Your COURAGE.<\/p>\n
Your STAMINA.<\/p>\n
Your GRACE.<\/p>\n
Your COURAGE, \u00a0<\/p>\n
made all this happen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
More than thanks,<\/p>\n
Patty<\/p>\n
Rep. Jackie Speier, we salute you.\u00a0<\/p>\n I was \u00a0with Terri Odom to support her through this important event. It was an honor to meet so many of our face book friends face to face in real time…over dinner, at the news conference, and at lunch after.<\/p>\n Courageous survivors who speak out…you are the reason this issue has come, at long last, into the light.—brave men and women \u00a0continue to serve us all.<\/p>\n Many thanks,<\/p>\n Patty<\/p>\n click below to watch the press conference<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=g_TyI9yn8zQ<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n NYC \u00a0private screening post parade…audience mostly civilian with a proud contingent of vets with service dogs…Mariette with us and Sue there via\u00a0skype\u00a0..Holly Fancher in the audience radiating the same glow she does in the film…..cannot convey how deeply moved everyone was and how, without exception, they said they were were not just moved by the challenges female veterans face, but that they came away feeling hopeful, optimistic…I believe that all of you, our women veterans, through your small and huge achievements, are moving mountains…for all of us.\u00a0<\/p>\n Salute!<\/p>\n and love,<\/p>\n P<\/p>\n I have been thinking about what to say to all of you on Veterans Day. I have nothing to say but that I admire you and I love you. You deserve more than a parade and a holiday, you deserve SERVICE…now that you have marched home, or been medivaced home, or been cruelly assaulted and then discharged home. We are having a private screening in NYC today. \u00a0That is how we are observing this day in your honor. The stories that you and the women in our film tell speak volumes: stories of strong women who have had to struggle to survive…you radiate the triumph of love over betrayal. So, thank you… for many things, in particular, the honor of your company.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I have just returned from a day at Slippery Rock University, organized by Mike Crum, a Marine vet, that was wonderful. I went with Kim and her service dog, Toby. In addition to screening, we met so many wonderful people…special thanks to Mike for bringing together the women’s studies dept., the sociology department, local VA representatives, and many students whose consciousness he wanted to see be raised. It was a great event and Mike is the kind of man who represents the best of the veteran community. A true advocate…I mean, WOW, Mike brought a film about women veterans to his school!<\/span><\/p>\n A salute to you!<\/p>\n Patty<\/p>","tags":["news"]},{"id":"12583316781","url":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/12583316781","url-with-slug":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/12583316781\/until-the-end-of-festival-season-and-a-secure","type":"regular","date-gmt":"2011-11-10 02:39:00 GMT","date":"Wed, 09 Nov 2011 21:39:00","bookmarklet":0,"mobile":0,"feed-item":"","from-feed-id":0,"unix-timestamp":1320892740,"format":"html","reblog-key":"GdcgHi6R","slug":"until-the-end-of-festival-season-and-a-secure","regular-title":null,"regular-body":" Until the end of festival season and a secure television airdate, we are not having any public screenings, but we have had these private test screenings which went very well.<\/p>\n 11\/11\/11<\/strong><\/p>\n Private Screening after the Veterans Day Parade for friends of the project<\/em><\/p>\n 11\/8\/11<\/strong> 10\/27\/11 10\/28\/11 \u00a0Just a quick note about our trip to DC. We were enthusiastically received by the advisory board of the Center for Women Veterans. It is an advocacy program run within the VA. The idea for the screening was initiated by Dr. Betty Moseley Brown and we received a warm welcome from the center director, IreneTrowell-Harris and the board members who are advocates for women vets from all over the country. They were all extremely enthusiastic about SERVICE and will try to help us get it out to all of you. We were really impressed by Colonel Ines White, Military Director DACOWITS. Christina Roof came to support us. She joined us for a bite afterward to celebrate.\u00a0 The next day we went to the WREI conference. There we were wowed by an Australian airforce Wing Commander Dee Gibbon, a pilot who is working to find a way to attract more women to flying. There were lots of talks on changing military culture to deal with MST and everyone was dismayed that in 20 years there has not been a lot more progress. Some of the presenters were women professors who teach in the officer training military academies. That in itself is good for women and they talked about training men and women about the myths people tell themselves about rape. There is a new class on women in the military at the U.S.Naval Academy as well.S.W.A.N. was represented and emphasized how change can only come with accountability and changes needed to make that become a reality . We met a lovely writer,producer, professor,Laura Browder who gave a great presentation and is working on a documentary about Moms in the military. Marcia got 2 minutes to pitch SERVICE and we both had a meet and greet with people in the lobby of the Women’s Memorial.<\/span><\/p>\n Throughout our DC visit, we met women working in every organization with which many of you are experiencing tremendous frustration, and many of these amazing woman are dedicating themselves, exhausting themselves… trying to address the problems you are struggling with…I make no apologies for any lack of service any woman who has served experiences, but I can tell you they watched our film…which ain’t pollyanna …it is a tough film…we go there…and they were relieved to see the issues getting out there… Last night, soon after return from DC , \u00a0Marcia and I went to an event in NYC honoring Mrs. Patricia Shinseki, wife of Secretary of the VA, Eric K. Shinseki. We had an opportunity to discuss our project with Secretary Shinseki and we were very impressed by the depth of his interest and willingness to help. He is very concerned about ways in which the VA is not meeting your needs. We were in a room of suits, all waiting in line to meet him, and he took a lot of time listening to us and sharing his thoughts about how important these issues are and giving us advice.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span>Next? \u00a0Winging our way to a screening with Q&A\/discussion after at Slippery Rock University, just outside Pittsburgh.\u00a0<\/p>\n one more phew, Hello friends.<\/p>\n This interview with a male MST survivor, is best introduced with these words from Lorrie Bunes, the wife of another man who survived MST:(<\/span>and thank you for this Lorrie)<\/p>\n “<\/span><\/span>When a person male or female is assaulted it changes their identity. The violation is part of them and they no longer trust their own instincts when judging a situation or the people around them. Its almost as if from that point forward they become a spectator in life hoping and praying that they will be safe. Some choose to cocoon themselves with familiar and safe surroundings but it affects them, their families, their children their entire way of existing. I think that the hardest part is watching the person you love just exist. It is a helpless feeling to try all you can to reassure a victim of MST that the world is not a horrible place and that there is hope.” http:\/\/www.servicethefilm.com\/Wayne%20MEND%20MST%2010%2013%20logic.mp3<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n Thank you, Wayne…and thanks to all of you who have survived MST and shared your stories. Your courage will make it better for those who follow in your boots!<\/p>\n Patty<\/p>","tags":["stories"]},{"id":"10424998396","url":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/10424998396","url-with-slug":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/10424998396\/support-with-outreach-partners","type":"regular","date-gmt":"2011-09-20 01:02:00 GMT","date":"Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:02:00","bookmarklet":0,"mobile":0,"feed-item":"","from-feed-id":0,"unix-timestamp":1316480520,"format":"html","reblog-key":"s5aaQFIW","slug":"support-with-outreach-partners","regular-title":"Support with outreach partners!","regular-body":" \u00a0Victoria Wegwert and Cassaundra StJohn who created F7,\u00a0http:\/\/www.F7GROUP.com\/<\/a><\/a>\u00a0 \u00a0F7 recognizes and believes in the courage, value and abilities of Female Veterans and Women In & Beside the Uniform. They are successful business women who collaborate and provide business services to empower the Female Veterans and Women who serve our country in many capacities to engage her entrepreneurial pursuits!<\/p>\n Thank you, sisters!!<\/p>","tags":["news"]},{"id":"9627910773","url":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/9627910773","url-with-slug":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/9627910773\/on-more-time-the-power-of-the-sisternet","type":"regular","date-gmt":"2011-08-31 15:17:45 GMT","date":"Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:17:45","bookmarklet":0,"mobile":0,"feed-item":"","from-feed-id":0,"unix-timestamp":1314803865,"format":"html","reblog-key":"tRPBoyGU","slug":"on-more-time-the-power-of-the-sisternet","regular-title":"On more time: The power of the sisternet","regular-body":" During the hurricane, a female veteran \u00a0was traveling away from the coast with her young children. She stopped in a motel and the next morning at breakfast,\u00a0because a child dropped a bit of food and spilled some maple syrup,\u00a0she was screamed at, called “poor white trash” and told to leave. Her facebook friends were outraged and the incident went viral.<\/p>\n After several conversations I had with the local hotel manager, the folks there the next day, and \u00a0finally, the top of the food chain, the head of PR for the corporation that owns the hotel chain, I reached someone who got it. He agreed with me that the incident was, essentially, a hate crime against a woman. Many of the female veterans in our groups were triggered by the event and the unfolding of the story. I want to post my final thoughts about it here.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here’s to the power of our network!!<\/p>\n Love, Patty<\/p>\n If you are here and reading this, you are already a member of one of our open\/closed FB groups, or one of the many wonderful people who have served and continue to serve, or one of the many folks we have interviewed, or a friend of the project. Marcia and I are still going 24\/7 on all the final touches, but as it turns to Fall we will Spring forward…and a big thank you to Tamara Olson, the brilliant designer of this website. Thank you, Tamara for giving your gifts to all of us.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n !!<\/span><\/p>\n Patty<\/span><\/p>","tags":["news"]},{"id":"7999675378","url":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/7999675378","url-with-slug":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/7999675378\/moving-on-passages","type":"regular","date-gmt":"2011-07-23 04:00:00 GMT","date":"Sat, 23 Jul 2011 00:00:00","bookmarklet":0,"mobile":0,"feed-item":"","from-feed-id":0,"unix-timestamp":1311393600,"format":"html","reblog-key":"TaoW3V2B","slug":"moving-on-passages","regular-title":"moving on...passages...","regular-body":" Marcia and I have been putting the final touches on the film. We have screened for other film makers we respect, outstanding \u00a0journalists, some of whom were Marcia’s students long ago, and our brilliant lawyer who has been checking films and novels with a legal eye for years. Without exception, at every screening of our non-final non-locked versions of the film…even when they had critical suggestions…everyone was deeply moved. There was always a moment of stunned silenced following the end of the film and always the statement that they had learned so much and were quite overwhelmed by their feelings.<\/p>\n August \u00a0will be about color correction and final mixes and then the next phase, distribution, begins. We will be entering film festivals, hoping for an air date on a network, and MOST IMPORTANTLY looking to organizations that support veterans to support our getting the film out to all of you…at no charge to you…to be used in the VA, outside the VA, wherever you gather to talk and heal.<\/p>\n None of this possible without you and your service. Hopefully, this project \u00a0will continue to be part of your getting more and more of the services you are owed in return.<\/p>\n My birthday wish is that the film really gets out there and touches a huge civilian audience. A civilian can never fully understand what you have gone through, but they can make a lot of noise about how outrageous it is whenever those who have served are not served. Your stories will touch their hearts. The heart bone is connected to the brain bone is \u00a0connected to the vote bone ,the write bone, the demonstrate bone.<\/p>\n Love,<\/p>\n Patty<\/p>","tags":["news"]},{"id":"7383259266","url":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/7383259266","url-with-slug":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/7383259266\/the-strength-of-our-sisternet-our-group-on-fb-ii","type":"regular","date-gmt":"2011-07-08 14:47:01 GMT","date":"Fri, 08 Jul 2011 10:47:01","bookmarklet":0,"mobile":0,"feed-item":"","from-feed-id":0,"unix-timestamp":1310136421,"format":"html","reblog-key":"aVjtXFTm","slug":"the-strength-of-our-sisternet-our-group-on-fb-ii","regular-title":"The strength of our sisternet: our group on FB II","regular-body":" Yesterday we heard that one of the women in our film and in our FB group, who had been admitted to a hospital for suicidal ideation\u00a0, was being transferred back to her base where \u00a0her rapist is also stationed.\u00a0The hospital had told her she would be transferred to a special facility with a program for women who had suffered MST. They abruptly informed her yesterday that they had determined that the cause of her suicidal feelings was a childhood trauma and declared it a pre-existing condition.<\/p>\n \u00a0Within two hours our group had gotten in touch with senators, representatives, advocates and an ombudsman.\u00a0<\/p>\n I salute the women in our facebook group. There are no words for the disgust I feel. This is not just bad care\/shirking responsibility, it is one more incidence of a female soldier being abused by those she had counted upon to protect her. The film is almost finished, but the project continues— as it will forever. The world is watching.<\/p>","tags":["news"]},{"id":"6864880164","url":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/6864880164","url-with-slug":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/6864880164\/re-new-ed-facebook-group-page","type":"regular","date-gmt":"2011-06-24 14:12:07 GMT","date":"Fri, 24 Jun 2011 10:12:07","bookmarklet":0,"mobile":0,"feed-item":"","from-feed-id":0,"unix-timestamp":1308924727,"format":"html","reblog-key":"uzoTxCjb","slug":"re-new-ed-facebook-group-page","regular-title":"(re)New(ed) Facebook Group Page","regular-body":" Be kind, no drama, have respect and join in!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/home.php?sk=group_123939704357860&ap=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n This Facebook group page is designed to share information,support and connect veterans with disabilities, as well as promote the documentary project SERVICE. By participating in this forum, I acknowledge the risk, harm or injury that may occur on the SERVICE: For Disabled Female Veterans Facebook Group. I hereby release SERVICE: For Disabled Female Vets Group, its officers, employees, or agents from any liability, costs and damages resulting from this individual’s participation. <\/span><\/p>\n Because of some inflammatory language on our page, one of the participants in that discussion was threatened and asked that our page be shut down.\u00a0 We have decided to take a break and freeze the group temporarily ourselves.\u00a0 We feel that, even in jest, you can\u2019t make threats. We also understand that the discussion triggered many of you.<\/p>\n We will be back soon with the documentary and a renewed conversation based on that through facebook.\u00a0 Social networking is wonderful and free, but as we now know, treacherous as well and comments are easily written and misunderstood.\u00a0 We are working on creating a safe haven for you.<\/p>\n Your input to us will be valuable and we\u2019ll reflect your concerns and lives.\u00a0 Marcia and I\u00a0 are now going into a deep work mode on the documentary so the breather is timely.\u00a0 We hope to meet all of you at screenings this Fall and need your help to set them up.\u00a0 We want to ROCK with this film and you are the ones to make it happen.<\/p>\n Rock Stotter<\/p>","tags":["news"]},{"id":"5746876629","url":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/5746876629","url-with-slug":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/5746876629\/the-strength-of-our-sisternet-our-group-on-fb","type":"regular","date-gmt":"2011-05-22 22:29:00 GMT","date":"Sun, 22 May 2011 18:29:00","bookmarklet":0,"mobile":0,"feed-item":"","from-feed-id":0,"unix-timestamp":1306103340,"format":"html","reblog-key":"mGYRlRjW","slug":"the-strength-of-our-sisternet-our-group-on-fb","regular-title":"the strength of our sisternet: our group on FB","regular-body":" Yesterday, one of our sisters posted a desperate plea for help. Within\u00a0<\/span>24 hours , with the help and support of our group of very abled women veterans, the experience of exponential healing through a network of love and generosity was dramatically revealed…you all just amaze me…what an honor it is to know you…go to our FB group and check it out…from homeless, alienated and desperate to settled, supported and served… from sister veterans, female chaplains, concerned civilians to the legislative director…sisterhood was revealed, yet again, to be the best hood.<\/p>\n for those of you signed onto facebook…here it is:<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/home.php?sk=group_114059878626753&view=permalink&id=212879428744797<\/a><\/p>","tags":["news"]},{"id":"5270332109","url":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/5270332109","url-with-slug":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/5270332109\/mothers-day","type":"regular","date-gmt":"2011-05-07 12:14:49 GMT","date":"Sat, 07 May 2011 08:14:49","bookmarklet":0,"mobile":0,"feed-item":"","from-feed-id":0,"unix-timestamp":1304770489,"format":"html","reblog-key":"oDIM1QZP","slug":"mothers-day","regular-title":"Mother's Day","regular-body":" ok…it’s the day before mother’s day and I want to tell all of you…my sisters, my daughters….the fact that so many of you have served so courageously, suffered such profound injury, and you still have to fight to get the service you deserve infuriates me, and I cannot tell you how much pleasure it gives me to check our facebook group and see how you have each other’s backs. Happy mother’s day to all of us as we mother and are mothered by each other. Sisterhood Rocks<\/span><\/p>","tags":["news"]},{"id":"4285564816","url":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/4285564816","url-with-slug":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/4285564816\/our-trip-to-the-hill-dc","type":"regular","date-gmt":"2011-04-02 16:06:00 GMT","date":"Sat, 02 Apr 2011 12:06:00","bookmarklet":0,"mobile":0,"feed-item":"","from-feed-id":0,"unix-timestamp":1301760360,"format":"html","reblog-key":"FXBA1ka2","slug":"our-trip-to-the-hill-dc","regular-title":"Our Trip to the Hill: DC","regular-body":" The trip\u00a0was amazing. BriGette began by arranging a meeting with a FB friend, Layla Mansberger, who shared her story with us. Capturing the moment when Layla changed from a virtual FB friend of the project into a real time get together was fantastic. Layla also spoke to us about upcoming activities of Fatigues Clothesline, a tremendous support group for those veterans who have suffered MST. First we filmed, \u00a0hung out and had a lot of fun. The next day we were in the hearings on the hill where \u00a0disabled veterans and leaders of their Veterans Groups presented testimony and addressed questions to the folks we put in office. After that we dashed to interview Dr. Patty Hayes, head of Womens Health for the VA, where they \u00a0allowed cameras and gave BriGette the opportunity to address all her concerns. So, it was an amazing trip, and it was our final big location shoot for the film. Now, Marcia and I will be working 24\/7 to have the film finished by the end of June.<\/p>\n Thank you BriGette and Layla for sharing your stories…still serving others with courage and generosity. You rock!<\/p>\n Patty<\/p>","tags":["news"]},{"id":"4062291653","url":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/4062291653","url-with-slug":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/4062291653\/a-visit-with-brigette-ilene-mccoy-off-to-dc","type":"regular","date-gmt":"2011-03-24 11:39:00 GMT","date":"Thu, 24 Mar 2011 07:39:00","bookmarklet":0,"mobile":0,"feed-item":"","from-feed-id":0,"unix-timestamp":1300966740,"format":"html","reblog-key":"3UieCZO7","slug":"a-visit-with-brigette-ilene-mccoy-off-to-dc","regular-title":"A visit with BriGette Ilene McCoy & off to DC","regular-body":" We have been busy. Many of you already know\u00a0BriGette, having met her through VETWOW, Susan Avila Smith and many other social networking sites.\u00a0After Spending\u00a0time with\u00a0BriGette, meeting her kids, her dog and sharing in her life for a bit, we are heading for DC. BriGette will have an opportunity to address her concerns to some of the people who make and shape the policies that affect YOU.<\/p>\n Patty<\/p>","tags":["news"]},{"id":"3427429938","url":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/3427429938","url-with-slug":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/3427429938\/seattle-womens-clinic-a-good-news-exception-to-the","type":"regular","date-gmt":"2011-02-21 18:19:00 GMT","date":"Mon, 21 Feb 2011 13:19:00","bookmarklet":0,"mobile":0,"feed-item":"","from-feed-id":0,"unix-timestamp":1298312340,"format":"html","reblog-key":"kWNQ9hwN","slug":"seattle-womens-clinic-a-good-news-exception-to-the","regular-title":"Seattle Women's Clinic: a good news exception to the problems so many of you face when you visit your VA!","regular-body":" These photos are from our shoot at the Washington State VA. Alfie\u00a0<\/span>Alvarado-Ramos<\/span>, the Deputy Director, is doing great work for women vets. So glad we can include her work and that of therapist Bridget Cantrell in the documentary.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Moira Morel was our great cinematographer .<\/span><\/p>\n We also spent a day at the Seattle Women’s Clinic where Jan Buchannan and her team are a model for women vet healthcare.<\/span><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.servicethefilm.com\/VelmaHartInterview072910.mp3<\/a><\/a><\/p>\n Patty speaks with Velma Hart before she left AMVETS, before she became a celebrity for asking President Obama a pointed question during a press conference and before The Daily Show and The Colbert Report made her flavor of the week. Ms. Hart addresses the issues female veterans face with heart and expertise.<\/p>","tags":["stories"]}]};
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<\/p>","tags":["news"]},{"id":"9376428390","url":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/9376428390","url-with-slug":"http:\/\/servicethefilm.tumblr.com\/post\/9376428390\/patty-interviews-velma-hart","type":"regular","date-gmt":"2010-08-25 04:00:00 GMT","date":"Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00","bookmarklet":0,"mobile":0,"feed-item":"","from-feed-id":0,"unix-timestamp":1282708800,"format":"html","reblog-key":"JywOokxo","slug":"patty-interviews-velma-hart","regular-title":"Patty Interviews Velma Hart ","regular-body":"