Welcome, Women Veterans of New Mexico!

Happy New Year!

I wish everyone a blessed and peaceful year. This year promises to be even more eventful for our organization than last year. I invite you to get involved as we continue our outreach to meet the needs of our sister veterans throughout the state.

Last year, we participated in the Farmington and Albuquerque Women Veterans Conferences, Albuquerque Homeless Stand Down, numerous Veterans Day Celebrations, Cancer Walks, Pow Wow, ALS Walk, Henderson House Celebration (transition house for homeless women veterans and those with children), Tribute to Women in the Military luncheon, Sandia Labs Veterans Celebration, and the fall Military Women's Luncheon.

Our Honor Guard presented the colors in some of these events. Members walked and rode in the Albuquerque Veterans Day Parade for the first time this past year. We look forward to a more decked-out float and more members participating this year. You can see photographs under the pictures tab soon.

Last year we were able to assist more women with emergency needs and transition into their own places. I want to thank all those who donated furniture and household to make this happen. Late last year, we received our federal non-profit status, which allows us to provide tax deductible letters for donations and donated items. With more Soldiers, Marines, Airwomen and Coasties coming back from Iraq, we can use all the support we can get to meet their potential needs.

If you’re not already a member, this is a personal invitation to join us and make a difference with your talents and memberships. Your membership dues go to accomplish our missions of supporting and advocating for our sister veterans.

Your organization is on the move – come be a part of it!

Patricia (Pat) Gaston   505-610-0787
Women Veterans of New Mexico, President
US Army (Retired)

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Your Board
Elections were held January 14, 2012 at our Annual Membership Meeting! 
     WVNM welcomes Laurel Burnett, Sonia Jefferson, Katie Keaty and Joan Wittig to the Board. Pat Gaston, Joni Seymour
and Sofie Maestas are remaining on the Board. We wish to thank past Board members Diana Wong, Jan Herbert-Starkey, and Myra Powers for their time and hard work serving on the Board making Women Veterans of New Mexico the great organization it has become!  
     At the next Board meeting, the Board members will vote on the best person to serve in the positions listed below:       (to be noted after meeting)
      President - 
      Vice President - 
      Treasurer - 
      Secretary - 
      Sargeant-At-Arms - 
      Director -

If you are interested in helping Board members by joining a Committee, please contact Pat Gaston 505-610-0787
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                        Please feel free to review our 
                      2011-2012 MEETING MINUTES

2012
January -Annual February March April  May   June
July August September October November  December 
2011
January Annual February
No mtg 
March  April
No mtg 
May
No mtg 
June 
July  August  September   October November  December 



Hear about Women Veterans in an interview on October 10, 2011 on KASA-TV. Watch the video here: 

Women Veterans of New Mexico: kasa.com

 

ORDER YOUR T-SHIRT NOW!!
 
We have Women Veterans
of New Mexico T-Shirts!!

Complete an order form online,
print and mail with your check or money order!!

 Logo with Blue Zia
"Women Are Veterans Too!"
 White logo-"Women Are Veterans Too!"

Pocket-size "Proudly She Served" logo


 
Membership Meetings are held quarterly, 2nd Saturday.

Join us for our Annual Meeting and Elections!!

Date: January 14, 2012     Time:   11 a.m.
Location: Furr's Fresh Buffet, 6111 San Mateo, Albuquerque 87109  
For more information:   Pat Gaston 
Phone:   505-610-0787   
pgvulcan@yahoo.com 

HENDERSON HOUSE FOR WOMEN VETERANS IS OPEN!

The YWCA's Henderson House provides housing for women vets and their children.  Space is still available. If you know of potential women veteran candidates, please contact Andrea Nash at the YWCA (see below).

For continuing operations, we need your help.  If you are able to assist, please donate.  You could also help by spreading the word.  You can pledge on line,  in a lump sum or by monthly deductions. This house is the first in the nation and will provide a home environment for women who have served our country and now need our help.  I encourage you to go to the website at www.ywca-nm.org, click "donate".

If you can donate your time, we need drivers to take our women veterans to doctor appointments or to do a 'fire watch' at the home so everyone doesn't have to go to one person's appointment.

For more info, contact Andrea Nash, YWCA, Vice President at
(505) 254-9922 or email anash@ywca-nm.org

Special Thank You's to our members who helped paint and 'make ready' the YWCA Henderson House!! Check out the pictures of Henderson House to see what we've helped accomplish!!
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Women Veterans License Plate is Available!
Order your special license plate from the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) in Santa Fe.  Their website has a picture of the Women Veteran License plate (see http://www.mvd.newmexico.gov/Vehicles/Pages/License-Plates.aspx#Military). You can fill out the Veteran License Plate form on line (Click here to open the form), or print the blank form and hand-fill in. Mark the box for "WOMAN VETERAN" and pay the noted, one-time only fee. Then complete the steps as described on the form (attach proof of service/DD214), etc. Again, only Santa Fe's MVD has the plates at this time.

Upcoming Activities:

Jan 27: KKOB 770AM Radio will host NMDVS Secretary Hale and Deputy Secretary Alan Martinez  - 9-10a.m.

The Secretary and Deputy Secretary are scheduled to discuss veteran-related legislation introduced so far in the 2012 State Legislature, and will also provide updates on state and federal veterans’ issues and programs. Time permitting, the two are also scheduled to answer phone calls from listeners. The phone number to call-in with a question is (505) 243-3333.

If you miss the program, you can find it later streamed at
http://www.770kkob.com/
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Feb 6:    Military & Veterans   
                Appreciation Day
                     8 am - 1 pm
         Santa Fe Capitol Rotunda

All active-duty personnel, veterans, their families and anyone with an interest in military or veterans’ issues are invited to the annual Military and Veterans’ Appreciation Day at the State Legislature.

Military & Veterans’ Day at the State Legislature is the annual day during the Legislative Session presented by the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services and the New Mexico Department of Military Affairs to encourage military personnel, veterans, their families, and anyone with an interest in military or veterans’ issues to attend the Legislative Session, meet other veterans, and meet and discuss issues and concerns with their legislators.

New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services Secretary Timothy Hale and
New Mexico National Guard Adjutant General Kenny Montoya will lead a tribute to members of the Armed Forces Reserve Units and the New Mexico National Guard at a special noon ceremony in the Rotunda to honor our soldiers and veterans. An invitation has also been extended to Governor Susana Martinez to address the crowd and honor these and all men and women who have served in the Armed Forces. Invitations have also been extended to all legislators to attend the ceremony and meet with veterans.
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Feb 27: UNM Hosts a Veteran's Outreach Program open to Individuals On-campus and the Community - 9-10:30a.m. 
Part of this program is providing sessions on how to apply for staff positions at UNM. Staff Recruitment Services is partnering with Career Services to present on how to navigate the UNMJobs application system, applying transferrable skills to your application and resume, writing an effective resume and cover letter, and interviewing skills.

  • REGISTER:  UNM Client Services at 277-2013 to attend
  • Location: John and June Perovich Business Center
  • 1700 Lomas Blvd NE, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am
  • Inquire about parking permit for your visit

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Albuquerque SCORE offers free business counseling and seminars in learning how to start your own business or learn more about how to run the one you have  www.albuquque.score.org
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Order your Personnel Records/Discharge Certificate
Click here for more information, instructions and links.
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MILITARY STRESS RELIEF PROJECT
AT THE ALBUQUERQUE VETERANS ACUPUNCTURE CLINIC
Weekly community-style acupuncture treatments available to active duty, national guard, and reserve, and veterans of military service and immediate family members. Weekly acupuncture treatments have allowed many military service personnel to experience diminishing symptoms of stress resulting in better sleep, less anger, reduced anxiety and depression, and subsequently, an improved quality of life.

There is no charge for treatment at this clinic, but donations welcome. Click here for Contact and more information.
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Presbyterian Medical Services (PMS)
Veteran and Family Support Services
provides comprehensive intake, assessment, treatment and referrals for NM veterans and their families living with the effects of military service, deplo9yment, and coming home. Providing services in support of trauma and relatyed issues vetrans and their families face including substance abuse, depression, anger, domestic violence, and social and economic challenges. More information here or contact: Lora Smalley, NC, LMFT Clinical Therapist VFSS, 1-877-929-9797 lora_smalley@pmsnet.org. Locations in Rio Rancho, Gallup, and Farmington. 
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provides energetic treatments to individuals and families suffering from an array of ailments using various forms of oriental medical modalities. For more information, go to their website: www.grandmeridian.org

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