Tallahassee, FL – The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs (FDVA) today released a public service announcement honoring Florida’s more than 140,000 women veterans and the many hats they wear in military and civilian life. Unveiled in the Florida Senate chamber as part of a ceremony to honor Florida’s veterans, the PSA highlights the many roles women play in the military while also serving as wives, mothers, sisters and daughters.
“As more women answer the call to defend our country, it is important to recognize their contributions and the roles they’ve played in our country’s history,” said Mike Prendergast, executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “It is my sincerest hope that our women in uniform – current and past – feel honored and know that the FDVA is here to serve them, just as they’ve served our country.”
Florida is home to the third largest population of women veterans in the nation, one of the fastest growing segments of the veterans’ population. Of the approximately 22 million living veterans nationwide, about 1.9 million – one in 12 – are women.
The PSA highlights the critical roles women have played in America’s military history through a montage of images that depict these women as pilots, nurses and mechanics as well as wives and mothers.
“From the very beginning women veterans have worn many hats – army berets and nurses caps; aviator helmets and Morse code headgear. The hats reflect the roles they played, from nurses and radio operators to pilots and mechanics,” the PSA says. “Serving their families, defending our country. We honor all of the hats you wear.”
The PSA was created to coincide with the national Women’s History Month and is available for viewing on the FDVA’s website: floridavets.org.
###