Kentucky bill would create a Women’s Veterans’ Day

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A bill introduced by State Representative Patti Minter of Bowling Green is moving through the state legislature. It would create a day to honor women veterans.

The bill received a unanimous vote Thursday in the Kentucky House State Government Committee.

House Bill 318 would designate June 12 as Women Veterans’ Day in Kentucky.

According to a press release, women veterans continue to experience the fastest-growing rate of homelessness among all veterans. A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development report from 2017 showed that the homelessness rate increased among women veterans by 7 percent in the previous year, compared to 1 percent for their male counterparts.

Many women veterans also face lasting trauma from continued high rates of sexual violence in the armed forces according to the press release.

Studies have shown that one in four women in the military experience sexual assault or harassment during their service, creating physical and mental health problems that persist after their service has ended according to the press release.

“I am honored to sponsor this bill, and I’m grateful to my colleagues in both parties for moving this bill forward with unanimous approval,” Minter said. “Women serve our country honorably, and they deserve a special day for us to recognize their courage as well as the challenges they face.”

There are 25,000 women veterans in Kentucky, according to the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs.