
are
willing
to
die
for.
E
So
today's
hearing
is
about
how
we
are
going
to
fully
recognize
the
humanity
of
soldiers,
particularly
women
soldiers,
as
they
come
back,
and
I
wanted
to
be
clear-
we're,
including
transgendered
and
non-binary
soldiers
as
well
in
this
conversation,
and
we
need
to
so
I'm
excited
about
this
conversation.
I'm
excited
to
get
deep
in
this
conversation,
and
I
hope
that
this
is
the
beginning
of
many.
So
we
start
the
hearings
we
can
have
working
sessions.
We
can
hear
from
more
women
veterans.
E
C
Thank
you,
council
edwards.
Thank
you
for
your
partnership
on
this
issue
and
in
many
issues
appreciate
that
unique
perspective
that
you
have
bringing
bring
to
this
this
hearing
today.
Let
me,
let
me
go
to
the
commissioner
of
veterans.
Services,
rob
santiago
who's
done
an
outstanding
job,
but
also
is
really
really
brought
to
the
public,
the
incredible
sacrifices
and
services
of
of
gay
and
lesbian
veterans,
as
well
as
proud
to
work
closely
with
with
rob
on
that
issue
for
the
last
four
years.
A
Thank
you,
chair
flynn,
good
morning,
sheriff
flynn,
councillor
edwards,
members
of
the
boston
city,
council,
colleagues
and
fellow
veterans.
First,
I
want
to
say
councillor
edwards.
Thank
you
very
much
for
sharing
your
experiences
and
and
your
thoughts
and
your
passion
to
ensure
that
all
veterans,
no
matter
what
gender,
no
matter,
what
who
they
sleep
with
you
know
are,
are
taken
care
of
and
for
you
sharing.
Those
experiences
is
very
powerful,
very
powerful.
A
A
Sorry
about
that,
so
you
had
mentioned
a
couple
of
stats.
I
just
wanted
to
share
a
couple
of
stats
according
to
the
national
center
for
veterans,
analysis
and
statistics,
their
report
of
february
2020
is
estimated
that
10,
just
like
you
said
about
veterans
population
are
women
here
in
the
city
of
boston.
We
estimate
that
seven
percent
of
our
veterans
who
call
boston
home,
are
also
women,
and
these
percentages
have
increased
in
recent
years
as
more
women
are
wearing
our
nation's
uniforms
and
and
are
increasing
and
as
their
roles
increase.
A
Also
in
in
military
operations.
Our
women
veterans
have
always
answered
the
call
in
times
of
crisis,
as
we
heard
a
counselor
edward's
mother
for
23
years.
She
has
rose
universe
in
her
hand
in
crisis
and
also
in
times
of
uncertainty.
You
know
these
women
have
left
their
families
to
face
the
enemy
both
seen
and
unseen.
They
have
given
their
blood,
sweat
and
tears
and
even
their
lives
to
protect
our
freedoms
and
our
way
of
life.
A
A
Women
have
never
been
drafted
for
military
service,
and
that
speaks
volumes.
Women
veterans
have
needs
and
concerns
that
are
not
experienced
by
their
male
counterparts.
Thus,
they
require
services
specific
to
those
needs,
so
we
want
to
ensure
women
veterans
receive
the
services
and
benefits
earned
as
they
transition
back
to
civilian
life.
A
On
our
website
boston.gov
veterans,
there
is
a
link
specifically
for
women
veterans
as
information
about
the
many
resources
that
are
available
to
them.
For
example,
a
woman
veteran
can
sign
up
for
the
women's
health
training
course.
This
course
this
course
helps
transitioning
service
women
and
recently
separated
women
veterans.
A
There
is
also
information
about
the
city
of
boston,
women's
advancement
department
and,
of
course,
the
many
services
offered
by
the
va,
and
this
is
just
to
name
a
few.
I
will
not
get
into
the
va
program
since
we
have
caroline
from
the
va,
which
I'm
sure
we'll
go
over
the
many
great
programs
they
have
here
in
the
boston
va.
A
I
also
wanted
to
mention
that
I
am
a
member
of
the
massachusetts
veterans
services
officers
association,
the
mbsoa
in
which
I
have
been
elected
as
the
first
vice
president
and
I'm
proud
to
work
under
the
leadership
of
our
president,
roseanne
matsuchelli.
I'm
sorry
roy
if
I
messed
up
your
name
as
well.
The
first
woman
elected
in
that
position.
A
Roe
is
also
the
recipient
of
this
year's
deborah
sampson
award,
and
I
am
very
honored
to
have
worked
with
her.
We
work
very
closely
together
in
taking
care
of
our
veterans
being
that
we're
both
neighboring
communities
and
she
has
just
been
fantastic
and
also
taking
care
of
our
women
veterans,
especially
those
that
suffer
from
mst
and
the
invisible
wounds
that
they
have
taken
with
them
from
military
service.
A
You
know,
I
can
remember
just
a
few
short
years
ago,
there
being
only
a
handful
of
women
as
vsos,
and
I'm
happy
to
report
that
that
number
has
more
than
doubled.
We
have
a
vso
representing
every
city
and
town
in
the
commonwealth.
So
to
me
it
is
very
important
that
our
vsos
are
representative
of
the
community.
They
serve
as
many
women
veterans
will.
Only
talk
about
their
concerns
with
other
women
veterans,
as
I
stated
earlier,
women
veterans
have
many
gender
related
concerns
from
their
time
in
the
military
that
continue
after
their
discharge.
A
A
C
Thank
you.
Thank
you,
commissioner
santiago.
Commissioner,
santiago
mentioned
we
have
carolyn
mason
hooley
from
the
va
medical
center.
We're
proud
of
the
outstanding
work
that
you've
done,
carolyn
in
in
the
va,
especially
here
in
in
new
england,
have
been
on
the
forefront
of
a
lot
of
the
federal
programs,
and
a
lot
of
them
have
started
and
been
implemented
right
here
in
boston,
but
caroline
carolyn.
This
is
your
opportunity
for
an
opening
statement.
Thank
you
for
being
with
us.
F
F
F
F
F
We
work
regularly
with
veteran
service
organizations
and
service
officers
such
as
roseanne
to
work
with
our
women
veterans.
I
appreciate
so
much
that
when
our
women
prefer
to
work
with
a
woman
vso
that
our
women
vsos
across
the
state
are
willing
and
able
to
to
reach
across
town
lines
city
lines
to
help
a
woman
veteran.
F
We
look
forward
to
continuing
to
develop
our
services
and
also
to
address
culture
change
across
the
community
to
change
the
perception
of
who
a
veteran
is
and
honor
the
service
of
our
women
veterans
that
they
have
provided
for
us.
Thank
you
for
this
opportunity
to
address
the
council
and
I
welcome
any
questions.
C
Thank
you.
Thank
you,
carolyn
for
your
great
testimony.
We
appreciate
all
the
great
work
you're
doing.
Roseanne
marzicelli
from
winthrop
is
the
veterans
service
coordinator
across
the
state
and
also
the
representative
for
winthrop
as
well
roseanne.
Thank
you
for
being
on
and
just
want
to
ask
if
you
want
to
give
an
opening
statement.
G
Yes,
sir,
thank
you
very
much
for
this
opportunity.
I
want
to
thank
my
vice
president,
my
brother
robert,
for
those
kind
words
and
caroline
as
the
president
of
the
mass
veterans
service
officers
association.
I
hope
to
bring
more
awareness
to
what
women
need
as
military
veterans,
and
I
too
I'm
21
years
in
and
I
understand
exactly
what
council
edwards
was
speaking
of
because
my
kids
were
told,
because
I
had
four
children.
G
While
I
served
your
mom,
we
had
zombie
boots
and
I
used
to
tell
my
kids
tell
them
that,
because
your
mother
is
a
badass
but
being
in
law
enforcement,
and
I
was
a
combat
military
police
woman
and
then
an
army
criminal,
investigator
special
agent,
and
I
did
active
duty
for
several
years
and
then
I
journeyed
the
reserves,
but
in
my
reserve
unit
supported
the
regular
army
cid
unit.
We
were
at
the
time
at
desert
storm.
G
That
is
both
active
duty
and
reservists
for
cid
agents,
criminal
investigation
agents
with
the
u.s
army,
criminal
investigation
command.
So
quite
regularly.
We
would
get
deployed
for
many
missions
by
protective
service
and
all
those
times
my
husband
and
I
met
in
the
service
and
we
both
ended
up
in
the
same
unit
and
many
times
he
was
the
dad
who
stayed
at
home
with
the
kids
from
getting
the
kids
off
to
school
and
whatnot,
and
putting
pink
and
purple
pants
on
my
son
were
three
sizes
too
big,
but
that's
okay.
G
We
got
through
it
and
when
I
came
home
I
was
met
with
great
adversity
when
I
went
to
the
va
at
first,
because
I
kept
getting
asked.
Who
was
your
sponsor?
Who
was
your
sponsor
and
I
didn't
understand
the
question
at
first.
I
was
then,
what
are
you
talking
about?
I'm
my
own
sponsor,
so
that
was
that
was
tough
and
then
in
my
own
community,
in
winthrop,
where
I
live,
I
was
told
I
wasn't
a
veteran.
G
G
That
request
that
I
help
female
veterans
with
their
mst
claims.
I
had
a
bad
experience
with
my
mst
claim.
I
haven't:
had
the
haven't
been
able
to
sit
down
and
redo
it
because
I
was
told
I
was
law
enforcement.
What
did
I
I
didn't?
I
should
have
known
better
and
that
hit
me
hard,
thankfully,
that
counselor
is
not
no
longer
with
employed
by
the
va.
G
G
C
Well
well,
thank
you
roseanne
for
your
testimony
and
the
tremendous
work
you
do
across
the
state
and-
and
I
know
you
partner
up
with
various
cities
and
towns
and
providing
services
to
any
woman
veteran
regardless
of
their
location.
So
thank
you
for
your
tremendous
work.
Roseanne.
I
have.
I
have
questions
and
I
know
my
council
colleagues
have
questions,
but
I'm
gonna
ask
my
colleague
counselor
edwards
to
go
first
and
then
I'll
ask
councillor
braden
to
go
after
council
edwards
and
then
I'll
then
I'll
probably
go
after
and
we
can.
C
E
E
She
is
getting
a
hero
square
and
her
son
served
also
in
in
in
for
this
country,
and
he
died
in
vietnam
and
so
we're
putting
her
heroes
where
her
her
hero
square
next
to
her
sons,
it'll
be
the
first
one
done
in
the
city,
so
I
wanted
everyone
to
to
know
that
that's
happening.
I
want
to
say
saturday
at
was
10
o'clock.
E
O'clock
in
charlestown
charleston-
oh
so
I'm
so
where
I
wanted
to
thank
also
the
department
and
especially
robert
santiago,
for
that.
I
think
it's
really
acknowledging
that
special
bond,
but
also
how
beautiful
that
is
that
the
mother
and
son
will
always
be
honored
together
for
their
service.
I'm
just
really
honored
about
that
two.
So
some
questions
or
some
thoughts
in
terms
of
being
able
to
welcome
back
and
assure
that
our
our
women
veterans
are
treated
with
respect
and
dignity
that
they
deserve.
E
There's
something
about
there's
something
particularly
about
mst
and
trauma
that
comes
with
that
that
oftentimes
doesn't
appear
for
decades
until
after
the
fact
that
we
learned
that
from
ptsd,
but
also
from
the
in
general
from
sexual
assault.
So
I
am
I'm
so
disappointed.
Roseanne
by
your
experience
that
you
had
that
someone
should
told
you
you
should
have
known
better.
E
E
That's
one
question
and
then,
in
terms
of
the
wrap
around
services,
when
they
have
children
particularly,
is
there
any
assessment
or
any
thought
to
therapy
or
guidance
or
working
around
with
family
therapy,
for
when
all
veterans
are
coming
back
because
a
lot
of
people
and
in
general,
when
their
mother
is
coming
back,
is
there
do
you
find
that
there's
a
difference
for
children
if
they're,
especially
if
she
was
deployed
abroad?
So
just
the
two
questions
I
have
right
now.
G
I
thank
you
lydia
yeah
there's.
My
kids
have
seen
some
not
so
fine
moments
of
me.
Even
though
I've
tried
to
hide
it.
I
was
again
on
multiple
deployments.
A
lot
of
them
were
under
30
days
because
they
were
missions,
people
that
I've
protected
and
then,
when
I
would
go
on
active
judy
to
do
investigations,
there
were
things
that
as
law
enforcement
or
as
a
criminal
investigator
investigating.
I
mean
criminal
investigators
are
your
equivalent
to
your
osi,
your
ncis.
G
We
investigate
all
felonies
similar
to
what
the
fbi
does
and
what
your
local
police
detectives
do
investigate
crimes,
and
there
were
things
that
I
saw,
and
maybe
I
was
very
street
smart
when
my
kids
were
growing
up.
I
have
great
kids,
one
of
them
tested
me
quite
often,
and
I'm
proud
to
say
that
he
is
a
nurse
and
he
he
so.
G
You
have
a
little
commonality,
a
little
common
courtesy
there,
and
so
I
understood
a
lot
and
there
were
times
that
my
kids
saw
me
at
moments
that
weren't
the
best
and
that
I
would
have
to
just
alienate
myself
put
myself
aside.
So
they
didn't
see
it
and
at
one
point
both
my
husband
and
I
were
deployed
and
all
four
of
my
children.
Thankfully
we
were
blessed
to
have
my
parents
around
and
they
they
stayed
with
my
my
mother.
G
While
I
was
on
a
quick
mission
to
germ
back
to
germany,
it
was
only
for
ten
days,
but
they
understood
what
it
was
to
have
both
parents
out
of
the
picture
and
they
didn't
like
that.
They
didn't
like
that
at
all,
and
I
was
my
husband
and
I
were
the
first
couple:
dual
service
military
family
in
winthrop.
We
had
just
moved
to
winthrop.
When
I
was
deployed
for
desert
storm.
I
only
went
to
dc
and
then,
when
I
went
to
germany,
we
were
the
only
military
couple
in
winthrop
serving.
G
They
just
weren't
used
to
that
and
again
small
town
and
my
kids
today
know
when
they
come
in
the
room
to
if
they
have
to
wake
me
up,
they
know
to
yell
it
from
the
door
and
not
to
just
grab
me
because
I
I
still
react,
so
I
do
a
very
good
job
at
putting
my
feelings
away,
putting
him
aside
and
that
works
best.
For
me,
my
my
counselor
at
the
vet
center
isn't
too
happy
about
it.
G
But
that's
what
I
do
that
works
for
me
and
for
me
to
help
my
sister
veterans,
who
also
are
parents
especially
to
try
to
get
through
to
them.
I
have
to
put
my
stuff
aside
to
to
help
them
and
I
always
come
off
saying
you
got
to
be
brave.
You
got
to
be
strong.
You
got
to
be
here
for
your
kids,
especially
with
talk
of
suicide,
and
my
daughter
pointed
out
to
me
not.
Everybody
can
be
brave
and
strong
and
move
on
like
you
have
and
that
hit
me
in
the
face
big
time.
G
So
I
now
I'm
more
in
tune
with
understanding
and
having
a
little
bit
more
empathy
for
for
my
sister
veterans,
who
are
moms,
especially
and
and
for
the
kids,
and
I
do
talk
with
the
kids.
I
I
always
talk
with
the
kids
and
I've
had
kids
come
to
me
and
say:
hey.
My
mom
is
going
through
a
hard
time
right
now.
Can
I
can
we
talk?
I'm
like
absolutely
got.
My
office
door
is
always
open.
G
I
give
a
lot
of
the
families,
my
personal
cell
phone,
especially
if
they're
deployed
or
having
a
hard
time
to
call
me
and
I've
gotten
those
calls
at
one
o'clock
in
the
morning
two
o'clock
in
the
morning,
so
I'm
in
it
110.
I
was
always
taught
when
you
do
a
job.
Do
it
give
it
your
all
or
don't
do
it
at
all,
so
we
just
keep
moving
forward.
That's
what
I
say
keep
moving
forward.
G
E
I
think
one
of
the
biggest
things
that
you
mentioned
and
showed
was
when
you
finally
present
to
say
now
here
I
need
these
resources.
I've
earned
these
resources.
I
have
served
my
country
and
for
someone
to
question
at
all
in
any
way,
shape
or
form.
Are
you
the
one?
Are
you
the
veteran
that
I
think
is
the
greatest?
It's
a
slap
in
the
face
flap
in
the
face.
Thank
you.
You
said
it.
E
E
Carolyn
and
and
roseanne
this
is
for
both
of
you.
What
are
the
current
women
specific
resources?
If
I
have
someone
who
comes
to
me
as
a
city
counselor
and
says
I
need
help
as
a
woman
veteran
and
I
I
actually
do
agree-
and
I
don't
know
if
roseanne
you
agree,
having
a
woman's
was
it
cso?
Sorry,
my
acronyms
are
off.
I
haven't
the
last
time
I
said
you
know
I
was
talking
about
the
bmx
and
or
bs,
but
all
those
other
basic
things
and
stuff.
E
G
So
I'll
let
carolyn
answer
all
the
va
questions.
Women
vsos
are
the
fastest
growing
demographic
of
veteran
service
officers.
Veteran
service
officers
represent
every
city
and
town
in
massachusetts.
No
other
state
does
that.
That
is
why
we
lead
the
nation
in
services
for
our
veterans
and
our
veteran
families.
G
I
have
a
lot
of
people
coming
down
off
the
border
from
new
hampshire
because
they
can't
get
a
hold
of
one
of
the
four
people
in
this
whole
state,
so
we're
very
blessed
in
massachusetts
to
be
able
to
do
that.
So,
having
said
that,
we
are
the
fastest
growing
demographic,
female
veteran
service
officers,
and
I
think
it's
really
important
that
we
all
decided
amongst
us.
As
a
group,
we
will
help
the
female
veterans
in
our
surrounding
cities
and
towns.
G
G
I
wish
the
raider
that
I
spoke
with
when
I
was
going
for
my
crop
of
pen
exam
at
the
va
was
a
woman.
There
was
no
female
available
for
me
so,
which
is,
I
was
quite
taken
aback
by,
but
I
I
was
used
to
being
in
an
all-male
role.
I
was
the
only
female
in
my
unit
20
guys
and
me,
and
they
never
looked
at
me
as
a
woman.
G
They
looked
at
me
as
another
agent,
which
I
was
very
grateful
for
so
they
treated
me
as
an
equal,
but
it
is
so
important
to
to
be
there
and-
and
I
just
had
my
first
case
of
male
mst
a
couple
of
weeks
ago
and
this
gentleman
is
in
his
80s
and
he
had
never
told
a
single
person
that
he
was
attacked
in
basic
training.
But
he
felt
comfortable
enough
to
sit
with
me
in
my
office
to
say
that
to
me,
which
I
I
was
that
made
my
day.
F
Thank
you.
I
really
appreciate
all
that
you've
done,
and
I
know
that
I
am
one
of
those
people
that
has
reached
out
to
you
and
said
I
have
a
woman
that
I'd
really
like
to
have
sit
down
with
you
or
one
of
your
other
female
vsos,
to
really
put
together
their
service
connected
applications,
because
I
know
you
get
it.
F
We
do
have
a
one-point
contact,
it
is
called
the
women
veterans
call
center
and
it's
a
800
number.
It's
855
va
women,
and
it's
toll
free,
what's
great
about
that
line.
Is
that
the
folks
that
answer?
That
call
will
connect
that
veteran
to
the
closest
woman
veterans,
program
manager
for
vh,
va
healthcare,
the
women
veterans,
coordinators
at
the
veterans,
benefits
administration
or
with
the
point
of
contact
at
national
cemetery
administration?
F
They
can
also
chat
online
with
that
call
center,
so
womenshealth.va.gov
there's
a
link
to
do
an
online
chat,
so
I
have
received
calls
from
all
over
the
country,
people
coming
to
massachusetts,
women
that
are
moving
to
boston,
someone
who's
coming
for
school
or
for
a
new
job,
and
they
need
to
establish
care.
They
want
resources
in
terms
of
housing,
options
or
social
gatherings
for
women
veterans,
and
it's
been
a
great
great
way
for
me
to
connect
with
them
and
for
them
to
connect
with
us
at
the
va.
F
F
The
many
other
traumas
that
may
present
we're
asking
this
question:
we're
trying
to
make
sure
that,
when
someone
comes
in
for
their
care
that
there
are
multiple
touch
points
where,
where
we're
taking
this,
where
we're
looking
at
this
and
making
sure
that
we're
not
coming
up
behind
somebody
and
touching
them
on
the
shoulder
and
we're
not.
You
know
frightening
somebody
by
jumping
in
and
providing
some
kind
of
care
without
explaining
what's
happening.
F
So
if
somebody
comes
into
primary
care
and
they're
struggling
with
depression
or
anxiety
or
other
issues
related
to
those
traumas
or
to
other
issues
in
their
life,
that
there
is
a
primary
care.
Behavioral
health
clinician
on
standby
that
we
can
reach
out
to
and
connect
that
patient
to
almost
immediately,
and
I
think
that
this
service
has
really
greatly
improved
how
we
can
connect
women
with
the
very
with
the
many
mental
health
services
that
we
provide.
F
I
know
that
our
emergency
room
and
our
urgent
care
clinics
are
also
very
focused
on
providing
that
type
of
service.
There's
always
a
mental
health,
clinician,
psychiatrist
and
social
worker
on
call
in
those
facilities
when
they
are
open.
So
so
that's
anot.
Another
touch
point
where
we
can
reach
out
and
help
as
as
needed.
F
E
D
Thank
you
and
I'm
really
appreciate
the
fact
that
we
are
flagging
up
this
issue
of
mental
military
service
sexual
trauma.
I
just
wonder
in
terms
of
the
assumption
is,
and
I'm
making
the
assumption
that
it's
largely
underreported
and
that
there
are
a
lot
of
folks
who
are
carrying
that
that
trauma
and
that
they're
not
talking
about
it
or
not,
report
not
reporting
it.
So
is
there
do
you
have
any
sort
of
metrics
on
on
how
prevalent
this
problem
is
like
I'm
imagining?
It
is
very
prevalent.
D
Yeah,
it's
a
horrific
statistic
that
one
in
four
yes,
women
veterans
are
experiencing,
have
experienced
that
you
know,
and
I
suppose,
as
an
upstream
approach
like
I'm,
I'm
not
familiar
with,
and
this
you're
talking
very
much
about
veterans
but
veterans
serving
soldiers.
Ultimately,
they
become
veterans
upstream.
D
What
what
is
the
and
the
military
doing
about
prevention,
or,
like
I,
I
had
a
friend
once
reported
that
she
was
in
military
academy
and
that
she
was
basically
terrorized
of
men
banging
on
the
doors
at
night
and
trying
to
you
know
her
sexual
harassment
was
rampant
and
she
ended
up
leaving.
I
just
though
you
know
what
what
are
our
military
doing
to
try
and
are
they
really
seriously
address.
A
Thank
you,
councilman
I'll
talk
a
little
bit
on
that
one.
I
I
know
that
the
military
is
trying
to
do
everything
they
can
to
have
a
lot
of
different
programs
to
address
these
issues
across
the
board
with
their
soldiers,
sailors,
marines,
airmen
and
coast
guard
men,
and
one
of
the
things
that
is
happening
in
our
military
right
now
is
the
full
integration
of
women
in
all
roles
within
the
military.
A
A
They
know
what's
happening,
it's
just
a
matter
of
putting
in
the
right
people
in
the
right
leadership
position
and
also
getting
the
local
communities
involved
as
well
and
letting
them
know
hey
we're
watching
you
we're
holding
you
accountable,
and
by
holding
you
accountable.
We
want
to
make
sure
that
our
daughters,
our
sons,
our
brothers,
our
sisters,
are
serving
our
country
and
not
being
fearful
of
it.
D
Yeah
I
I
really
appreciate
the
work
that's
been
done
to
support
and
and
help
the
veterans
who
are
are
suffering
from
mst,
but
it's
it's.
It's
going
to
be
a
full
court
press
to
try
and
reduce
the
the
incidents,
and
I
appreciate
your
work.
Thank
you,
mr
chair.
That's
all
I
have
for
the
moment.
Thank
you.
C
Well,
thank
you
councillor,
braden,
for
for
your
questions,
for
your
comments
and
for
being
a
strong
advocate
for
women
veterans,
but
also
for
our
military
families
as
well.
Thank
you,
council
of
braden
and
just
as
a
maybe
just
to
provide
a
little
bit
of
information,
the
congresswoman
from
the
not
sure
catherine
clark,
I
believe,
she's
from
like
peabody
or
melrose
area.
C
She
is
the
kind
of
the
lead
expert
in
in
the
congress
on
mst
related
issues,
so
it
might
be
good
for
us
as
a
as
a
as
a
committee,
to
reach
out
to
her
to
see
what
else
the
congress
is
doing
on
this.
But
I
just
want
to
acknowledge
the
tremendous
work
congresswoman
catherine
clark
is
doing
on
this
issue
and
I
believe,
there's
the
congresswoman
from
new
york.
Caroline
carolyn
maloney
in
in
the
senator's
kristen
gillibrand,
has
also
been
doing
a
lot
of
work
on
mst
related
issues.
G
Just
to
speak
on
congresswoman
counselor,
I'm
sorry
to
interrupt.
That's!
Okay!
I
reach
out
to
her
a
lot.
She
is
a
champion
when
it
comes
to
veterans,
rights
and
benefits,
she's,
the
daughter
of
multi-generation
veterans-
and
I
have
issues
right
now
as
the
president,
the
obvious
away
with
not
only
female,
but
my
my
male
veterans,
who
are
going
for
compromise
that
they're
being
sent
two
to
three
hours
away,
because
people
on
the
west
side
of
the
country
don't
know.
Massachusetts
is
really
bigger
than
what
we
really
look
like
on
the
map.
G
And
it's
you
know,
a
lot
of
our
veterans
depend
on
public
transportation,
so
I'm
I'm
corralling
all
those
veterans
who
are
being
asked
to
drive
two
hours
or
more
for
a
combo
pen
exam,
but
I
reach
out
to
her
constantly.
So
she
is
very
open
and
I'm
sure,
if
you
reach
out
to
her
she'll,
be
she'll,
help
you
in
any
way
that
she
can.
C
Well,
that's
that's
excellent
information
thanks
roseanne
and
like
myself
and
council
braden
and
ed
edwards,
we
use
this
opportunity.
These
hearings
to
educate
the
public
too,
so
the
public
can
get
as
much
information
as
as
possible,
comp
and
pen
just
for
people.
That
may
not
know
it's
it's
the
process
of
a
veteran
going
to
the
va
to
determine
what
your
disabilities
are.
C
So
I
guess
my
question
is
I'll
only
ask
this
one
question
and
I
know
carolyn
knows
this
answer,
but
when
a
woman
veteran
goes
to
comp
and
pen
with
with
with
a
series
of
injuries
that
may
have
been
sustained
on
active
duty
or
contributed
to
to
her
military
service,
does
that
woman
veteran
meet
with
a
woman
advocate?
Does
that
woman
veteran
meet
with
a
woman,
va
professional,
or
does
that
woman?
Does
it
not?
Does
it
not
matter
for
the
va?
Do
they
always
what's
the
process
on
that
carolyn.
F
F
C
F
I
can
typically
get
somebody
in
within
a
week
at
the
va
for
a
designated
women's
health
provider,
so
that
somebody
that
can
provide
that
comprehensive
care,
including
all
of
the
gender
specific
care.
One
of
the
requirements
that
we
have
is
to
have
at
least
one
provider
at
every
site,
where
we
provide
care
one
designated
women's
health
provider.
Who
can
do
the
the
comprehensive
exam
at
every
site?
F
The
preference
is
to
have
at
least
two
all
of
our
facilities
in
the
greater
boston
area
have
at
least
one
and
the
two
sites
where
we
only
have
one
and
not
two.
I
have
providers
from
those
facilities
that
are
going
to
an
education
program
this
year
to
refresh
their
skills
and
become
a
women's
health
provider.
So
we're
extremely
lucky
in
that
respect
here
in
massachusetts.
F
That
availability
is
not
always
in
the
communi
in
the
across
the
country
about
83
percent
of
women
at
this
point
in
time
are
assigned
to
a
women's,
a
designated
women's
health
provider
for
their
primary
care,
other
gender-specific
care
so
gynecology.
We
are
very
fortunate
here
in
massachusetts
here
in
boston.
F
C
C
H
H
We
always
have
to
talk
about
female
veterans
and
I'm
so
excited
that
you
guys
are
doing
this
because
we
don't
get
this
opportunity
much
to
talk
about
what
we
go
through
and
how
we,
how
we
come
out
and
listening
to
my
sisters
when
they
were
talking
about
and
commissioner
santiago
said
we're
not
drafted
into
this.
We
we
make
that
choice.
We
make
that
choice
to
join
the
military.
I
joined
the
united
states
navy.
I
wanted
to
be
a
jet
mechanic
and
became
a
jet
mechanic.
So
you
know
with
this.
H
H
I
worked
on
helos,
I
did
intermediate
quality
assurance
and
when
I
came
out
into
the
civilian
world
you
know
everyone
looked
at
me
like
you're,
a
mechanic,
no
you're,
not
you
couldn't
possibly
be,
and
then
I
went
to
civilian
school
and
you
know,
and
then,
after
a
while
I
I
realized
that
I
was
going
to
have
a
hard
time
doing
what
I
wanted
to
do.
I
wanted
to
work
fbos.
I
wanted
to
work
delta,
airlines,
somebody,
but
I
had
to
change
my
career.
H
You
know
so
I
changed
my
career
and
everything
that
I
learned
in
military.
Every
college
course
that
I
took
in
the
military
is
no
not
valid
when
I
decided
to
go
and
get
me
a
college
degree
because
I
was
told
that,
even
though
I
had
experience
doing
what
I
was
doing,
I
was
overqualified
underqualified
because
I
didn't
have
a
college
degree.
So
none
of
my
college
stuff
transitioned
into
my
new
life
of
trying
to
go
into
a
business
business
degree
or
something
like
that.
H
I
had
to
go
into
mechanical
arts
and
you
know
that
wasn't
something
I
was
still
interested
in.
But
I
want
to
thank
you
for
that,
but
the
transition
is
one
thing
and
then
we
have
the
ability
to
talk
about
being
an
african-american
veteran,
an
african-american
female
veteran.
What
I
went
through
boot
camp,
what
I
went
through
in
training
what
I
went
through
in
all
the
different
places
that
I
was
stationed.
I
was
treated
differently
because
I
was
a
woman
of
color.
H
I
was
treated
differently
because
I
was
a
woman
and
so
that's
two
hits
right
there,
I'm
a
woman,
a
woman
of
color
and
I'm
doing
transition
of
so
much
stuff
that
I
had
to
prove
myself
over
other
women
that
were
in
my
shop.
There
were
three
of
us
in
the
shop,
but
I
was
the
only
woman
you
know
and
every
station
that
I
went
to
I
did
I
had
to
do
more
because
I
was
a
woman
of
color.
H
Then
I
came
home
and,
like
I
said,
I
came
home
and
got
involved
in
the
community
and
did
things
and
I
still
had
to
do
more.
As
you
said,
I
am
commander
of
the
american
legion
post
in
mattapan
and
I'm
not
the
first
female,
I'm
the
third
female
commander
at
that
post,
but
I'm
the
youngest
female
commander
at
that
post.
So
I
have
to
prove
myself
more
to
my
colleagues
still
as
a
veteran.
I
still
have
to
show
150.
H
Instead
of
the
maybe
mediocre
65
you
know
I
got
250
to
make
myself
valid
and
for
them
to
feel
comfortable
that
I'm
the
commander.
I
I
sit
on
the
women's
steering
committee
because
I
believe
that
we
need
more
voices
at
the
table:
women
veterans,
female
veterans
and
veterans
of
color
a
lot
of
times.
When
I
go
to
veterans
events,
I
stand
out
in
the
crowd
either.
I'm
I'm
the
only
black
woman
or
sometimes
I'm
the
only
woman.
You
know
and
when
I,
when
I
speak,
they
look
at
me
like.
H
Oh
okay-
and
I
have
this
conversation
with
someone
about
something
that
I
tried
to
do
when
I
was
working
on
beacon
hill
is
getting
a
female
veteran
license
plate
here
in
the
commonwealth
of
massachusetts.
I'm
not
done
I'm
going
to
start
it
up
again,
because
I
think
we
should
have
something
that
says
proudly.
She
served
because
I
have
veteran
plates
and
when
I
park
my
car
and
I
get
out
my
car
people
say
tell
your
husband
thank
you
for
his
service.
H
Why?
Why
couldn't
it
be
me?
Why
can't
you
just
say
thank
you
for
your
service.
You
know,
so
I
have
to
say
to
them.
Oh
no,
I'm
the
veteran
you
know
or
if
I'm
not
wearing
one
of
my
hats,
you
know
and
saying.
Okay,
I'm
proud
to
be
a
female
veteran.
You
know
or
I'm
proud
to
be
an
american
legion
legionnaire
commander.
You
know,
there's
so
many
different
things.
So
I
want
to
say
thank
you
for
having
us
hearing
and
giving
us
the
ability
to
come
and
share
and
talk
about
everything.
H
H
My
left
hand
was
crushed
by
a
plane
when
I
was
on
active
duty
and
I'm
still
fighting,
because
they
say
that
all
the
inf,
the
stuff
that's
going
on,
is
not
service
related,
but
I
mean
I
served
my
time.
I
crushed
the
hand
and
now
I'm
having
problems,
but
I'm
still,
I
have
to
reapply
reapply
reapply
to
fight
for
the
benefits.
C
Well
well,
thank
you
commander.
Your
perspective
is
very
important.
Thank
you
for
being
with
us.
Thank
you
for
testifying,
and
we
always
we
always
appreciate
your
tremendous
leadership
in
in
I
love
going
over
to
the
kata
post
several
times
a
year,
they're
they're
wonderful
people
over
there,
wonderful
veterans,
so
I
just
want
to
say
thank
you
to
you
commander.
A
Shane
counselor
flynn,
if,
if
I
may,
I
I
want
to
publicly
thank
meredith
meredith
for
all
her
work.
I
know
I've
seen
firsthand
the
contributions
that
she
has
given
to
the
community
and
her
impact
to
the
community
and
the
veterans
community
and
in
her
present
role
over
there,
with
with
the
harvard
medical,
so
meredith.
Thank
you
very
much
for
all
you've
done
and
continue
to
do
for
the
community
and
for
your
resilience,
and
you
know
keeping
up
the
good
fight.
C
C
So
when
I
speak
about
veterans,
I
try
to
also
speak
about
veterans
from
communities
of
color
and
women
veterans
and
especially
immigrant
veterans,
a
lot
of
immigrant
veterans.
They
may
or
may
not
be
citizens,
but
they're
they're
willing
to
risk
their
life
for
our
country
and
they
they
certainly
deserve
and
earn
earn
the
respect
of
of
all
of
us.
C
F
C
Thank
you,
carolyn
and
I
I
know
the
exact
exhibit
in
jamaica
plain.
That's
where
I
get
all
my
medical
care.
If
you
look
on
my
twitter
over
the
last
30
to
60
days,
I
always
highlight
those
photos
and
I
try
to
promote
the
incredible
role
and
sacrifice
of
women
veterans.
So
it's
it's
unbelievable
to
see
those
those
photos
there
of
these
heroic
woman.
So
thank
you
for
sharing
that.
F
You're
welcome.
We
also
have
a
a
traveling
exhibit
that
we
started
and
you
may
have
seen
it
at
jamaica
plain.
It
is
now
in
west
roxbury,
it's
going
to
brockton
just
right
after
the
new
year
and
then
we'll
go
out
to
the
community,
and
I
would
love
to
bring
it
to
to
city
hall
or
someplace
similar
to
that,
and
it
highlights
the
photos
and
the
stories
of
10
women
veterans
from
massachusetts
that
have
served
honorably
and-
and
we
can
talk
about
that
offline.
Maybe
sometime.
C
A
Thank
you,
counselor
flynn.
This
is
a
great
first
start.
I
think
here
in
the
city
of
boston,
in
getting
this
conversation
about
women
veterans
and
the
care
that
they
not
just
need
but
deserve
and
have
earned.
I
also
wanted
to
take
this
opportunity.
You
know
counselor
flynn,
you
mentioned
the
sacrifices
of
our
women
veterans.
A
One
of
the
first
nurses
that
was
killed
in
world
war
ii
was
francis
slanger,
and
she
was
a
nurse
that
took
care
of
of
our
soldiers
days
days
after
d-day
in
the
d-day
landing
in
normandy
and
she
was
killed
by
a
shrapnel
from
a
german
artillery
that
that
hit
the
area
that
she
was
in.
There
is
a
a
hero
square
in
her
honor
and
it's
located
in
matapan.
A
So
what
I'm
planning
to
do
is
actually
have
an
award
named
after
her
should
be
given
to
someone
in
the
community
and
also
in
march
I'll.
Do
we
do
a
rededication
of
that
hero
square?
Also,
I
wanted
to
mention-
and
I
membered
is
part
of
the
enzo
isro
part
of
the
women's
veterans
network
they're,
having
their
16th
annual
conference
coming
up
soon.
This
is
their
conference.
A
Is
a
week-long
event,
starting
with
in-person
kickoff
at
dunn
state
park
and
they're
also
going
to
have
a
hybrid
zoom
link
as
well
they're
going
to
have
a
lot
of
full
care
activities.
I
don't
see
the
date
on
here.
Oh
there,
it
is
it's
on
starts
november,
13th
from
100
to
1400
on
saturday's,
a
kickoff
event.
If
you
want
any
other
additional
information,
you
can
go
to
the
women's
veterans
network,
mass
dot,
org
of
more
information
on
that
or
you
could
get
a
hold
of
me
or
or
our
webpage.
A
I'm
going
to
put
this
up
on
our
webpage
at
boston.gov
veterans,
so
it's
a
great
opportunity
for
women
veterans
to
again
network
and
also
and
also
go
and
enjoy
the
conference
that
they're
having
it's
going
to
include
power,
yoga
self-care
initiatives
and
things
of
that
nature.
So
I
encourage
all
women
veterans
to
to
be
a
part
of
this
other
than
that.
I
look
forward
to
the
continued
partnership
with
everyone
on
this
call
with
councillor
edwards
you
counselor
flynn.
A
Of
course,
you've
been
not
only
a
shipmate
and
a
brother
as
a
navy
veteran,
but
also
well
I'm
a
great
advocate
of
our
veterans
and
it's
it's
an
honor
and
a
pleasure
working
with
you
and
caroline.
Thank
you
for
all.
You
do
at
the
va
I'll
give
my
regards
to
director
eng.
If
you
see
him
and
you
have
a
great
facility
over
there,
it
was
great
to
be
part
of
the
the
cutting
the
ribbon-cutting
ceremony
a
couple
of
months
ago.
We
should
have
been
taking.
A
C
E
E
C
Yeah
thank
thank
you.
Council
edwards.
I
really
appreciate
the
working
relationship
with
you
on
on
these
important
issues
and
council
edwards.
You
know
what
I
would
do
is
put
this
in
committee
and
have
a
working
session
so
that
we
can
continue
talking
about
about
this.
This
discussion
this
subject
and
coming
up
with
some
more
solutions
and
bringing
more
people
involved,
so
I'll
probably
have
a
working
session
sometime
in
the
future.
C
B
Thank
you,
councillor
flynn,
and
thank
you
to
the
committee
councillor
edwards.
Your
your
statements
about
your
moms
is
amazing.
I
worked
with
a
lot
of
of
of
great
women
in
my
air
force
career
and
they
used
to
joke
all
the
time
with
us
and
they
would
say
you
guys
have
it
easy,
because
when
I
get
finished
with
you
guys,
I
have
to
go
home
and
take
care
of
my
little
guys.
So
my
day
never
ends.
B
So
it's
a
constant
battle
and
to
hear
your
story
actually
to
be
totally
honest
with
you.
It
may
be
kind
of
emotional
because
I
think
that
the
the
the
needs
of
our
women
veterans
are
so
great
and
they,
the
challenge,
is
big
enough,
but
you
know
having
to
deal
with
it
in
a
lot
of
cases
on
your
own
is
is
is
incredible,
and
I
think
that
this
is
the
beginning.
B
You
know,
commissioner,
santiago,
and
I
have
talked
about
this
many
times
about
how
we
can
do
better-
how
we
can
get
out
there
and
help
our
women
veterans
more
and
to
identify
more.
As
many
of
you
know,
veterans,
don't
always
self-identify.
You
may
not
know
that
there's
a
veteran
out
there,
who's
in
need,
who
has
been
disillusioned
by
the
system,
who
will
not
go
to
the
va,
but
they'll
talk
to
a
friend.
B
B
You
know
when
there's
people
in
your
family
that
you
love
and
you
cherish
and
there's
people
in
your
family-
you
don't
particularly
care
for,
but
at
the
end
of
the
day,
you're
still
family.
So
when
we
serve
together,
that's
exactly
what
we
are
so
while
we're
serving
together
we're
family,
but
we
need
to
remain
a
family
when
we
leave
active
duty
so
again,
councillor
flynn,
it's
always
a
pleasure
to
work
with
you.
B
We've
been
working
together
for
many
years
and
we
look
forward
to
moving
forward
and
and
also
being
able
to
come
up
with
new
and
exciting
ways
to
help
our
women
veterans
and
all
of
our
veterans
veterans
who
are
part
of
marginalized
communities.
Everything
make
sure
that,
as
the
commissioner
and
I
used
to
say
back
in
the
day
before
we
came
into
these
positions
is,
is
that
I'm
a
veteran
first
and
then
everything
else
falls
to
the
wayside.
B
You
know
they
used
to
always
say:
oh
you're,
that
gay
veteran,
no
I'm
a
veteran
who
happens
to
be
part
of
the
lgbtq
community
and
that's
what
we
live
by
so
again.
Thank
you
very
much,
counselor
and
and
and
members
of
the
committee
and
everyone
here
today,
ro
my
my
sister.
Thank
you
so
much
and
let's
just
get
it
done.
Thank
you
so
much.
C
G
I
would
thank
you,
I
just
want
to
say
get
to
know
your
I'm
sorry
get
to
know
your
vso
we're
here
to
help
we're
loud,
we're
proud
and
we're
in
the
community,
not
only
our
community,
but
our
sister
communities
as
well,
and
I
encourage
all
all
veterans,
especially
my
sister
veterans,
to
get
get
involved
with
the
women
veterans
network.
My
sister
meredith
and
my
sister
caroline
we're
doing
great
things
to
help
our
assistant
veterans
and
to
promote
women.
G
C
Well
well,
thank
you
roseanne.
Your
testimony
here
was
excellent.
We
appreciate
your
leadership.
We
respect
you
and
you've,
been
a
great
friend
to
veterans
and
to
the
city
of
boston.
Obviously
you
went
for
it,
but
boston
is
lucky
to
have
you
as
an
advocate
as
well.
Thank
you,
roseanne,
our
friend
from
the
cotter
post.
Meredith.
C
E
C
Meredith
the
commander
might
not
be
on,
but
I
just
wanted
to
first
of
all
say
I
want
to
say
thank
you
to
the
city
council,
central
staff,
for
helping
me
coordinate
this.
Thank
you
thank
you
shane,
and
to
my
city,
council
staff
as
well
for
helping
me.
Thank
you.
Thank
you
sophia.
I
want
to
thank
the
panelists
for
being
here.
I
want
to
say
thank
you
to
my
colleagues
and
to
especially
to
counselor
edwards
and
counselor
braden,
and
I
want
to
say
thank
you
to
caroline
at
the
va.
C
We're
not
giving
that
veteran
anything
should
you
earn
those
services.
So
again,
let's
continue
talking
about
this.
Let's
continue
working
on
this
and
we'll
have
another
working
session
and
I'll
try
to
invite
the
congressman,
congresswoman
congressman
clark
to
attend
and
we'll
get
some
more
women
veterans
to
testify.
Hopefully
we
can
do
it
in
person.
Maybe
city
hall
might
be
opened
in
person,
maybe
in
january
or
february,
but
I'll
keep
everybody
posted
again
want
to
say
thank
you
for
an
outstanding
hearing
and
outstanding
testimony
by
the
public
and
by
this
piano,
and
this
meeting
is
adjourned.