The Center for Women Veterans was established by Congress in November 1994 by Public Law (P.L.) 103-446.

Our Mission

• Monitor and coordinate VA’s administration of health care and benefits services, and programs for women Veterans.
• Serve as an advocate for a cultural transformation (both within VA and in the general public) in recognizing the service and contributions of women Veterans and women in the military.
• Raise awareness of the responsibility to treat women Veterans with dignity and respect.

Email:  00w@va.gov

Our Activities

• The Director serves as primary advisor to the Secretary on the Department policies, programs, and legislation that affect women Veterans.
• Monitor and coordinate with internal VA offices on their delivery of benefits and services to women Veterans.
• Liaison with other Federal agencies, state and local agencies and organizations, and non-government partners.
• Serve as a resource and referral center for women Veterans, their family and their advocates.
• Educate VA staff on women Veterans military contributions.
• Ensure that outreach materials portray and target women Veterans with images, messages, and branding in the media.
• Promote recognition of women Veterans’ military service and contributions by sponsoring activities and special events.
• Coordinate meetings of the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans.

How to Obtain Help

• Women Veterans Program Managers are located in each VA health care facility to assist women Veterans.
• Women Veterans Coordinators are located in each VA regional office.
• State Women Veterans Coordinators are located in almost all states (check your local telephone directory under state government).

Legislation Related to Women Veterans

• P.L. 106-419, "Veterans Benefits and Healthcare Improvement Act of 2000," authorized special monthly compensation for women Veterans with a service connected mastectomy.  It also authorized benefits to children born of mothers who served in Vietnam and who have certain types of birth defects.
• P.L. 107-330, "Veterans Benefits Act of 2002," authorized special monthly compensation for women Veterans who lost 25 percent or more of tissues from a single breast or both breast in combination (including loss by mastectomy or partial mastectomy) or has received radiation of breast tissues.
• P.L. 108-422, "Veterans Health Improvement Act"; authority permanently to extend Military Sexual Trauma counseling and treatment to active duty service members or active duty for training.
• P.L. 110-186, "Military Reservist and Veterans Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act" established a Women Veterans business Training Resource Program.
• P.L. 111-163,"Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010," provides contract for a comprehensive study on barriers to health care for women Veterans, pilot program to provide group readjustment counseling in retreat settings for newly separated women combat Veterans, mandates inclusion of recently separated women on Advisory Committees for Women Veterans, and requires VHA to carry out a 2 year pilot program to assess feasibility and advisability of offering child care to Veterans.