Hundreds Attend Ohio Women Veterans Conference

Article Presented By Chillicothe VAMC

The 2022 Ohio Women Veterans Conference was worth the wait.

Last held in 2019, the biennial event was on the books to resume in 2021 but eventually cancelled because of health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the conference returned in grand fashion on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, as approximately 300 women veterans from throughout Ohio and nearby states gathered at the Ohio Union on the campus of The Ohio State University for a day filled with special guest speakers, breakout sessions, a luncheon, wellness activities, a resource expo, and networking opportunities.

Ohio Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, Secretary of State Frank LaRose, and Ohio Department of Veterans Services Director Deborah Ashenhurst were featured speakers during the opening ceremony in the morning, and MAJ Kimberly Snow and MSG Desiree Layne addressed a filled Archie M. Griffin Grand Ballroom during the luncheon to discuss the efforts of the military’s Female Engagement Teams.

One of the breakout sessions centered on education and employment benefits for veterans and featured input from Ohio General Manager Jim Evers of Intel, Jared Shank of the Ohio Department of Higher Ed, and ODVS Workforce Manager Ryan Blackburn. Other sessions touched on topics such as healthcare, mentorship, transition out of the military, entrepreneurship, apprenticeship, and maximizing VA benefits.

In addition to the many breakout sessions, the conference featured a large expo, a smaller job and education-centric expo, a women’s military uniform exhibit, CVSO information, and the HER2 Room for Health, Empowerment, Restoration, and Relaxation. Attendees also had access to a special showing of “The SixTripleEight” documentary about the all-black female battalion that served in the European Theater during World War II.

Director Ashenhurst wrapped up the daylong event with words of gratitude and a salute to those who served. Also offering remarks was Angela Beltz, chair of the Ohio Women Veterans Advisory Committee. Ohio is home to approximately 67,000 women veterans – and we thank them all for their service and dedication to our nation.

You can find our On The Road video that encapsulates the day on YouTube and at OhioVets.gov. Also, the conference has been captured in pictures in our Flickr Album.